Fortnightly Music Reviews from the streets of Teesside and beyond
Stockton Calling,
Multi-venue festival in Stockton-on-Tees
19 April 2025
Stockton Calling has grown so much since its inception in 2010 when it consisted of 3 stages. We now have 9 stages to choose from and a host of glorious, diverse bands to delight and entertain from half past one until eleven o’clock. Just grab your wristband and set sail for a sonic adventure.
Robert dived straight into the KU Bar, already packed full of vim and passion signed and sealed from London based Teessiders Strawberry Fires. Classic uplifting indie rock from the guitar band who know how to play a big statement finale, the singer's favourite song in fact, We Built the World, a big up to Teesside.
Chris started his day in the intimate surroundings of The Vault. The fantastically named The North (why hasn’t that name been snapped up before?), from Leeds, played a short blistering set. Their new single ‘She’ reminded me of the rousing melodicism of short-lived Creation band The Bodines. I think we will hear a lot from them in the future.
ARC 2 was the domain of The Kids Are Solid and there were solid gold memories aplenty when Bob Fischer introduced Dressed Like Wolves for their very last performance. From Sea Screams with banjo to noisy Country Walks, Rick Dobbin marshalled his team to scramble and shamble through a set that sparkled with lyrical gems and instant hit melodies. A tumult followed leaving a toothbrush in a hotel room. What a wonderful journey we have taken with Dressed Like
Wolves over the years, fitting then that they should bow out at the very top of their game on the biggest musical day of the year. Thank you gang.
In contrast Marina Josephina's career is at the launch pad stage. The Stockton neo-soul singer is a BBC Introducing Ones To Watch for 2025. Marina graced the main ARC stage with a real classy performance of glamour and glitz but also delivering lyrical narratives of perception and depth. A big band sound and presence and a mighty vocal expression. The audience were welcomed into Marina's very own jazz lounge.
Two from ARC 2 now, Robert's pathway took in Nature Kids. This five piece from Leeds are causing a quiet stir right now with their sensitive, melodious psychedelic folk. Think back to last century if you can and Gorky's Zygotic Mynci or early Pavement. They sprinkled moon dust with First Moon. They have come to the right place when asking if there are any notable local bridges for Spit off the Bridge. Nature Kids have just released a brand new self-titled debut album. It has your name on it.
In ARC 2, the Glaswegian Sister Madds were entertaining and hugely engaging. Like the Rezillos without the sci-fi futuristic outfits, ‘Can’t read your lips’, ‘Summer Blues’ and ‘Performative Exercise’ were knee deep in catchy hooks and the crowd adored their tongue in cheek humour and anthemic tunes.
Words: Chris Bartley and Robert Nichols
Pictures: Tracy Hyman
My first introduction to young talent Isabel Maria was at Peterlee's 75 birthday celebrations performing on stage at her East Durham College. A couple of years on and she was delighting the audience in the Narc magazine programmed Green Room. Not scary or hard but full of other worldly wonders and soup (Isabel is a big soup fan) her Ghost single is an irresistible pop song.
Polish speed rapper Eyeconic strides across the Georgian stage and lifts the audience participation to new heights. At home in Middlesbrough since 2007 he welcomed Mr Introducing, Shakk on stage to belt out a real feel good vibe.
Cherry Seraph is a talented musical producer/ performer. Performing on The Link women's stage Cherry's sound mooches from moody to dance. A bad breakup in Cambodia was gut wrenching but by the end of the track it demands you shake a leg. Final track Worms is about yearning but by the final refrain it is the audience yearning for more from yet another talented young music maker.
The Green Room has been transported back deep into the last century with Sunderland synth pop duo Chat. Hi energy electro. Never did the silver streamers back cloth seem more apt, all we needed was a glitter ball as everyone joined in for the YMCA style hand actions led by the gloved hands of singer Becky. All the venues are in close proximity to each other and
the weather is good on this Easter Saturday, almost the Eternal Sunshine that Darlington's Caitlin Morrow is singing about back in The Link. Countrified, folk rock and pop. And catchy. None more so than debut single, Babeustupid, launched at the Forum, Darlington Saturday 31 May.
