Organisers of Sunderland’s acclaimed Waves Festival have announced the first wave of acts for Ripples 2025 – a special one-off event taking place on Saturday 15th November. Designed to keep the spirit of the festival alive during a year of funding challenges, Ripples will bring a day of live music across three stages at two of the city’s most iconic grassroots venues, Independent and Space Bar.
Since its launch in 2021, Waves Festival has established itself as a key player in the North East’s cultural calendar, championing both local and national talent across a multi-venue format in Sunderland’s city centre. However, due to a lack of available funding, the festival is taking a brief pause from its full-scale format in 2025. Rather than let the year pass without celebration, organisers have created Ripples, a concentrated, high-energy event that keeps the heart of the festival beating, offering artists and audiences a reason to gather and connect.
The first line-up announcement is already generating buzz. Brighton’s explosive punk trio SNAYX headline the initial bill, bringing their electrifying live presence and politically charged energy to Wearside. Joining them is rising psych-rock outfit Ellis·D, known for their immersive and intense live shows, and alt-rock force Jools, whose dynamic performances and poetic lyricism have won them a loyal following. They’re joined by a diverse mix of emerging artists, including Critch, Distant Listening, Galaxians, Leazes, Lottie Willis, Marketplace, Patrick Gosling, The Empire Police, and Wool. More acts are expected to be revealed in the lead-up to the event.
Festival organisers shared their excitement about the project, stating: “Ripples is about keeping the spirit of Waves alive and continuing to give a platform to incredible artists from the North East and beyond. We’re buzzing to share this first line-up and to bring a packed day of live music back to Sunderland this November.”
Ripples will make full use of Independent and Space Bar’s performance spaces, offering three stages of non-stop music throughout the day. Both venues are central to Sunderland’s thriving music scene, with Independent in particular recognised as one of the city’s leading grassroots spaces, regularly hosting both national touring acts and local talent.
While 2025 may be a transitional year, the organisers have made clear their commitment to the future of Waves Festival. Work is already underway to bring the full multi-venue experience back in 2026, with ambitions to grow and develop the festival further in the years to come.
Tickets, priced from £25.00 in advance, are available at fatsoma.com.
