Fortnightly Music Reviews from the streets of Teesside and beyond
Independent Venue Week: Red Rum Club, Cherryholt, KU Stockton, 30 January 2026
Red Rum Club made a triumphant sell out return to a favourite haunt for this celebratory Independent Venue Week event. The crowd were down early, excitedly awaiting the Merseysiders and were rewarded with a sparkling set from young supports, Cherryholt. Such a smooth sound, tuneful, melodic. And melancholic, reflective. New single The Bullet features shimmering guitars. The finale, Irresistible clicks into an irresistible tempo change before ramping up a big ending. A 5-piece guitar band making their mark on their first ever gig in Stockton. There will be an early opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with Cherryholt as they feature in Easter's Stockton Calling line up.
There are whoops of delight as Red Rum Club take to the stage. Frequent flyers in Ku Bar and other haunts across Teesside. I realise that this is actually the first time I've seen them as I once stood and listened from outside a sold out Stockton Calling festival stage. They have real popular appeal. And no wonder From the first number, 2025's Buck they pump out infectious high velocity guitar tunes. Straddling indie, glam but also smooching into Americana. The whole while singer Fran Doran is leading from the front, interacting with the crowd between numbers, asking us if we have been sticking to a dry January. He has had a hangover
every day after playing at the Ku Bar, he reveals, clearly Stockton and abstinence don't go hand in hand for the band with alcohol in their name.
To Fran's right Joe the Blow powers the trumpet that really brands Red Rum Club's unparalleled identity. His solos are exuberant and in the rare gaps between his playing his lips are parted by a beaming grin. Such a personable lot.
Arms are aloft in the throng, bopping through Afternoon and beyond. Nightcalling is a real groove along. Straight into an uplifting glam rock beat for Wild. You're a different kind of Animal to me and that means slowing it right down for the lilting Call Me On Your Comedown. We then get a cowboy tune for any cowboys in the house. Judging by the response there are plenty that must have hitched their horses on a railing outside Ku Bar. That is because Red Rum Club know how to give the people what they want and tell the people what they need!
And so we reach the guitar hook signalling Hole In My Home. And the whole crowd is joining in Ho wow-oh hole in my home, the chorus. It is a truly joyous uplifting way to finish the set. But it is freezing cold outside and we heed the pleas of Fran not to send him outside onto the street to await an encore. Instead Red Rum Club dive straight through four numbers ending in Angleline and Vanilla to truly lift the roof off this most atmospheric of venues and make it a really special Stockton Ku Bar, Red Rum Club, Independent Venue Week, moment. Wondrous.
Words: Robert Nichols
Pictures: Tracy Hyman
J.P. Riggall, James Leonard Hewitson, The Waiting Room, Eaglescliffe, 1 February 2026
Independent Venue Week stretched out into February for a soothing Sunday double header in the exceptionally capable of hands of two of the areas most innovative singer songwriters. In fact it turned out to be a triple header as Jim Riggall's guitar lead, Josh Atkinson (of Nice Guy) was coaxed into playing a a solo number.
It was an intimate setting so perfect for confession and James Leonard Hewitson admitted he felt more at ease on trumpet or bass than the acoustic guitar but you would never have known. You can't fly a plane with a broken wing he regaled just as Rick Dobbin crash landed on his seat with a Waiting Room pudding. We all tried not to be too distracted by the amazing aroma. Fill My Head With Sugar seemed a suitable response from James.
There was a wonderfully sensitive song from the perspective of James granny Time Travelling in her dementia. There is always time for an old JLH standard in Only The Noise Will Save Me, the Hartlepool song writer wondered if it sounded too much like the tune for a Fiat Punto or Dior perfume advert. The first single Deader sealed the deal. Seven years on and this ear worm of a song has lasting appeal.
