Narc. Magazine Online
Reliably informed
Lee Fisher, Kate Relton and Steve Spithray from the NARC team offer the low down on this year’s edition of the stellar Stockton Calling
It’s the most wonderful time of the year again…festival season! Traditionally one of the first multi-venue shindigs to take place in the region, Stockton Calling takes over the Teesside town on Easter Saturday (19th April, to all you heathens). We say it every year, but that’s because it’s true – the line-up is a belter!
If big-name headliners are the yardstick you measure events by, consider this one a whopper. Topping the bill are Tyneside’s thrilling indie rock hit-factory Maxïmo Park; introspective grungy folk artist Melanie Baker; gospel, soul and punk rock duo Big Special; Yorkshire’s nu-punk five-piece The Paddingtons; emotive indie pop artist Finn Forster; confessional pop rocker Lizzie Esau; socially-aware rapper EV; glam-tinged, melodramatic rock band Picture Parlour; and Manchester’s muso elites Rolla. Read on to get a taste of what else is in store and check the website for more…
Image: Melanie Baker by Ellen Dixon
IF YOU LIKE…
LIVE EXTRAVAGANZAS
Get yourself down to the front for these thrilling live propositions… There’s hard-hitting indie punk with flashes of shoegaze from The North; prolific multi-instrumentalist Harriet Rose presents a powerhouse blend of indie Americana; enjoy infectious and riotous psych pop courtesy of Honey Motel; guitar and drums duo GANS offer up hard-hitting lyrics and electronic flourishes; Liverpool’s Wull promise dark pop post-punk; expect unbridled energy and addictive grooves from Alien Chicks; Baby Said bring fresh attitude and big tunes; expect a punchy Madchester-inspired set from indie rockers Marseille; there’s incredible dance rock from six-piece Adult DVD; the Spitfires pull inspiration from electronic, jazz, 70s punk and ska; and Sheffield’s Bromhead’s Jacket will prove why they’ve got a fearsome live reputation for their garage rock sound.
Image: Finn Forster
THE NEXT BIG THING
Your new favourite band could be right here… Sister Madds’ catchy hooks and pop rock anthems come with a punk ethos and arch lyricism; there’s summery lo-fi goodness from Nature Kids; rabble-rousers The Velvet Hands bring their bolshy punk; electrifyingly experimental, Waldo’s Gift blend jazz, rock and electronic sounds; there’s rich and brooding vibes from Imogen & The Knife; Currls’ sound encompasses raw-edged rock, grungey garage and driving punk; Home Counties present a playful and ramshackle combination of 2000’s dance pop and furious post-punk; experience Cherry Seraph’s narcotically drifting dream pop; and Arkayla mix angular and snarly vocal power with dirty Brazilian rhythm to get you dancing.
Image: Picture Parlour by Briony Graham-Rudd
LOCAL TREATS
The North East’s artists always deliver… Witness the anthemic rousing indie rock of Darlington’s Blackout the Arcade; Hayley McKay teams up with David Neil Crabtree for North Riding’s Americana-tinged set; there’s biting honesty and powerful melodies from Frankie Dobson; Lottie Willis’ evolving sound is likened to Phoebe Bridgers and Kate Nash; Stockton’s Rare Breed are lovers of noughties pop-punk; Bitchfinder General offer a joyful, multi-media, dayglo-and-chainmail queer punk explosion; Look Terrified are a riot of neon, beats, frank lyrics, pop chops and a whole lot of confidence; there’s expansive dualling guitars and reverb-drenched emotive vocals from Weathership; Sunderland scamps Dead Wet Things have a thrilling punk sound; Teesside alt. rockers Mr Bigfoot present anthems for millennial life; there’s hard-hitting tunes from neo-riot grrrl outfit Dinky Bosetti; Parissa Zarifi’s improvised violin loops and haunting lyrics have made her a rising star; Sunderland’s synth pop duo CHAT are all your guilty pleasures come true; Isabel Maria’s vulnerable lyricism and quietly beautiful voice is utterly beguiling; songwriter and pianist Liz Corney’s music is irresistibly joyful; veteran feral rockers Avalanche Party always deliver a great set; expect pure pop dynamics and searingly honest lyrics from Loren Heat; there’s jazz and neo-soul from SwanNek; while Marina Josephina brings Teesside-flavoured soul and R&B.
