Stockton Calling Brochure 2024

SATURDAY 30 MARCH 2024

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW www.stocktoncalling.co.uk

ARC,  KU and Tees Music Alliance present

Stockton’s multi-venue music festival

deep tan

ABOUT-FACES ALL BEFORE BLACKOUT THE ARCADE BRODIE MILNER CAT RYAN CHURCH, HONEY CORTNEY DIXON CUSP DAWKS DAYZIES

DICTATOR DOSSERS ED COSENS EMILY ROWAN END CREDITS ERNIE FASHION TIPS GEMMA ROGERS GETDOWN SERVICES GIRLBAND!

GONE TOMORROW GOOD COP BAD COP HANNAH ROBINSON HECTOR GANNET INDIA ARKIN IVIES JACK RASMUSSEN JAM TUB

JEN DIXON LIZZIE ESAU LIZZIE REID LOCK-IN LOREN HEAT LOST IN TRANSLATION MAEVE AND THE TRAINS MARINA JOSEPHINA

MEGAN WYN MELANIE BAKER MOON WAX NO TEETH PAVE THE JUNGLE PRETTY VELVET REIGNMAKER RISCO SAFE AT ANY SPEED SARAH JOHNSONE SCRUFFY BEAR SOUNDS MINT SPIELMANN SUGAR ROULLETTE SUNBEAM SUN KING

THE CHASE THE COVASETTES THE GUESTLIST THE KAIROS THE SLATES THETA TINA SANDWICH TOY CAR TRUNKY JUNO TV DEATH TWAYN VELKRO WE TIBETANS WEATHERSHIP WINGS OF DESIRE WINGZ OF THE MONKEY

ACROSS 10 STAGES

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WELCOME!

Here we are again – clashes of artists – although disappointed. Discovering your

the ZUTONS

For any band to take over a decade away from the limelight, yet still remain loved and relevant is a feat in itself. For Liverpudlian trio The Zutons, the secret to their longevity could be down to the band’s songwriting prowess courtesy of chief songwriter Dave McCabe – from the all-conquering Valerie (which of course went on to be a triple-platinum hit for Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse) to the psych-stomp of early hit single You Will You Won’t – the

band’s ability to craft catchy, quirky and self-aware bangers has defined their sound.

Sixteen years after 2008’s You Can Do Anything, the band return with what promises to be a highly anticipated return.

New album The Big Decider is released in late April, with a dream team of Nile Rodgers and long-term collaborator Ian Broudie on production duties, and promises to be a poignant, cathartic and triumphant release for the newly reemerging band. The Big

Decider is the sound of a band channelling what saxophonist Abi Harding describes as a lifetime of “great chemistry and great connection”. Or, as drummer Sean Payne puts it: “We had a genuine feeling of a shared vision. In the past we haven’t really said how we feel, or we’ve taken each other the wrong way. But this album was different. We really didn’t feel good until it was just how we wanted it.” (CD)

www.thezutons.com

Image by Jonathan Turton

ELLUR

Infinitely danceable and wonderfully canny in her melodic inclinations, Ellur deals in euphoric slabs of sunsoaked indie pop that sweep you off your feet and fling you towards the heavens. (JJ) www.ellur.biz

GOOD COP BAD COP

Once of Steel City indie darlings Milburn, Joe Carnall now performs under the solo moniker Good Cop Bad Cop, a synth-laden purveyor of skulking grooves and devilishly infectious hooks. (JJ) www.facebook.com/ goodcopbadcopband

HECTOR GANNET

Endorsements don’t come much bigger than Sam Fender. Not only did folk-tinged indie rockers Hector Gannet support the Geordie icon at St. James’ Park, but he has also waxed lyrical about their songwriting prowess on numerous occasions. Who are we to argue? (JJ) www.hectorgannet.com

THE CHASE

The Chase are, rather fittingly, a thrill. Gritty, glam-inflected and unapologetically wild, theirs is a take on the indie rock formula that isn’t afraid to colour outside of the lines. (JJ) www.officialthechase.com

CORTNEY DIXON

Cortney Dixon is a glammed up riot – a keen-eyed, sharptongued songstress peeking out from beneath a mane of flaxen ringlets. Heavily hyped by the likes of Spotify and BBC Introducing, the South Shields native is going places fast. (JJ) www.cortneydixon.com

GONE TOMORROW

Suited, booted and going for the jugular, Gone Tomorrow have made a habit out of razing venues across the North East with their stomping brand of elephantine alt. rock. A monstrous prospect in the making. (JJ) www.linktr.ee/ gonetomorrowband

The Chase

Cortney Dixon

CURATED BY

DEADLETTER

Edgy post-punkers Deadletter channel the spirit of the Fall and Gang of Four into something essentially contemporary, and are fast becoming one of the hottest names on the UK’s live circuit. Formed in 2019 in the deep recesses of North Yorkshire, the three-piece soon relocated to South London which singer Zac Lawrence has described as a “fertile breeding ground” for the band’s revered live sets. Now expanded to a six-piece including original

members Alfie and George on drums and bass respectively (plus saxophonist Poppy), they set about honing their sound on a clutch of tracks initially recorded just before lockdown.

