English Journey Revisited at The Sage Gateshead, 2010. Photograph: Louise Hepworth

In 1933, during the Great Depression, JB Priestley travelled from London to the North East to write his legendary book English Journey. His social commentary influenced the thoughts of an entire generation, inspiring George Orwell and informing both the creation of the welfare state and the birth of CND.

Over 75 years since its publication, in a new era of recession, AV Festival 10 brings together leading writers and musicians to perform moments from a contemporary journey, offering new social observations and predictions of the future. Award-winning authors and psycho-geographers IAIN SINCLAIR and ALAN MOORE undertake their own journeys across England through the darkness and light. This special North East journey draws on influences including ghosts on Lindisfarne, Morden Tower poets, the paintings of John Martin and Jimi Hendrix busking in Newcastle - invoking and re-animating these spirits and memories.

Iain Sinclair is one of Britain’s most original writers and filmmakers. Since the 1960s his work has presented a new vision of the modern city. His seminal work London Orbital was based on a walk around the M25. Alan Moore is a British writer most famous for his acclaimed work in graphic novels including the acclaimed series Watchmen, V for Vendetta and From Hell.

The performance is underscored by a specially commissioned soundscape performed by musicians:

FM EINHEIT, the percussionist and long-time band member from legendary 1980s German band Einstürzende Neubauten, renowned for playing custom-made metal instruments.

STEPHEN O'MALLEY, guitarist and founder of leading experimental and drone doom bands Sunn O))), KTL and Gravetemple.

SUSAN STENGER, leading performer of music by John Cage and Christian Wolff and co-founder of Band of Susans, The Brood, Big Bottom. Stenger has bridged the rock and art music worlds throughout her career, composing and performing for flute, electronics and electric guitar.

The event also features a new projected moving image work by visual artist GRAHAM DOLPHIN, including material gleaned from the Northern Region Film and Television Archive.

Special guests include: poets Tom Chivers and Tom Pickard the Newcastle-born poet who co-founded Morden Tower.

Co-commissioned by AV Festival 10 and Aldeburgh Music Faster Than Sound. Produced by AV Festival 10, blatfirstpetite and The Sage Gateshead

£12 / £10 concessions. Tickets available direct from The Sage Gateshead or call 0191 443 4661