This wasn’t an easy decision as there are so many fantastic artists/bands coming out of the North East at the moment and my list could have been 50+. But after a long, hard think here are the top 10 North East artists/bands that I personally think you should see live in 2018 (in no particular order).
- The Pale White
These Newcastle garage rockers have supported the likes of The Libertines this year and also played main stage at Hardwick Live. They’re set to play their biggest headline gig to date as they head to Riverside, Newcastle in January.
- Cape Cub
Teesside-based indie pop band Cape Cub, put together by Saltburn’s Chad Male, have come on leaps and bounds since their formation. Having received over a million Spotify plays for tracks such as ‘Keep Me in Mind’ and ‘All I Need ‘, I’m expecting big things from them this year – especially with their new line-up.
- Mouses
This lo-fi duo from Billingham know exactly how to put on a live show, with frontman Steven Bardgett typically jumping into the crowd to scream at the top of his lungs and drummer Nathan Duff always playing with vigour and ferocity.
- Velvoir
Newcastle’s Velvoir are, well, how can I put it – they’re different. With their artsy and unique take on the human condition, they’re well-known for their mind-bending performances that will have you questioning your own existence.
- Avalanche Party
Everything about Avalanche Party is chaotic. Their name, image and sound are a hectic mix of garage and punk rock that has crept its way out of the North Yorkshire Moors into the sleeping public domain. They’re anthemic, simplistic and loud in all the right places.
- The Voluntears
Surely one of the most hard working bands the North East has to offer, the blues-tinged rockers from Durham have continued to perform at some of the biggest events and venues the region has to offer, including the 02 Academy, Times Square and Hardwick Live.
- Samantha Durnan
The Teesside songstress, whose vocals are always flawless, never fails to pull on the heart strings. She may have been a major part of the Teesside music scene for quite some time, but I’m just waiting for her to receive the recognition she so truly deserves.
- Feva
Newcastle indie rockers Feva, who will support The Pale White at Riverside in Newcastle in January, will also play a sold-out gig at Jumpin’ Jacks in December; showing their immense popularity at the moment and I can only see their popularity growing throughout 2018.
- Twister
Twister are another band, like The Voluntears, who have worked their socks off in order to try and make a name for themselves across the North East. And having recently played a ram-packed Georgian Theatre in Stockton, it’s only a short space of time before North East music lovers stand up and truly listen.
- Twist Helix
The synth-pop outfit from Newcastle draw on inspiration from their North East surroundings, and goings-on, in order to create powerful narratives that North East music lovers can relate to, such as the closing of art spaces (‘Pulse) and the struggle of finding small, fringe spaces that can accommodate new or experimental groups ( ‘Ouseburn’).