Deadletter’s 2023 single, featuring the tracks

Degenerate Inanimate and The Snitching Hour, is a punky, bass and sax-driven critique of local neighbourhoods, which will appeal to fans of Yard Act and Opus Kink, but which contains a paradoxically

celebratory twist that sets the band apart from other peers such as Meatraffle and Fat White Family. The band have described their own music as “dry and flammable”, have found fans in Steve Lamacq amongst others, and have already played many of the UK’s iconic small venues including London’s legendary 100 Club and the famous Paradiso in Amsterdam. Gutter punk for the masses. (SS) www.deadletter-band. bandcamp.com

GEMMA ROGERS

Who are your favourite London-based acts? Lily Allen? Jamie-T? Hard Fi? Nadia Rose? Madness? Gemma manages to take influences from all of the above without losing her urban, socially aware cojones. Not to be missed. (SS)

www.gemmarogersmusic.com

REIGNMAKER

Five-piece melodic indie rockers Reignmaker have quickly risen through the North West music scene with their passionate and heartfelt anthems egged on by a charismatic 90s swagger. They’ll really get things warmed up on the day. (SS) www.linktr.ee/reignmaker

VELKRO

The mysterious Velkro (no music online, only an Instagram account and a brief gig history providing any clue to their existence) are apparently influenced by The Cure, Warpaint and My Bloody Valentine. Worth a punt? (SS) www.instagram.com/velkro_ band

SUN KING

Sun King’s nods to soul, jazz and funk, and a fun street music vibe could be the early evening pick-me-up every festival needs, while their classic rock tendencies on tracks like This Feeling will get toes tapping too. (SS) www.facebook.com/ sunkingbanduk

LIZZIE REID

Glaswegian Lizzie blends melodic folk with a pop sensibility, close and warm lyrical storytelling and occasional forays into fuzzy alt. rock, and her sound is so ‘2024’ it delights. She also has a song about a jumper. (SS) www.lizziereidmusic.com

TINA SANDWICH

In her own words Glasgow’s delightfully monikered Tina Sandwich is “a circus of thunder and theatrics with all the romp and pomp of synthesised pop.” See you down the front, yeah? (SS) www.tinasandwich.bandcamp. com

BRODIE MILNER

Brodie Milner is at the indie zeitgeist, combining intelligent lyricism with intricate melodies both nuanced and evocative. A touch of the Ben Howards, Big Thiefs and Fontaines DCs. (SS) www.brodiemilnermusic. bandcamp.com

Gemma Rogers

Reignmaker

THE BLUETONES

With over 20 years spent on the indie scene, there’s no denying The Bluetones have earned their reputation as Britpop legends. Formed in Hounslow in 1993, brothers Mark and Scott Morriss, Adam Devlin and Ed Chesters have an armoury of hits to delight fans old and new, racking up thirteen top 40 singles over their career so far.

Though their sound is fiercely loyal to the history of Britpop, The Bluetones hit a sweet spot

between Oasis and The Stone Roses, crafting their own brand of indie rock which combines driving guitar riffs with a hint of the psychedelic.

Despite a split in 2011 leading to a four-year hiatus, their army of followers proved the band’s enduring popularity when they roared back onto the scene in 2015.

Promising to deliver a set jampacked with melodic hooks and indie pop bangers, their headline slot is just the start

of a landmark year for this irrepressible quartet. Alongside a catalogue of fan favourites including Cut Some Rug and Slight Return, the indie icons are set to showcase new material, the first in 14 years, and their Stockton

Calling performance serves as a tasty warm-up for their extensive UK tour later this year. (KR)

www.thebluetones.band

GETDOWN SERVICES

A lockdown time killer that has mutated into so much more, Getdown Services are a Bristolian/Mancunian two-piece who deal in groove-inflected slabs of synthy goodness and cheeky, rambling diatribes about everything and nothing. (JJ) www.linktr.ee/ getdownservices

LIZZIE ESAU

Named among BBC Introducing’s Ones To Watch for 2024, Lizzie Esau is standing not only on the cusp of a massive year, but also at the forefront of Newcastle’s thriving indie scene. (JJ) www.facebook.com/ lizzieesau.music

