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Damian Robinson enjoys an action-packed day of regional and national talent at the Sunderland festival fast making a name for itself as a must-attend on the festival calendar
Image: Dead Wet Things by Damian Robinson
Back for its fourth edition, Sunderland’s Waves festival continues to grow in size and stature; this year bringing together over 40 artists across eight different city centre venues. Given the number of artists on show today it’s an early start, but luckily Independent is ready to go and it’s House Proud who are my first act of the day, blazing across their short set with spiky guitars and a post-punk/hardcore edge. They’re on excellent form, especially given that it’s two o’clock in the afternoon.
Hanging around Independent, it’s local hip-hop superstar Kay Grayson who’s up next; maintaining her journey and production transformations and playing today with her and DJ/producer Ebenezzer Goode. Making jokes about the amount of fog inside of Independent, Grayson is as cool as always, bobbing and weaving across standout track Vain and cuts from her recent album, including the excellent Hollywood, which is nicely extended with live trumpet playing from Goode.
A quick run across to the packed-out Diego’s is timed well to get a ferocious set from two-piece Sewer Cats whose drum and guitar combination have clear White-Stripe vibes. Standing out with their cover of Milkshake, the Mancunian band end their set drenched with sweat given their non-stop assault on punk/rock and intense playing style.
As always the challenge with multiple line-ups and multiple venues is making hard choices about who to see and who has to wait for another day, so given the recent hype, my decision is to go early to Pop Recs and wait for Sheffield’s Work in TV. It’s a decision that proves wise given the absolutely magnificent show from the pop-art-New-York-styled-turn-of-the-century-six-piece, who blend post-punk brilliantly with exciting sounds and well-crafted songs. Standout tracks Something Good, Better Hours and The Good Life all soundtrack a band with original sounds, and something interesting to say about modern day working and aspirations. Given that this is their second show of the day (they played in Leeds earlier) they’re excellent.
A quick run around to Independent is perfect to get local star Michael Gallagher’s intense indie pop set in. Lively and packed to the rafters, Gallagher and his four-piece band are on fine form, with Summer Girl standing out in the set with its mostly post-punky-major-key upbeat tempo catching the crowd and showcasing a fine artist with some excellent songs.
Half six sees the opening of the Fire Station and it’s local scene-stealers Dead Wet Things who are on first, playing a set which bursts with energy, edge and genuine excitement. Big Baggy Pants and Shake Your Bones, from their recent EP, stand out in a performance which combines the sarcastic spoken work of John Cooper Clark with the punk edge of the Libertines. Toples and caged in fluorescent sunglasses, the Dead Wet Things play a fine set filled with spike and wit.
A final walk down to Pop Recs is my last walk of the day; digging in now for the two main stage headliners. Up first, Leeds based pop-funksters Galaxians play a typically banging set, complete with electro grooves mixed with live drumming and keys – they’re astounding live. Regulars to Waves festival, it’s a nice change to see the duo play a slot which isn’t at the end of the night and gives the sober(ish) crowd a chance to see them before they’re too blurry eyed.
A final show by local champions Benefits, closes down the Pop Recs stage for this year. It’s busy, and filled with a sing-along crowd who give a suitable reaction to a band whose momentum continues to grow. Moving into a more electro field, tonight showcases a transformation of live sounds and effects from earlier Benefits moments; the focus now being switched to the Teesside act’s vocals and darker lyrics. Recent singles stand out for a band who continue to grow and transform, whilst maintaining their consistent integrity.
I’ve seen loads of great acts today, and I’ve missed more than I’ve seen, and it all proves that Waves continues to be one of the greatest North East festivals on the calendar. Fantastic.
