A late-night showcase of music, comedy, and culture from the North East of England.
The programme was a weekly digest of regional arts and entertainment, fronted by host Trevor Fox with contributions from DJ Samantha Ross and comedian Dave Johns. Each edition featured a variety of guests, from established local musicians like John Miles and the Brendan Healy Band to poets such as Julia Darling and Peter Mortimer. The format mixed live music performances with stand-up comedy and interviews, offering a platform for local bands including STAN, Tarras, and Spraydog. A final compilation episode, The Best Of @ The Live, rounded off the run.
As a product of ITV’s regional structure, @ The Live was a valuable, if short-lived, record of the North East’s cultural scene at the turn of the millennium. The show’s eclectic booking policy created an informal, magazine-style atmosphere, placing established local figures alongside emerging talent. The combination of a host, a DJ, and a resident comedian was a clear attempt to replicate the feel of a live venue rather than a sterile television studio. It represents a style of hyper-local, late-night broadcasting that has largely disappeared from the schedules of the main terrestrial channels.
Broadcast: ITV – Tyne Tees, 7 Episodes, Fridays, 23 July 1999 – 21 January 2000
Main Performers: Trevor Fox (Host), Samantha Ross (DJ Host), Dave Johns (Comedian)
Guests included: John Miles, Brendan Healy Band, George Shovlin Blues Band, STAN, The Andrea Pattison Trio, Tarras, Peter Mortimer