Emotional. Passionate. A big brass sound. Truly a voice to really fill the auditorium of ARC from Imogen and the Knife. Down from the Scottish highlands The Joshua Hotel hold nothing back. The singer even puts the guitarist in a headlock as they blaze away in ARC 2.
Quickly down to the bottom of Prince Regent Street and Nice Guy are singing about last orders in the Linny. A local band with fire in their bellies and anthems to impart. A spark that could take hold.
In the ARC, it was a delight to see Billy Sullivan choose Stockton for one of the first dates for his recently reformed Spitfires. Although they have the energy and frenetic delivery of early Jam and the Mod era clothes to match, I was really reminded of York’s finest, The Redskins, particularly with the politicism of their songs. The futility of war in their new single ‘Better The Devil You Know’ stands up so well alongside their epic oldies like ‘Stand Out’.
Dressed Like Wolves big tip was to watch Liz Corney at The Link. Seated at a keyboards, the focal point of a 4-piece band delivering a balance of soulful and ballads Liz did not disappoint. There was a brief pause in proceedings to complain about dodgy fish'n'chips. Just don't call Liz babe it will not make it OK.
Blackout The Arcade went into Overdrive in the Green Room. The Darlington indie rockers saved their best until last, according to the singer and everyone did join in on a big uplifting anthem. Their high flying choruses absolutely demand singalong participation. Anticipation was building in the Georgian Theatre for the entry of local heroes Avalanche Party. And from the first pummel of the drums and ripple of guitars and shimmering heat keyboards it was intense and inspirational. Western and eastern. Black and white. Psychedelic dreamaholic. Epic. Noise a-noize. I'm So Wet to the latest album reflections. The absolute performance. Avalanche Party. Quite simply spectacular.
Chris and me went separate ways again at this point. Turned back by the queue at ARC for headliners Maximo Park I really enjoyed Melanie Baker at Green Room. She doesn't enjoy slugs in her cupboard and last night her head fell off. True story.. allegedly. Melanie is another superb emerging north eastern singer songwriter talent currently making big strides. Just time to catch a little flavour of Suffolk rapper EV belting out his New England in ARC 2. Hilarious swearing fits from the former lorry mechanic and then upstairs where Chris will talk you through the mighty Maximo Park to finish our piece,
To close proceedings at the ARC, Maximo Park didn’t disappoint. A one and half hour tour de force from those dynamic early statements of intent ‘Our Velocity’ and ‘Apply Some Pressure’ to the more disco orientated groove laden recent offering of ‘What Equals Love’, Paul Smith is such a superb front man. He was delighted to be back on home turf. He was on Drake bookshop on the afternoon (would we expect anything more from the writer of the glorious ‘Books In Boxes’) and he touchingly dedicated ‘Favourite Songs’ to the much-missed Tom Butchart from Sound It Out Records.
What a day. Roll on 2026. #UpTheBoro
Words: Chris Bartley and Robert Nichols
Pictures: Tracy Hyman
Max Bianco, George Bailey
The Waiting Room, Eaglescliffe 27 April 2025
Billingham's George Bailey probably first came to everyone's notice when he answered an appeal to fill in as a last minute replacement in session for Shakk on BBC Tees. Since then the former Bristol student has been carving out a name for himself including opening a stage at the recent Stockton Calling festival.
It is Too Late for George but the evening is only getting started. He packs personality into his performance, also talking the talk between songs. George studied songwriting and discovered there is no set formula but those studies have set him in good stead on his Prince inspired quest to write a song a day. So, Dissociating Again was written the day before followed by a still untitled song only finished on the day of the gig. That second song was more of an upbeat kitchen sink drama a la Squeeze.
