If you’re looking to discover your next favourite local band, ARC’s Soundcheck nights are a pretty good place to start.
The series has quickly become a regular fixture for anyone keen to hear what’s coming next from the North East music scene, and on Thursday 10th September, it returns with four very different acts taking to the stage.
This time around, Northern Hospitality take the headline slot, and Hartlepool’s indie-punks are certainly no strangers to making an impression. Their sound combines punk-driven guitars, big choruses and plenty of attitude, but there’s a genuine emotional honesty running through it, too. As frontman Gaz Price told us recently, the band are built on ‘energy and personality’, with the aim of making audiences feel part of something loud, chaotic and unforgettable.
They’ve certainly been putting that into practice. A packed-out Stockton Calling set earlier this year saw around 300 people cram into the room, with so many turning up that others had to be turned away. They’ve also shared stages with the likes of Pete Doherty, Kaiser Chiefs, Feeder and Tom Meighan, while their latest single, ‘Fading Out’, marks another step forward for a band who clearly aren’t interested in standing still.
Also on the bill are Stockton trio Risco, whose surf-rock, indie and alternative influences come together in songs rooted in everyday experiences. They’ve been steadily finding audiences both around Teesside and further afield, making this another chance to catch a band whose sound continues to develop.
End Credits bring something rather different to the evening, with the Teesside trio blending psych, fuzz, rock and funk. Named one of BBC Introducing North East’s ‘Ones to Watch’ for 2025, they’ve already shared stages with The View, Kaiser Chiefs, Feeder and Ocean Colour Scene, while taking their own headline shows to Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds.
Opening the night are Rose Malus, whose recent single, ‘Abruptly Uninspired’, showcases the alt-rock trio’s developing sound. With their energetic live performances and growing presence on the local circuit, they’re another promising addition to a night dedicated to showcasing the next wave of North East talent.
With four North East acts sharing the bill, Soundcheck is a chance to hear what’s happening across the region’s grassroots scene right now – and, if you’re lucky, discover the band you’ll be telling everyone about next.
Tickets, priced at £10.00 in advance, are available at arconline.co.uk.