A seated Jim Riggall transported us far from
Eaglescliffe, we were wading through word play, spiralling guitars and snow, out, Way Beyond The Pines. Songs drawn down from his 2020 album Hotel Wilderness were based on the different stories of those trapped in the motel he told us. These included a shadowy face in a dream sequence. The last single Monterey actually appeared to Jim in a dream. So, he obviously never stops writing even when unconscious. Then again he sings about how he had dreamt of his wife Emma for years before they actually met. Spooky stuff and his voice has that tremulous haunting, imploring quality
There is a beautiful interplay throughout between the two guitars of John and J.P. It is gentle. It is textured. It is a simmering, shimmering Sunday service. We now deep dive into a nautical conclusion as Jim addresses special requests to play The Swimmer and Sea Coal Collectors... see how the ocean reflects us. Swimmingly good tall tales from the deep end of The Waiting Room Independent Venue Week.
Words: Robert Nichols
Pictures: Tracy Hyman
Deadletter,
The Dolphin, Robin Hood’s Bay, 12 February 2026
Tracy spotted this most unlikely of gigs advertised online. We pounced on tickets and even though Winter was closing in again we raced across the moor road for a must see gig.
One of the most exciting bands around, Deadletter absolutely slayed Deer Shed Festival a couple of years ago in their native North Yorkshire and released a 5 star debut album, Hysterical Strength. This Winter they were primed and ready to launch their second long player. A delay forced the cancellation of the album tour and yet somehow here they were playing in a packed pub back room right at the bottom of the hill in The Dolphin, Robin Hood's Bay. If that is not exciting, I don't know what is.
Now settled in London, Deadletter have roots local to the wonderful picturesque Robin Hoods Bay, and after many days holed up rehearsing their new album they were desperate to burst out and test drive. Hence the gig at the recently revamped and renovated harbourside venue.
Straight in with the opening numbers from the new Existence is Bliss album, Purity and To The Brim. Zac
Lawrence's rich baritone is pulsing out lyrics with the urgency of delivering life-saving instructions. He admits the lack of stage means he cannot see the whites of our eyes which is probably why he swims out into the current and counter current of the writhing crowd. Back on the stage Zac has deserted, the saxophone is every bit as essential as the two guitars, but everything is underpinned by the umbilical chords of bass and drum rhythms.
Earlier, Deadletter standards Mere Mortal and Fit For Work are greeted like old friends but new song Cheers is one that really stands out and we quickly learn to shout out volleys of Cheers.
We find out afterwards that there are many devoted followers who must carve a return journey through the blizzard swept moors back to the Midlands. Yet for locals and long distance fans alike, this has been a special show. And for the band also. Everyone is going out on a limb. As in the lyrics of tumultuous album and gig finale, Meanwhile in Parallel, it could so easily have all come crashing down. Why play it safe when Existence Can Be Bliss?
Words: Robert Nichols
Pictures: Tracy Hyman
Hector Gannet, The Early Purple, The Vault, Hexham
13 February 2026
Descending into a subterranean world beneath medieval Hexham and nestling beneath the old stone vaults we were in for an absolute Saturday night treat. One of the north east's outstanding talents Hector Gannet and a brand new performer, for me, in Early Purple, were on the menu in a venue packed to capacity and absolutely oozing atmosphere.
“We are all vaulters.” was our intro to a wonderful night before our genial host handed over to Early Purple. Named after an early flowering orchid, we were told, it will soon be time to flower, once the rain stops!
Early Purple aka Matt has a lovely, gentle voice. Playing his acoustic along to a click track and occasional backing track his cover of San Francisco band The Range of Light Wilderness was interrupted by his own mobile. How on earth did he get a signal deep beneath
Gannet sings from the heart and sings from his roots. With a young child keeping him awake at night Hector Gannet aka Aaron Duff was fuelled by paracetamols but the quality of his rich vocal delivery and those amazing poetic story lines was gorgeous medicine for all us Vaulters.
With a powerful yet highly emotive vocal Hector Gannet absolutely captivates the audience. His songs spring from the sea or the very rock formations, as in the Whin Sill, the foundation of the north east. Or an exploration of the vision of a great artist in Turner. But the man in the woollen fisherman's hat also gives a voice to everyday people and situations. A modern folk conductor Hector Gannet has a habit of making everyone feel that bit more special. Even the phantom harmonica player Aaron has twice witnessed in a local Morrisons superstore.