ERNIE

Part-time chef, full-time singer-songwriter, Ernie announced himself properly to the world when he opened for Sam Fender at St. James’ Park last summer. With his brooding vocals, fuzz-laden guitars and moreish choruses, Ernie is Newcastle’s next superstar-inwaiting. (JJ) www.erniethechef.co.uk

SCRUFFY BEAR

Singer Georgy has got some pipes on her which helps elevate Scruffy Bear’s bluesy hard rock, and often sees stadium-rock-in-a-small-club type platitudes flying around. Think: Blind Melon meets Black Sabbath. (SS) www.scruffybearband.com

NO TEETH

If you’re in the mood for a little anarchy, untameable six-piece No Teeth have all the chaotic energy of a belligerent teenager and promise to wreak havoc with their bold and dissonant punk rock. (KR) www.no-teeth.bandcamp.com

END CREDITS

At the vanguard of Teesside’s new wave of young indie rock, End Credits are definitely an act for curious Stockton Calling music-lovers to check out. (SS) www.facebook.com/ endcreditsuk

WINGZ OF THE MONKEY

In the words of NARC. writer Lily Pratt, this Teesside fourpiece are “punk rock, bred in the leather-clad, darkened basements of New York and academised by the existential poetry of Patti Smith.” (SS) www.instagram.com/wingz_ of_the_monkey

Getdown Services

Lizzie Esau

DILETTANTE

Genuinely exciting artists –musicians whose ambition, scope and talent seems to positively effervesce from them – come along once in a blue moon. It’s a rare and thrilling thing to watch an artist for the first time and be astounded by the breadth of their ideas; to be transported to another world entirely, with brave new sounds and textures, and to feel part of their distinctive soundscape.

Dilettante is the delightful art-pop project of multiinstrumentalist Francesca Pidgeon; a musician whose genre-phobic approach to

music results in everything from fuzzy guitar licks to fivepart saxophone harmonies and glitchy percussion. Their debut album, 2022’s Tantrum, sees Pidgeon attempt to navigate the pop sphere with a distinctly avant-garde approach, albeit one that’s infinitely accessible and comes with a cheeky, wry grin. Dilettante’s latest single, Stone, is replete with jumpy percussion, off-kilter guitars and hysterical sax lines. “This song is about how I’m doing my best to think things through in terms of lightness and weight and figure out what’s actually best for me.” She says

of the track.

Fans of St Vincent, Fiona Apple, Kate Bush and tUnEyArDs will find much to enjoy on the alternative spectrum, and recent support slots with the likes of Self Esteem, Caribou, Graham Coxon and Philip Selway – not to mention her own moonlighting as part of BC Camplight’s band – have cemented the band’s quirky indie chops. Their headline appearance at The Green Room is your opportunity to discover something magical. (CD)

www.dilettantesongs. bandcamp.com

DAWKS

Excitable indie rock from the pen of Hartlepool musician Luke Dawkins (formerly of Leopard Rays), with notable influences including DMAs, Beabadoobee, Tom Petty and Foo Fighters which culminate in an infectious and nostalgic sound. (CD)

www.linktr.ee/dawks0_0

SUGAR ROULETTE

We confidently predict that 2024 is going to be Sugar Roulette’s year; their widescreen indie rock gets better with every release, and the Teesside quartet’s ambition has seen them push their songwriting and style, resulting in massive bangers like 2023’s Fever Dream. (CD)

www.linktr.ee/sugarroulette

FASHION TIPS

Proclaiming to make ‘dance music for anxious people’, Tyneside’s Fashion Tips peddle a distinct brand of deadpan, punchy and danceable angst pop which fizzes with barely contained energy and a feral, physical live show that will blow your socks off. (CD) www.fashiontipsband. bandcamp.com

LOREN HEAT

The 20-year-old Queer singer-songwriter from

Middlesbrough writes dark and atmospheric pop which finds kindred spirits in the likes of Dua Lipa, Years And Years and Mabel.

www.linktr.ee/lorenheat

ALL BEFORE

Kick your afternoon off with a raucous dose of metalcore courtesy of this Teesside quintet, whose intense and technical heavy sound is shot through with melodic choruses and brutal breakdowns. (CD) www.linktr.ee/allbefore23

MAEVE & THE TRAINS

When a band describe themselves as ‘punk leftist riot grrrl feminist liberal neurodivergent art jazz’, you know you’ve got a fun time on your hands. A real buzz has grown around the trio thanks to their off-kilter sound and pissed-off racket. Get down early and see this year’s next big thing! (CD)

www.instagram.com/ maeveandthetrains

Fashion Tips

Sugar Roulette

CORELLA

Corella’s choruses hit you like a runaway rodeo bull, rushing and surging through you with a widescreen ardour and an emphatic locomotion that spikes the pulse and tingles the spine. Melding luscious indie penmanship with a knack for emotive lyricism, the quartet have racked up millions of streams online and steadily garnered a simmering buzz that threatens to boil over into mainstream adulation any time now.

