FEATURE Last Train Home

For those who don’t know (or care), Darlington is marking 200 years since the first passenger railway journey to Stockton. As part of the celebrations, the journals of Locomotion No. 1 engineer George Stephenson and railway founding father Joseph Pease have been made public. Pease apparently hoped future generations would mark the occasion with a “kick-ass arts extravaganza,” while Stephenson simply wished the good people of Darlington would “let their hair down.”

Luckily, for them and the legacy of the railways, Tracks have announced the 2025 edition of their railway-acknowledging music and comedy festival, Last Train Home, taking place Saturday 6^th September, with spin-off events either side of the big day.

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PRE & POST FUN

This year sees the return of LTH Express at Hopetown Darlington on Thursday 4^th September. Headliners Sunflower Thieves bring layered, melodic pop with themes of connection, mental health and relationships. Support comes from Darlington’s Americana outfit North Riding and folk-influenced songwriter Phil Cox.

On Saturday morning, The Forum Music Centre hosts the On Point Music Conference (10am–12pm), a free, informal session of round-table discussions programmed by Tees Music Alliance. It’s aimed at artists and creatives looking to develop their practice and build connections, with guests including Shakk (BBC Introducing), Boo (Tees Valley Artist of the Year), Henry Carden (Quiet Crown Management), Nicola Coaker (nrthrnbaby) and Tom Salmon (Arts Council England).

New for 2025, the event extends into Sunday with a free afternoon of live music in Darlington’s Market Square. Running 1pm–7pm, it’s a laid-back, family-friendly close to the weekend.

MUSIC

2025’s line-up brings together musical talent from the North East, across the UK and beyond. Du Blonde headlines the Noisy Daughters stage at The Hullabaloo, delivering explosive riffs, punk ferocity and power-pop hooks. Support comes from Leeds alt. rockers Venus Grrrls, fresh from Download Festival and the Royal Albert Hall. At The Forum, Newcastle alt. rock trio The Pale White whip up the crowd with catchy songs and live energy. Darlington Hippodrome’s second stage, curated by NARC. Magazine, features Dinky Bosetti, fan favourite Perfect Chicken and Hartlepool’s Marketplace. The main stage hosts rising local talent George Bailey, BBC Introducing pick Lovely Assistant, and a headline set from Ruth Lyon, known for evocative narratives and angular indie folk. Main support comes from Dilettante, bringing genre-hopping loops, fuzz guitars and five-part sax harmonies. This year also marks the festival’s first international bookings: Germany’s Lawn Chair play their Beck/Devo-inspired set at The Hullabaloo, while Spanish hip-hop duo Dupla bring high-energy to The Forum.

LOLS

Bringing the laughs is Hilarity Bites. Their comedy all-dayer, included in the same ticket as the music, runs throughout Saturday. It’s a drop-in format – stay for a set or settle in for the full day – and features touring comics and rising names including Paul Tonkinson, Laura Davis, Micky P. Kerr, Tom Taylor, Alex Mitchell, Anth Young, Amy Albright, Gareth the Poet and El Purnell. Hosting duties fall to Elaine Robertson.

WATCHING BANDS IN A BEAUTIFUL THEATRE

Darlington Hippodrome opened on 2nd September 1907 under Signor Rino Pepi and had a major restoration in 2017. Its ornate gold and red velvet interior adds grandiosity to performances and sometimes, if you look up at the dress circle during an artist’s set, you might catch the ghost of Mr Pepi smiling down – making devil horn signs with his hands (he loves to rock out).