I’ve had the pleasure of seeing hundreds of local, and not-so-local, solo artists and bands play live in 2022 at NE Volume Music Bar and at venues across the region. But having seen all 10 of these artists live this year, I’m expecting big things from all of them in 2023.
Here’s by top 10 artists you should see live in 2023:
White Noise.: The winner of our first-ever Battle of the Bands competition at NE Volume Music Bar in Stockton, this Teesside psychedelic indie-pop outfit are ones to look out for. They’re also releasing their debut album, ‘The Traveller’ this month, featuring a mixture of psychedelia, indie-rock melancholy and joy, and will be playing the Westgarth Social Club, Play Brew, our own NE Volume Music Bar and Billingham Catholic Club.
Gone Tomorrow: Gone Tomorrow are an alternative rock band from Teesside. Formed last year, their passionate, energetic, snarling music blends raw, garage rock-inspired guitar elements with ominous-sounding synths and heart-on-sleeve, emotive lyrics.
The Collectors: The Collectors are a young, up-and-coming Britpop band from Teesside with bags of potential. Formed last year, they played their first-ever gig at our venue in 2022 and have now sold-out the venue on more than one occasion.
Viia: Initially a solo artist, Olivia Kate Smith started writing songs at the age of just 13. Now the lead in a fully-fledged up-and-coming alt/indie-rock outfit, Viia decided to take a poetic spin on her songs, filling them with her personal experiences.
Provenance: A brand new indie-pop outfit from Teesside, Provenance are another band that played their first-ever gig at our own NE Volume Music Bar. They’re gone from strength to strength since their debut gig, now playing shows right across the region.
Rose Malus: Rose Malus are another brand new alt-indie outfit from Teesside that have made huge strides this year. Always eager to support bands just starting out, they also played their first-ever gig at our very own NE Volume Music Bar in Stockton.
Mascara’s Lies: Comprised of Oscar McCall-Smith (vocals, bass, synth) and Joseph Richardson (drums, piano, percussion, vocals), Mascara’s Lies are an alternative pop/rock band from Middlesbrough. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Muse, Foals and Biffy Clyro, the band fearlessly experiments with a variety of genres in their music to create a sound truly unique to them.
Burn the Valley: Burn the valley are a heavy melodic three-piece from Teesside. With roaring guitar, melodic bass & pounding drums, they bear likeness to early Radiohead, The Smashing Pumpkins & Nirvana.
Sarah Johnsone: Touching, heartfelt indie-pop is what you can expect from the North East’s Sarah Johnsone, with tracks reminiscent of Celeste, Mazzy Star and Laura marline.
Labyrinthine Oceans: A northern grungy, funky, trancey dream-rock outfit, they have something for pretty much every music taste. Expect dark, gripping music, driving guitar riffs, and bewitching vocals.