Formed while all four of

their members were still at university, the band have spent the years since teasingly unleashing irresistible single after irresistible single, and consequently tearing a path to the brink of mass acclaim. With eye-catching turns at Reading & Leeds, Latitude, Kendall Calling and Neighbourhood under their belt, they have repeatedly proven themselves to be even more intoxicating in a live setting than they are on record, and have received rapturous recognition from the

likes of BBC Radio 1 and Clash Magazine among many, many others.

Stomping into the new year off the back of their biggest UK headline tour to date, and with a long-awaited debut album lurking on the horizon, Corella are a Northern powerhouse on a trajectory that would make NASA blush, and with a potential that might just be equally galactic. (JJ)

www.correllamusic.com

Corella by Sam Crawston

NOISY

Bringing everything to the table with a diverse mix of alternative rock and electronica echoing the sounds of The Prodigy and Chemical Brothers, this maximalist trio are your ticket to a wild euphoric ride. (KR)

www.theworldnoisy.com

THE KAIROS

Hitting the Liverpool music scene in 2017, this four-piece follow in the footsteps of the city’s greats with their fullthrottle rock and roll. Look out for fan favourites P.O.P and Thick of It. (KR)

www.thekairosband.com

THE COVASETTES

Riding the wave of sold-out shows and festival success, this Mancunian four-piece have everything you want from an indie rock band: infectious riffs and pop rock grooves that will have you heading straight for the dancefloor. (KR)

www.thecovasettes.com

ED COSENS

A major player in the Sheffield music scene, and guitarist for Reverend & The Makers, singer-songwriter Cosens brings an irresistible combination of brooding vulnerability, soaring vocals and lush instrumentation.

Intimate, rich and seductive. (KR)

www.edcosens.com

THE GUESTLIST

Formed in 2021 by Cai Alty, this Mancunian rock band are ones to watch. Combining simple guitar riffs with an aloof, disinterested manner, it’s a tried and tested formula winning them fans far and wide. (KR)

www.zez.am/theguestlist.band

SARAH JOHNSONE

Since joining forces with her band, this Teesside-viaNewcastle artist has proven her shapeshifting ability, moving effortlessly from dreamy, soulful jazz vocals to powerful alt. rock. Wet Leg meets Amy Winehouse via The Black Keys. (KR)

www.linktr.ee/sarahjohnsone

BLACKOUT THE ARCADE

Making a name for themselves as Darlington’s hottest indie band, these four are your goto for alternative indie rock. Expect heavy driving guitar riffs and catchy vocals with a touch of psychedelic energy for good measure. (KR)

www.linktr.ee/blackout_the_ arcade

DOSSERS

If classic angry punk is what you need, this Teesside five-piece are bringing the revolution with a blend of postpunk, rock, metal and indie. Fight the power, but do it loud and fast. (KR)

www.linktr.ee/dossers_band

Dossers

Sarah Johnsone by Chloe Dunscombe Photography

CVC

Eclectic and eccentric Welsh psych rockers CVC (Church Village Collective in full) cite a heady mix of Snoop Dogg, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Super Furry Animals and Red Hot Chili Peppers as influences, while two of the collective are allegedly related to Welsh royalty Dame Shirley Bassey and Manic Street Preachers’ James Dean Bradfield no less. The six-piece’s debut album, 2023’s Get Real, was mixed by Ross Orton (Arctic Monkeys)

so the band are in good company and should be right at home at Stockton Calling among fans of the likes of Red Rum Club, who have already left their mark on the festival. Stylistically and musically, CVC may owe more to the likes of The Beatles, Earth, Wind & Fire and Supertramp, plus more recent psychedelic revivalists Arcade Fire and Two Door Cinema Club.

2023’s The Remortgage Anthem single was a disco

stomp with a big, big chorus and the band have been rightfully praised by the likes of NME, The Times and The Guardian while playing a host of UK festivals including TRNSMT and Reading & Leeds. Expect to hear some sleazy loungecore, seductive and raunchy but with a soulful underbelly and melodies aplenty. (SS) www.cvcband.com

wings of desire

One for the musos, this Stroud duo draw influences from Factory Record’s art-pop revolution of the mid-1980s. Equal parts sublime indie pop, sultry spoken word and dreamy shoegaze. They look the part too. (SS)

www.wingsofdesire.bandcamp. com

girlband!