George opened his heart with a song about Teesside. Like the Newport Bridge there is no bringing us back. Then there was a jam with Max Bianco on bazooki, amazingly both playing a song that wasn't even finished yet. It sounded great to me. George apologised for the serious nature of his finale, American Dream is about gun violence in the USA but
it is a subject that simply has to be sung about. Hartlepool's Max Bianco was up from his London base, showing off his instrumental and songwriting skills on this his Eaglescliffe debut. Max has been touring recently with the Libertines and friend Pete Doherty and there is much of the likeable cheeky chappy about him also. Putting down his acoustic Max delivered a rather poignant moment, a sad song on his bazooki about wandering aimlessly along empty streets. There was more positivity in the following lyric where he can't wait to wake up in the morning.
It was very much a family affair, from the former Jar Family singer. His sister saw this gig advertised in The Crack and got onto his brother to drive him up from London before she painted his nails for the occasion. After Max performed his recent release, Sometimes, the sister plugged a gap by singing a line in the so so catchy pop song, North-east Bay when Max had paused for inspiration. This song penned when Max first moved away from the region was actually finished off by his mam from her seat in the audience.
Another memorable Sunday evening at The Waiting Room. May there be many more.
Words: Robert Nichols
Pictures: Tracy Hyman
SHDE, Sky Parker, The Fryups, Ron Jon
Cushin Album
Tees
Leveret
Orange Pip VE Day Special: George Robinson, Claire Louise, The Jelly Roll Jazz Band and more
with Shaun Ryder
George Boomsma, Jodie Nicholson, Mike McKenzie
Yarm
Middlesbrough The Fallen Leaves, Thee Strawberry Mynde, Helen McCookerybook
Populi
Battle of the Bands: Marrick, SHDE, The Whippet Beans, Fleeting Faces, The Last Bastion
-on-Tees An Evening with Danny McNamara (Embrace)
Listings subject to change, please check with the venue’s website for full information before booking.
The Regency, Cause of Concern, Aidan Feners 9 May
Ceremonial Mayor’s Charity Choir Spectacular
The Cadillac Kings
Teesside Radical Bookfair + afterparty (La Sonora Boreal, Amass, Chump Wreaker, Sir Racha DJ)
Stockton Blues, Rhythm & Rock Festival 2025
Monarch, The ArDunnos, The Acoustic Project
Wingz of the Monkey, Deer Shed, Cardiac
The Fallen, Annie Lince & Malcolm McPhie
Industrial Coast Sunday Service: Rainy Miller, Wes Baggley, Quiet Husband, Abby Harris, Burning Pyre, Jon Cornbill, 6JJacob
Dave Finnegan’s Commitments
Industrial Coast: Jean-Louis Huhta, Shlinga, Rachel Deakin (film), Sir Racha DJ
Battle of the Bands – The Final!
May £10 + bf
NE Volume Music Bar, Stockton-on-Tees
The Borough Hall, Hartlepool
Darlington
Club, Middlesbrough
Stockton-on-Tees
Volume Music Bar, Stockton-on-Tees
The Green Room, Stockton-on-Tees
Hutton Rudby Village Hall, Hutton Rudby
£12 cost of living 12pm Disgraceland, Middlesbrough
May £7 + bf
Princess Alexandra Auditorium, Yarm
The Courtroom, Middlesbrough Town Hall
NE Volume Music Bar, Stockton-on-Tees
Listings subject to change, please check with the venue’s website for full information before booking.
Gig for Gaza: Bubamara, Chris Milner-Journeyman with special guests
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain: 40th Anniversary Tour
15 May £10 + bf 7pm The Forum, Darlington
15 May £30 £25.50 U18 6.45pm Middlesbrough Theatre
Haçienda On The Beach
24 May 2025
Redcar Beach Live!
25 May 2025
Butterfly Effect Festival ‘25
31 May 2025
MUNRO Festival
7 June 2025
Soundwave Festival
26 July 2025
Deershed Festival
25—28 July 2025
Hartlepool Folk Festival
3-5 October 2025
Listings subject to change, please check with the venue’s website for full information before booking.