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Robert Nichols enjoys a day packed with musical talent at the sublime Teesside festival
Image: Walt Disco by Victoria Wai
All roads led to Middlesbrough for the 12th Twisterella festival. A multi-venue all dayer where you barely have to leave the same building to devour a veritable feast of musical talent. There are shed loads of emerging bands and solo performers to check out, both home grown and from further afield. Many, like headliners Walt Disco taking the high road down from Scotland.
Hartlepool’s Michael Gallagher opened the bill. Soul Food from the EP released earlier this year personifies Michael’s melodic indie guitar pop. He has moved away to the bright lights to turbo boost his musical career. Home, chronicles the pitfalls, thinking of the people I have left behind. But we all join in to toast his success as he entreats us to Pour Me Another. We’ll drink to that.
Twisterella co-promoters Kids Are Solid Gold and Henry Carden have learned many a trick during their twelve years, one way to get the crowds in early is to put a headline act on near the start. Roller Disco Death Party have built up a big following and reputation for their high octane electro disco parties. Fan favourites from last year’s Twisterella, and this year’s Stockton Calling and Deershed the duo’s diving drums and electronica soon see the dancefloor flooded by dancing, gyrating bodies. They are such great fun.
From Glasgow energy to two Teesside singer songwriter talents in the shape of Robyn Errico Deep Sea Diving for Whitby Jet and Rick Dobbin’s new vehicle Cybill Ends. Whispering Rick is enrapturing the crowd at the Buffs Club, a five minute walk from the Uni where Robyn has found a harpsichord sound to accompany her composition about her favourite Tudor histories.
It’s great to see Hartlepool’s Celia Grace bouncing back from challenging times to quietly storm the big stage with her softly spoken pop narratives. Smooth as silk harmonies from the young trio, we leave them searching for a second magpie.
The Lounge was the intimate stage where we drew our seats in close only to be absolutely blown away by the incredible voice of Newcastle’s Eddie Doyle. Tender, folky but with such depth, range and emotional power. Almost operatic. The nearest comparison which is not really that close might be Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins. Towards the end of her set Eddie had what she described has her first ever positive heckle. What a beautiful voice, a lady at the back found herself crying out.
Hector Gannet have a long awaited album out this month and opened with the title track from The Great Shakedown. It is a luxurious sound from the big band, a mighty juggernaut to propel the inspiring voice of singer Aaron Duff. Rockin’ folk from the heart and storytelling to tease at the heart strings down At The Jetty’s End.
The Rooks blast out their anthemic moves headlining at the Buffs. The crowd are up for it as they raise the tempo and temperature. They went out on tour with fellow Scottish indie band The Snuts this year and you feel they pack the power and intensity to put their name on 2027. Which is what Twisterella is all about following the next exciting step on the journey. Final act Walt Disco are several rungs further up the ladder, their Bowie-esque glam casts its spell and we wonder whether the sparkle, energy and rhyme of local Loren Heat will one day bring the festival to a similarly rapturous end. Can’t wait for that.
