Jenny Dean
Editor, Designer, Coordinator, Writer
Since starting as a writer, and uploading various contributors’ pieces onto the website, Jenny has taken on many roles in the running of Gan On. She is the editor, coordinator, and designer, while still writing pieces for both online and print. Her initial role evolved quickly into overseeing the magazine’s editorial direction, managing the team, maintaining the website, creating graphics and content for social media, handling advertising for print editions, and designing the print issues. Jenny has a hands-on approach to Gan On and is passionate about highlighting local talent, from her own team, to the bands, artists, businesses, and venues highlighted in the project.
Kieran Whitfield
Photographer
Kieran has been involved with Gan On since mid-2025 and provides images for content both online and in print. His image is on the cover of the February 2026 print edition, and you can often find Kieran at a gig getting up close to take the best shots of the bands. He has shot for bands such as Pale Waves, and The K’s, as well as various festivals.
“Hiya, I’m Kieran, one of Gan On’s photographers. I love contributing to Gan On because of the magazine’s love for Sunderland — my home town. Outside of Gan On, I am Independent’s resident photographer and a gig rep at The Bunker. You can follow me at @kw.visualss on Instagram.”
Chris Thompson
Writer, founding member
One of the founding members of Gan On, Chris is an integral part of the team, and assists in proofreading and general advice giving. He is a musician and local dogsbody in Sunderland, supporting grassroots music through gig promotion, media coverage, and independent fundraising. Chris also founded The Stockton Road Hit Squad, which has become a well known staple of the local scene, famous for it’s tribute act line-ups and incredible fundraising achievements. He also co-hosts The Local Music Show on Spark every Sunday.
Scott Hays
Writer
“I was part of the Sunderland music scene back in the late 90’s that set the foundations in place for the music rich city that we live in today. Having taken an extended break from making and being involved in music, it seemed only fitting to support and contribute to the local music scene by writing for Gan On. You will usually find me at a Serial Bowl Records gig at Diego’s or The Museum Vaults, or wandering around Independent cursing at the lack of signage and how easy it is to get lost in there. I’m at a gig most weeks, sometimes two, or even three. My record was four gigs in one week in 2025.”
Milly Nicholson
Writer, promoter
Milly is a woman of many talents who is extremely passionate about promoting local bands and artists. She founded her business Nic Promotions to give up-and-coming artists opportunities to perform live, and she runs the local Euphony festival, which is currently in its fourth year.
“Being a promoter in the local scene, I was already pretty knowledgeable on local music, so I thought it would make sense to write about it too! Gan On is like a little family and I love getting to write creatively as part of the team.”
Alex Richings
Writer
“Hi, I’m Alex. I jumped on taking up the opportunity to contribute to the local music scene as a regular gig-goer and someone who likes to keep an ear on the kind of bands putting on shows in dingy sticky-floor hovels, and ‘is this place even open?’ venues. I’m drawn to the sound of distortion like a cartoon hobo following the steam from a cooling windowsill pie.
I love being able to see new bands arise from nothing to become something that loads of cool people know and enjoy. To be a part of this metamorphosis is very special; the rising tide lifts all boats.
Peace. Love. Heaviness.
Ebony Jade
Writer
Ebony is one of the writers for Gan On. She has had a strong passion for music since becoming a student at The Bunker in 2021, at the age of 11. Since then, Ebony has worked with bands as a studio assistant, helped at gigs, started teaching music, and formed her own band. Ebony loves Gan On because it allows her to collaborate with other creative minds, continuously learn the impact music can make, and seeing how Gan On gives local music the opportunity to be heard by a wider voice.
Erin Jones
Writer
Erin Jones is a music and culture writer covering her local scene across the North-East. A recent graduate of Northumbria University, Erin is passionate about grassroots music and is constantly searching for new ways to nurture the region’s vibrant culture. As well as Gan On, you can find her work in publications such as NARC, and Umbra, and she’s often at the barrier at a local gig in the toon.
Erin Jardine
Writer
“Hi, I’m Erin, and I’m one of the contributing writers at Gan On. I love our growing Sunderland, music scene, and I was very excited to write all about it. Whilst I have absolutely zero musical talent, I am a student journalist, and have a passion for all types of music. I love any sort of pop, glam rock, and am actually somewhat of a frequenter of the Newcastle hardcore scene. Outside of Gan On, you can find me writing for and presenting at Spark.”
John Knox
Writer
John is a contributor to Gan On and previously served as editor for several editions of the magazine. He holds a Master’s degree in Music Performance and worked as a professional touring drummer from the early 2000’s. Alongside his writing, John manages Otto, the cafe based at The Bunker. He also coordinates the Old Black Cat Jazz Club at Sunderland Minster and freelances across the region’s music scene. Over the years, he has worked as a technician for artists including Bob Harris and Kiki Dee, shared stages with Shayne Ward and Atomic Kitten, and helped himself — on more than one occasion — to Britain’s Got Talent winners Diversity’s dressing room rider.
Lucy Shields
Writer