Imagine a dayglo musical omelette of influences incorporating everything from Elvis to Dee-Lite, plus contemporaries such as Wet Leg and Big Moon, and you’ve got Nottingham’s GIRLBAND! Yeah, shout it. (SS)

www.instagram.com/ girlbandhq

safe at any speed

Safe At Any Speed do not mess about. The North London trio pair scrappy guitars with cocksure vocals to produce short, acerbic slabs of wit that flit between urgent post-punk and indie’s mid-noughties heyday with beguiling ease. (JJ)

www.linktr.ee/safeatanyspeed

sounds mint

Is there anything more satisfying than nominative determinism? A post-punk bedroom project that has mushroomed into a snowballing juggernaut worthy of support slots for the mighty Blur, sounds mint do, indeed, sound absolutely mint. (JJ) www.instagram.com/sounds. mint

cat ryan

A firm favourite of the North East scene, this charismatic quartet have honed their art rock sound over the years. Expect plenty of rattling guitars and foot-tapping favourites. (KR)

www.linktr.ee/catryanband

hannah robinson

Newcastle’s Hannah Robinson impressed last year with her single Rosie, an empowering, anthemic call to arms that took a broad swipe at evocative indie rock and dream pop, positioning her as another at the North East musical zeitgeist. (SS)

www.facebook.com/ hanrobinsonmusic

weathership

The post-lockdown project of frontman and prolific Teesside musician J.P. Riggall, this alt. indie band is a five-sided collaboration bringing poignancy, lyricism and influences from jazz to Americana and every flavour in between. (KR)

www.weathership.bandcamp. com

jam tub

Formed in their last year of school in 2023 and already featured on BBC Introducing, Durham’s teenage trio bring an explosive combination of blues, rock, punk and grunge to the stage. (KR)

www.jamtub.band

GIRLBAND!

Cat Ryan

the lilacs

Making a name for themselves as one of the hottest indie pop bands of recent years, The Lilacs have won fans up and down the country, playing iconic venues from Manchester’s Albert Hall to the Isle of Wight Festival. Formed in 2018 after friends Ollie Anglesea (singer) and Sam Birchall (guitar) set out to carve their own musical path, the Wigan four-piece hit the ground running with debut single Vicarage Road.

Their relentless energy, catchy riffs and feel-good melodies are guaranteed to get the crowd on side. Whether you’re a diehard fan or you’re hearing them for the first time, it’s impossible to resist being carried along on the wave they create.

Offering a range that showcases their songwriting ability and Anglesea’s vocal talent, they’re not afraid to take an introspective look at the gnarlier parts of life with tracks

like Something Or Nothing. Ultimately though, their dynamic and animated mix of reflective storytelling and jangling guitar-driven melodies deliver indie pop at its most accessible and fun.

Fans can expect a fast-paced romp through the band’s highlights reel, including favourites Sticky Dancefloors and Sally. (KR)

www.upthelilacs.com

dictator

Hailing from West Lothian, this four-piece refuse to be pinned down, morphing from indie to pop to electronica with irrepressible energy. Daring and inventive, strap in for all the indie pop anthems you can handle. (KR)

www.dictatorband.com

lock-in

Rising stars of the alt. rock scene, this Hertfordshire five-piece are building a loyal fan base, lacing every track with a touch of indie Britpop, memorable guitar riffs and catchy lyrics. (KR)

www.lockinband.co.uk

toy car

Alias of prolific songwriter and guitarist Shaun Hough, Toy Car is your ticket to a bold and thrilling night. Expect a raw, retro sound, roaring guitars and seductively dark themes. Ferocious and powerful. (KR)

www.linktr.ee/toycar

the slates

Carrying on the work of indie rock influences from The Smiths to The Stone Roses, this young Yorkshire quartet are becoming known for their passion, energy and ability to get a crowd roaring. (KR) www.facebook.com/ wearetheslates

about-faces

Vocalist Sennen Ludman leads the way into a dreamy sound world of lyrical storytelling. An irresistibly dynamic blend of indie and soft rock, this five-piece are sure to win you over. (KR)

www.about-faces.co.uk

theta

Glasgow’s THETA are most at home in the part of the Venn diagram where pop and rock

overlap, where they are equally comfortable with a belting pop melody or a wild guitar solo. (SS)

www.linktr.ee/officialtheta

sunbeam

Every inch as bright as their name suggests, but packing just a dash of Northern grit beneath the surface, Sunbeam are an infectious delight who deal in shimmering harmonies and anthemic hooks. (JJ)www.facebook. com/sunbeamwhitby

THETA by Daniel Blake about-faces

LUCIA & THE BEST BOYS

Formerly known as Lucia, this Scottish four-piece are fearless ambassadors for the Glasgow indie rock scene.

