IF YOU LIKE: Twisterella

Image: Loren Heat by Rob Irish

Now in its eleventh year, this Middlesbrough music festival showcasing the brightest emerging talent returns on Saturday 11th October. The all-day show will feature around 40 bands across five stages and each of the venues is a short walking distance from each other. Central to the action is the Teesside University Students’ Union, with venues radiating out on nearby Linthorpe Road and Southfield Road. In addition, there are pop-up sessions in some of Middlesbrough’s bars in nearby Baker Street and Bedford Street.

Twisterella specialises in giving a platform to up and coming acts and represents a great opportunity to find your next favourite band. With a ticket costing about the same as seeing a couple of new touring acts, Twisterella offers a chance to access a showcase of highly talented acts on the verge of going up to the next level, and give you bragging rights into the bargain. Here’s a few selected highlights from this year’s line-up…

IF YOU LIKE..

TOURING BANDS

Edinburgh’s Swim School return with their crunching guitar-driven indie rock in support of their self-titled debut album; Leeds-based six-piece Adult DVD bring their infectious hooks and grooves, guaranteeing an uplifting experience; Y present upbeat genre-defying kaleidoscopic sounds from London; there’s woozy Americana from Our Man In The Field; art punk courtesy of energetic and socially-engaged duo Scrounge; noisy genre-bending punk quartet PISS; the electronic dance vibes of Glasgow’s Roller Disco Death Party; folk-tinged slacker rock from Leeds’ Nature Kids; Welsh electronic dance punks Teethin, alongside many more to be announced.

LOCAL ARTISTS

A key element of Twisterella is showing off the variety of the region’s music scene. Enjoy sets fromTyneside’s punk outfit Irked; the 60s beat of Smith & Liddle; the psychedelic indie sound of Blackout The Arcade; Hartlepool’s Champ, who have just released their debut single Taste To Run; FKA Ajimal, Fran O’Hanlon returns to the North East with his gorgeous alt. indie project Mezanmi; hotly-tipped artist Loren Heat offers introspective yet expansive electro pop; multi-instrumentalist Parissa Zarifi’s sound is typified by emotive vocals and melodic violin improv; there’s raw and grungy noise courtesy of Teesside’s Dossers; post-punk new wave vibes from Middle Management, and much more.

INSIDER TIPS

It’s worth noting that one of the headliners often opens the larger Teesside University stage at the start of the day, making it worthwhile to arrive early. Study the clash checker and plan your route around the venues – there’s always something interesting going on! If you’re an artist looking to get your head around the world of the music industry, don’t miss an opportunity to attend the (Un)Conference on the morning. With a focus on bringing key music industry figures to the town to share their expertise and offer advice to new and developing musicians, there’s a chance to hear from likeminded artists, share tips and contacts and make valuable new pals. The listening panel offers a supportive and constructive opportunity to get your music heard.