Rivkala

September 10, 2026

Rivkala is a Newcastle-based vocalist, writer and bandleader whose music mixes jazz, soul, funk and klezmer with a strong theatrical streak. Born in Manchester and now closely connected to the North East, she brings sharp social observation into songs built around warm grooves and expressive ensemble playing.

The project can move from cabaret-like storytelling into much looser jazz and soul territory, with humour and political commentary sitting alongside more personal writing. That range gives Rivkala’s six-piece band room to shift mood without losing the distinctive voice at the centre.

Newcastle has become an important home for the project, with 2026 dates including Pilgrim alongside Becca Sloan and The Globe with Ceitidh Mac and Thatcher & Knowles. Those bills reflect how naturally Rivkala sits across the city’s jazz, folk and alternative scenes rather than belonging to only one of them.