Riding the wave of last year’s debut album success, Lucia & The Best Boys want to inspire and uplift, with a blend of catchy indie pop and messages of strength and resilience.

Driven by Lucia Fairfull, a relentless powerhouse with a ton of attitude and a

heartfelt mission, the band’s empowering lyrics and boundless energy are hard to resist.

Inspired by many of the industry’s most formidable women – from Stevie Nicks to PJ Harvey – the band want to raise the voices of those who are silenced, and encourage women to be their own advocates. Reluctant to let anyone limit her path, Fairfull likes to pull from any and all

genres to create a colourful and unique sound.

Renowned for the visceral power of their live performances, Lucia & The Best Boys bring a delicious mix of rough, abrasive sounds, delicate and heartbreaking storytelling and soaring vocals. A call to action in a revolution that is as inspiring as it is intoxicating. (KR)

www.luciaandthebestboys. co.uk

Lucia & The Best Boys by Ronan Park

WE TIBETANS

The Britrock four-piece return with candid new tunes, a thrilling onstage energy and a rock ‘n’ roll attitude that’s earned them fans aplenty. See you down the front! (CD)

www.linktr.ee/wetibetans

MEGAN WYN

Dreamy, nostalgic indie pop, Manchester-based Megan and her band tick all the Stockton Calling boxes with a heady blend of coming-of-age angst and euphoric optimism only these young’uns can still muster. (SS)

www.facebook.com/ meganwynmusic

CUSP

Harking back to a time when indie bands towered over the musical landscape with a glimmering strut, Cusp write songs that fizz and sparkle with an ebullient verve. (JJ)

www.cuspband.co.uk

SPIELMANN

We could waste your time trying to find the words to describe the affable alt. pop of singer-songwriter Spielmann, or we could simply refer you to his own succinct summation of his sound: ‘Harry Styles for 6Music dads… Brandon Flowers at Phoenix Nights’. Superb. (JJ) www.linktr.ee/spielmannsongs

JEN DIXON

Surf loving, chicken rescuing Teesside singer-songwriter Jen manages to confidently hit the sweet spot between blissful indie and serious socially-aware pop without obviously trying too hard either. One to watch this year for sure. (SS)

www.jendixonmusic.co.uk

TV DEATH

The North East psych punks enjoyed a monstrous end to 2023, and swagger into the new year with the undeniable roar of a band going places. Their scintillating live show is a whole lot of fun, don’t miss them!. (JJ) www.tvdeath.com

RISCO

Formerly known as The Collectors the Britpopinfluenced, Stockton-based trio return with a couple of line-up changes and who knows what else. There could be bagpipes and violins, or perhaps just fat riffs and elongated vowels. (SS)

www.facebook.com/risco.bnd

LOST IN TRANSLATION

North Eastern exports currently stationed Manchester, Lost In Translation meld elements of rock, pop and funk to cook up a sound that is as heartfelt and sumptuous as it is utterly bewitching. (JJ)

www.twitter.com/litranslationn

Spielmann

TV Death by Rhiannon Banks

venus grrrls

My favourite Venus Grrrls anecdote is how I stumbled upon their first ever gig while looking for something to do after I’d dropped my kids off at a YouTuber’s show in Leeds. They were class that night, nervously throwing down riot grrrl hooks while already looking like they were born to do it, and then laughing manically on stage after nailing the drop in early fan-favourite Sour. And, they are still class now.

Having evolved from pure riot grrrl, occasionally flirting with space rock, the five-piece took an enforced break in 2023 to allow singer GK to address some health issues before returning in style late last year with a new guitarist and a clutch of new songs. Harking back to their punk roots but with a subtle metal twist courtesy of new girl Eliza (Venus Grrrls have always been at their best when the

lead guitar is allowed to roam wild), October’s single Hex was melodic rock at its best, for fans of Paramore and fellow tykes Marmozets, and marked a welcome return to the neofeminist relationship tropes that first made the band one of the most formidable in their field. They’re a no brainer to headline Stockton Calling this year. (SS)

www.venusgrrrls.com

moon wax

Teesside’s pastoral indie veterans Moon Wax will bring the gentle funk and nu-soul to the Stockton Calling party with their Years And Years and Groove Armada influenced toe-tappers. Anyone remember Freak Power? You’re in the right place. (SS) www.facebook.com/ moonwaxuk

