Ria Robinson

Ria Robinson and The Forum Darlington

Ria Robinson is a drummer, vocalist and music tutor closely connected to Darlington’s live music scene. She is best known locally as the host of The Forum Open Jam at The Forum Music Centre, where musicians are invited to get on stage, plug in and play in an informal full-band setting. Robinson’s role goes beyond hosting the night, with The Forum also listing her as part of its Music School team.

Her live experience stretches back more than a decade and covers a wide mix of settings. The Forum’s own profile for the Open Jam notes work in school pit bands including School of Rock and Grease The Musical, performances at Forum Musical Menageries, sessions with North East musicians and live work with function bands around the region.

Drumming, recording and live experience

Robinson’s background also includes studio and teaching work. She has recorded tracks with Chris Davison and worked in the SSL studio at ACM Guildford, while her wider performance experience has included a cruise-ship house band and a vocal appearance at The Sage, Gateshead. That range helps explain why the Forum Open Jam works as more than a simple open-mic night: Robinson has experience across drums, vocals, rehearsed bands, theatre settings and collaborative sessions.

Her connection with The Forum goes back through the venue’s youth-development work as well. Robinson appears on SongClub Unmasked, the compilation created through The Forum Music Studios’ Song Club Sessions, with writing and performance credits on tracks including Love Potion and Gotta Get Out. The release is a useful snapshot of the grassroots route that has fed into her later work at the venue.

Ria Robinson in the North East music scene

Today, Robinson sits on both sides of the local live circuit: performing and hosting on stage while also helping newer musicians develop through tuition and jam sessions. That makes her a particularly useful part of Darlington’s grassroots infrastructure, where regular practical opportunities can matter as much as headline shows.

SoundBite North East follows Robinson as part of the wider County Durham and Darlington music community. For current Open Jam dates and venue information, check The Forum Music Centre and its official event listings.