NEWS: Swine Tax @ Star & Shadow Cinema

Image by Chris Crowder

Hiatus is probably an alien concept to Swine Tax, yet even by their standards the onset of 2019 has brought with it a ravenous sense of purpose. As though a recent succession of singles wasn’t enough, the prolific indie rockers are poised to unveil their new single I’d Like this month; and mark the occasion with their biggest headline show to date at Newcastle’s Star & Shadow Cinema on Friday 22^nd March. The evening also provides a de facto launch for their new promotions vehicle, Full Pelt, with a stacked line-up epitomising their commitment to gracing our ears with fresh alternative sounds.

Topping the supporting cast are Glasgow’s Current Affairs, a terrific group whose combination of washed out, reverb-doused guitars and jittery, kinetic rhythms provide a colourful evocation of post-punk’s urgent late ‘70s and early ‘80s halcyon era. With gothic leanings bearing more than a passing resemblance to Siouxsie and the Banshees, their North East debut is a prospect enticing enough to elevate any bill.

The local offerings are pretty tasty too, taking in bittersweet, hook-laden songwriting from Hartlepool’s James Leonard Hewitson, Newcastle’s explosive and experimental noise punks No Teeth and Sunderland’s rapidly-emerging supergroup-of-sorts, White Legs. What’s more, advance tickets cost just £4 – that’s a frankly absurd 80p per act. I’ve spent more on a packet of Monster Munch!