TWAYN

Twin sister duo Twayn’s glorious close harmonies, incisive and relatable lyrics and irresistible pop edge will be a must-see for fans of artists like Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and Haim. (CD)

www.linktr.ee/twayntwins

dayzies

Newcastle four-piece indie rockers Dayzies’ Short Lived Romance single evokes the spirit of Frankie & The Heartstrings: spiky and maximum of melody. We like Dayzies a lot in our house, now you can like them too. (SS)

www.facebook.com/ dayziesmusic

ivies

Durham’s charming and quintet Ivies have been causing quite the stir, thanks to their fun, high-energy live show and music inspired by the likes of Peach Pit, Soccer Mommy and Two Door Cinema Club. (KR)

www.facebook.com/iviesband

jack rasmussen

Armed with little more than an acoustic guitar and a voice that could melt even the coldest of hearts into a puddle of bubbling goo, Jack Rasmussen is a Northern troubadour with an ear for a spellbinding melody. (JJ)

www.facebook.com/ jackrasmussenmusic

church, honey

This Middlesbrough-born singer-songwriter brings the heart and soul to indie rock. Atmospheric, emotional and tender, you can’t help but be drawn to their world of smooth and intimate acoustic indie pop. (KR)

www.linktr.ee/churchhoney

trunky juno

Off-kilter, deadpan and gloriously moustachioed, Trunky Juno has emerged from Durham in a mushroom cloud of slack psychedelia to stake a claim as one of the region’s most compelling independent artists. (JJ)

www.trunkyjuno.bandcamp. com

Moon Wax

Ivies

CURATED BY noisy daughters

deep tan

deep tan are a potent illustration of the power of minimalism. Crafting a distinctive sound that is at once stripped back and irresistibly propulsive, the London trio deal in lean, endlessly danceable cuts of thoughtful post-punk that hypnotise and intoxicate in equal measure. Still yet to release a full-length debut, the group have nonetheless branded their mark on the thriving underbelly of the alternative British scene.

Having garnered glowing attention from the likes of KEXP, Apple Music, NME, Radio X and BBC 6Music tastemaker Steve Lamacq, deep tan continue to stake their claim as one of the most enthralling live acts in the country, and have toured with the likes of desert rock titans Queens Of The Stone Age, as well as verbose tricksters Yard Act and art punk upstarts Bodega. Previous festival outings have seen the

Hackney three-piece light up stages at Latitude, Truck, Live at Leeds, Dot-To-Dot and countless others, all while amassing a steadily growing throng of devoted fans. Subversive, contemplative and seething with purpose, deep tan are a bewitching rarity – a band drenched in inevitability with something meaningful to say and a manner of articulating their message unlike anybody else. (JJ) www.linktr.ee/deeptan

pave the jungle

The Geordie melodic alt. rockers manage to channel the energy of Muse and the poppier sensibilities of Britpop and smash it all into a tiny ball of energy waiting to explode on stage each night. Or something like that. (SS)

www.facebook.com/

pavethejungleband

india arkin

Multi-platformer India’s musical endeavours have been turning heads in her native Newcastle since debut single Dashboard Dancing in 2021. Reflective, poppy indie that is interestingly for fans of both Nadine Shah and early Coldplay. (SS)

www.indiaarkin.com

pretty velvet

Known for their iconic male/ female leads Lees and Daniel Maple, this fearless five-piece blend dark pop, blues and dirty electric guitar, sure to shock and thrill with their complex and twisted tales. (KR)

www.linktr.ee/prettyvelvet

melanie baker

Known for being fearless and heartbreakingly honest, Lake District-born Baker explores modern life, Queer identity and everything in between with a captivating mix of raw vulnerability and poetic lyricism. (KR)

www.melaniebaker.net

emily rowan

Despite her relative infancy as an artist, Darlington singersongwriter Emily Rowan has already turned countless heads with her tender, selfpenned acoustic cuts. A North Eastern hidden gem, but not for long. (JJ)

www.instagram.com/ emilyrowan.music

marina josephina

Comparisons to the likes of Amy Winehouse and Norah Jones don’t come easy. Blending soulful elements with a tender appreciation of jazz and classic R&B, local artist Marina Josephina is thoroughly deserving of such lofty acclaim. (JJ)

www.linktr.ee/marinajosephina

Pretty Velvet

Pave The Jungle by Ben Hughes

by Stockton

BID.

BAR

Black Market

Stockton Business Improvement District (BID) is run by businesses for businesses, who together aim to regenerate Stockton for everyone who works here, lives here, or visits the town centre.

