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Damian Robinson enjoys a day of some of the best up-and-coming artists in the North at Gathering Sounds in Stockton
Image by Damian Robinson
Another month and another interesting combination of shows in Stockton – surely the most advanced part of the region when it comes to organising, and promoting, live music events; they just keep going and going.
Starting from 2pm Gathering Sounds, there’s a solid stable of excellent acts across the afternoon, landing in KU at The North jam out a fourpiece indie rock spirited show in the style of Inhaler. Soundtrack Your Soul stands out in a solid performance for the Leeds based outfit who’s all-out-rock, slightly grungy and deliberately lo-fi sound gives them the feeling of one of the American late 90s bands, like Semisonic, who were heavily influenced by mid-90’s Britpop. Lead singer Billy Memphis both acts, and looks, the part of a future indie hero.
Sheffield’s Cruz play Arc 2 with the fourpiece dressed all in black and clearly (musically) influenced by the pop rock of The 1975 and Arctic Monkeys. Full of the steel city’s dry wit, Cruz blaze through clever tunes about modern life; Take Off The Pressure, Play The Game and new song More Of The Same shine brightly, though it’s final song Life Of Misery which really showcases the bands full potential and promise. They end by saying they’ll be back soon and if they are then you should too.
Better Joy are up next in ARC’s main room – essentially a collective name for Bria Keely’s solo work wrapped around with a glorious threepiece band. Landing somewhere in the light pop rock section, Better Joy’s best asset is her ability to craft, and deliver, lovely pop vocals, shown off fully tonight on What A Day, new song Steamroller and a delicious cover of the New Radicals’ You Get What You Give. Playing with sparkly pop, Better Joy’s future is bright if she is able to craft songs that remain in the sweet spot of her radio pop vocals.
The theatrical Precious Pepala are up next providing deeper, richer, music than we’ve seen so far at Gathering Sounds, with a sound focused less on pop and more on classical/ West End styles. Driven by a solid vocal range and supported by two on-stage musicians, The duo bring both a theatre style energy and stagecraft to their show. Bubble Wrap, Looking For Trouble and Eve stand out in a set filled with prog rock textures riddled with dark, slightly gothic, heavily religious, narratives.
Dublin’s Big Sleep are on next at Arc 2, blasting through some sticky-indie-pop-rock in the style of early Kinks or Blur (circa Great Escape). Bouncy, and appearing to never stand still, the fourpiece breeze through an impressive set of lively pop tunes with Shiver standing out thanks to its mix of major chords and pop hooks.
Maintaining the Irish theme, Somebody’s Child close the ARC stage tonight with perhaps the largest crowd of the day. All shimmering Cure meets post punk sounds and production, Somebody’s Child dive deep into the light side of dark guitar lines and vocals. It’s incredibly powerful in an 80s stadium rock type of way fixated on a New Jersey type of realness and guitar lines. Lead singer Cian Godfrey stands out thanks to his David Byrne style physical performance; seemingly driven by a high energy, electric rod just out of sight – which supports his ability to bop, jit and pop both simultaneously and constantly. Irish Goodbye stands out in a set which, stylistically and energetically, makes them a proper Saturday night headliner and an intense live band.
There’s a few more headline shows to get to at different stages, but by 10pm it’s time to leave. Another excellent Gathering Sounds. Another excellent festival in Stockton.
