Every year I task myself with writing this list and it doesn’t get any easier. There are so many incredible artists coming out of the North East at the moment and it’s impossible to fit them all in my top 10 list – maybe I’ll write a top 100 next year.
Anyhow, in no particular order, here are the 10 North East artists I really think you should see live in 2021 (all being well, of course).
Ocean Floor
Hartlepool’s Ocean Floor, put simply, are one of the region’s fastest-rising outfits. One of the most upbeat indie/dreamgaze bands you’ll see all year, their live performances are intoxicating and atmospheric occasions.
Bigfatbig
Chaotic, gutsy and aggressive, Bigfatbig are a North East band that certainly stand out from the crowd. With their ‘90s pop/punk-rock/grunge edge and ethos, they bring that nostalgic edge to their sets that will go down well with fans of ‘90s pop-punk.
Finn Forster
Teesside newcomer, Finn Forster, certainly hit the ground running with his debut single ‘Empty Promises’ in 2019. Finn’s music collectively brings a brand new authentic imagery of melodic indie-pop with huge folk influences.
Martha Hill
After being tipped as one of BBC Introducing’s “ones to watch”, followed by a feature on Jools Holland, northern musician Martha Hill is one of the most exciting emerging artists of 2020. The first single from EP ‘Summer Up North’, entitled ‘Grilled Cheese’, was not only named Huw Stephens’ track of the week and placed on numerous Spotify playlists but was also put on BBC6 music’s A-List playlist.
Sing Again Syren
Sing Again Syren are a three-piece rock powerhouse from Newcastle. The outfit take the spirit of classic rock and revitalise those sounds to create their unique style that challenges what a girl band is and should be.
Not Now Norman
Not Now Norman are a hard-rock four-piece hailing from Berwick-upon-Tweed. The outfit, fronted by the inspiring Taylor Mitchell, produce touching, sentimental, riff-heavy tracks filled with deeply personal themes.
Nice Guy
Formed in late 2018 in Teesside, Nice Guy are a five-piece indie-rock outfit who explore themes of love, loss and life. Producing hard-hitting lyrics backed by an energetic soundscape, the band recently released their first single, ‘Fake Leather’, a frenetic and impassioned track.
Crux
Newcastle rock band, Crux, channel their frustrations with a stagnating Northern lifestyle. With superb guitar riffs, a chirpy yet aggressive nature, and heavy use of political prose, this is a band that resonates with the hard-working people of the North East.
Me Lost Me
Solo electronic music project Me Lost Me, by artist/musician Jayne Dent, produces a mesmeric mix of thudding rhythms, lush vocal drones and haunting vocals that is genre-defying. Inspired by a plethora of genres including electronic, pop, folk, noise and ambient music, Jayne uses her voice as her main instrument alongside a concertina, looper and sampler to create her signature style.
Faye Fantarrow
Faye produces a conglomerate of genres within her self-penned tracks, with indie/pop and hints of folk at the forefront of her work. Influenced by North East starlets Sam Fender and Martha Hill, Faye has a great future ahead of her.