The Wimpole Yard

The John Walker Tavern

Prince Regent St, TS18 1DB

BAR / LATE BAR

Ku Bar

Prince Regent St, TS18 1DB

93 High St, TS18 1AA

FOOD & DRINK FOOD & DRINK FOOD & DRINK

The Cattle Market

Castle and Anchor

The Lambton

Charlies Bar

We are a not-for-profit company funded by our members. Representing 400+ businesses to date, we encourage investment, attract businesses and visitors to the town centre, and extend a warm welcome to everyone, to ensure that Stockton continues to thrive.

The Northeasten

The Royal Oak

The Sun Inn

Gracies

The Kopper Keg

The Link

The Tipsy Turtle

Bibi's Bar

Wimpole Yd, TS18 1BD

6 Bridge Rd, TS18 3BW

6 Church Rd, TS18 1TY

2 Church Rd, TS18 1TY

1 High St, TS18 1AQ

9 Norton Rd, TS18 2BW

163 High St, TS18 1PL

20 High St, TS18 1SP

Knowles St, TS18 1SU

Wasps Nest Yd, TS18 1SX

27 Dovecot St, TS18 1LH

153 High St, TS18 1PL

01642 065836 | 07718474686 manager@stocktonbid.co.uk www.stocktonbid.co.uk

Regency West Mall, TS18 1EF

Sponsored by:

Regency West Mall, TS18 1EF

The Tap and Stone

Brought to you by:

Regency West Mall, TS18 1EF

Mrs Miggins

Thirsty Souls

Red Lion

Ramsgate

The Reindeer

The Hoptimist

The Riverbank

94-95 High St, TS18 1AA

96 High St, TS18 1AA

BAR / RESTAURANT

Hope and Union

Brought to you by:

Ted and Gingers

Thomas Sheraton (Wetherspoons)

Sticky's

Silver Court, TS18 1SX

Regency West Mall, TS18 1EF

4 Bridge Rd, TS18 1BH

28 Prince Regent St, TS18 1DF

Bennets Fish and Chips

City

Regency West Mall, TS18 1EF

Regency West Mall, TS18 1EF

Ramsgate, TS18 1BS

19 Ramsgate, TS18 1BS

3 Ramsgate, TS18 1BS

34 Yarm Ln, TS18 1ES

LATE BAR

16 High St, TS18 1SP

Sponsored by:

19 Dovecot St, TS18 1LH

46 Yarm Ln, TS18 1ER

The Golden Smog

Ku

The Blue Post

The Storytellers

The

Wasps Nest

The Stag Inn

Hope and Union

Ted and Gingers

Thomas Sheraton (Wetherspoons)

Sticky's

Vault Hidden Bar

The Wobbly Goblin

Rebels

Room 21

ARC

The Georgian Theatre

The Globe

Social Rooms

Prince Regent St, TS18 1DB

Vault Hidden Bar

1 Hambletonian Yd, TS18 1DS

93 High St, TS18 1AA

Sponsored by:

The Wobbly Goblin

37 Dovecot St, TS18 1LH

Castlegate Mill, Riverside, TS18 1BZ

Park Terrace, TS18 3BT

13-14 High St, TS18 1SP

94-95 High St, TS18 1AA

117a High St, TS18 1AY

11 Finkle St, TS18 1TB

96 High St, TS18 1AA

64 Dovecote St, TS18 1LH

Silver Court TS18 1SX

34 Silver St, TS18 1SX

Rebels

Room 21

9 Finkle St, TS18 1AE

15 Bridge Rd, TS18 3AA

37 Dovecot St, TS18 1LH Park Terrace, TS18 3BT

ARC

The Georgian Theatre

The Globe

Social Rooms

Ne Volume Music

Teesside Princess

20-22 Bishopton Ln, TS18 2AA

21 Yarm Ln, TS18 3DR

Grosvenor Casino

Mecca Bingo

The Edge

Dovecot St, TS18 1LL

Green Dragon Yd, TS18 1AT

153a High St, TS18 1PL

Prince Regent St, TS18 1DB

13-15 Dovecot St, TS18 1LH

50 Yarm Ln, TS18 1ER

20-22 Bishopton Ln, TS18 2AA

21 Yarm Ln, TS18 3DR

41

Dovecot St, TS18 1LL

Green Dragon Yd, TS18 1AT

153a High St, TS18 1PL

Prince Regent St, TS18 1DB

21d Yarm Ln, TS18 3DR

Castlegate Quay, TS18 1BZ

Chandlers Wharf, TS18 3BA

Chandlers Wharf, TS18 3BA

Castlegate Mill, TS18 1BZ