Switching between acoustic, electric and piano he shifts moods like a change in the weather but all for
The Lice, Dead Hombres, Gaydar, The Georgian Theatre, Stockton-on-Tees, 21 February 2026
What an occasion. Teesside punk pioneers The Lice burned brightly for a year playing all the pubs and clubs of their day and then split. That was back in 1978. After 48 years they are back on the stage of The Georgian Theatre following the rediscovery and release of four tracks recorded in London's legendary Gooseberry Studios. With t-shirts, collectors' numbered tickets, a new band logo and even intro music no stone has been left unturned in making this a night to remember. After nearly half a century away it is really something to celebrate.
If The Lice represent the first wave then trio Gaydar are new faces of 21st century north east punk. Fiery, and uncompromising in their driving guitar, punk-itude and sexual politics. They play furious power punk. And are not shy when it comes to donning the wrestling masks either. There is a real sense of fun as well as punk power play in a Gaydar set.
Another 3-piece, Dead Hombres, absolutely let rip with their gothabilly rock. Lead guitar/vocals Nasty Nige has
walkabout through the audience, that's where they meet their Hangmen.
And so the stage is set fair for The Lice return. After the Clockwork Orange intro they appear, the veteran trio supplemented by a younger wingmen on guitar and bass. Singer Jonathan “Jonty” Pratt issues us a warning, “We haven't played together for 48 years so we might be a bit rusty.” Yet the years soon fall away, as old standards Slave Labour and Rejected are mixed and matched by specially penned new numbers We Are The Lice and Next Generation. “You thought we'd gone away.. we're still going strong,” voices Jonty (Earl Abuse) on lead vocals as spectacularly bespectacled Chris “Griz” Bell rams home another killer guitar riff.
There is so much in the energy and bite of their music driven on by David “Spider” Martin on drums that sounds fresh today. Sadly. the messaging in the lyrics to Fight The Front still resonate. Substitute National Front for the 21st century racist right. “We don't want them around.” It is a great sentiment and a powerful song and worthy of a reprise at the end of the gig, this time Jonty wearing a Donald Trump mask.
The breaking news is The Lice have had such a good time with their reunion that they intend to play on.
Bosworth Quintet
Café: Young Musician’s Showcase
From Freebrough Hill to Cuddy’s Cave with The Hand of Glory: Bob Beagrie, Bob Fischer, Nev Clay
Richie Harrison & Band, Brass Eyed Dragons, Jam Buddies
Listings subject to change, please check with the
before booking.
RnB:
Zeta point (EP Launch), Beano, Grasping at
and Camille (The Subways) – Loud & Unplugged
Listings subject to change, please check
Helicon, Man of Moon
Robyn Errico – EP launch
Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra
Dean Owens and the Sinners
Rheingans Sisters
Industrial Coast: Zosha Warpeha, Ipek Eginli, Toi Guy, Pale World & Y Gwacter
Royal Northern Sinfonia –Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony
Live and Local: Corduroy Boy, James Witham, Sasha Sky
That Clare, The flow state, Pegging Mitchell
Teesside Radicals Book Fair Fundraiser: Sara Dennis, Glen and Dave’s Solidarity Singalong
Plumhall (full band), Avril Sayers, Chris Allon
Eclipse Goth Night: Chaos Bleak, Machiner
Kathryn Williams, Matt Deighton
North East Opera: My Great Folk
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St Barnabas Church, Middlesbrough
Hutton Rudby Village Hall
Middlesbrough Town Hall
The Forum, Darlington
Toft House, MIddlesbrough
March £3 + bf £4 OTD 8pm Vixen Bar, Hartlepool
The Waiting Room, Eaglescliffe
Listings subject to change, please check with the venue’s website for
information before booking. Stockton Calling 4 April 2026 The Rift 1 May - 3 May 2026 A Stone’s Throw Festival 23 May 2026