So on the Saturday just gone, myself and two of my best friends headed into the depths of Stockton-On-Tees using local transport to get ourselves in. The intention of this foray was to attend one of the leading multi venue festivals for upcoming music from all genres from across the country, and in this was our opportunity to seek out the punkier side of this event, along with anything else that pricked our musical fancy. After meeting up with many many more friends at the ARC Arts Centre, chatting about music, photography and a sharing of which bands/artists are on their radar for the day, it was time to head along to our first venue of choice, or rather the only place to catch the first band of the day, the opener, a slot that Teesside band Dossers took last year and smashed it. Strawberry Fires did the honours this year, a packed audience cleary enjoyed some of what they heard, but although not really what we were looking for, it was a good solid start.

I’m gonna spend the next part of this review, dragging you through streets and venues of Stockton, letting you in on and dropping some photo’s that hopefully give you a feel for what the band/artists were about.  What I won’t do is spend a ridiculous amount of time explaining the songs or the style, just how good they were and my opinion as to whether you should go give them a listen. Hopefully my words can paint a picture of music worth giving time to.

George Bailey was someone that wasn’t originally on my list, but timings and proximity gave us the chance to catch him and the band playing in the Georgian Theatre to a packed crowd at a pretty early 2pm.  His Indie Rock sound that also has hints of folk, played with an energy and feeling that conveys just how much he wants you to feel involved in his sometimes subversive lyrics.

George Bailey was someone that wasn’t originally on my list, but timings and proximity gave us the chance to catch him and the band playing in the Georgian Theatre to a packed crowd at a pretty early 2pm.  His Indie Rock sound that also has hints of folk, played with an energy and feeling that conveys just how much he wants you to feel involved in his sometimes subversive lyrics.

Next up and definitely an ‘on the list’ band were Teesside’s own Rare Breed, a powerhouse of punk and hardcore, a young yet fully capable band who played loud and hard from start to finish, again to a packed Green Room crowd.

As you will start to understand, this was a well planned, yet not so well executed, wander from venue to venue, thus throwing up some surprises, but also having to forego seeing some artists we had wanted to see. A band called Camel Island were our first casualty, but this meant we got to our next venue and even had time to drink some alcohol before Mr Big Foot hit the stage at NE Volume Bar. Having seen this band a few times before now, it came as no surprise that there rock/punk sound has evolved, their musical tightness and song writing has moved forward in leaps and bounds. This was a lesson in how energy can be channelled into a performance that had us all enthralled, this was Grunge and Indie at its most wonderful best.

Next venue to have us reprobates was ARC 2, for the full on gen-z rock pop of Sister Madds, this Glasgow born band, I’d like to say I’m the first, but I very much doubt it, to liken them to The Donnas. This was a band made of pure pleasure and joy and it overflowed into every listener in there that afternoon. I know its not punk, and this is the place of it, but we all like to champion what is new and individual in the music scene, and this was a band and performance that warrants more of anyones time.

Staying in the same building but the other main stage of the day, we managed to catch a few sublime songs from the vocal wonder that was Imogen & The Knife, a songstress who soared beautifully in such a big room. Its not often these days that you get to listen to a live act using what I believe was a flugelhorn to wonderful affect, but Imogen obviously knows that being different can bring a sound that holds true to the songs. Imagine PJ Harvey with a softer but non the less grittier plethora of songs.

Having to leave an act early is always a wrench, but sometimes in a festival setting it just has to be done in order to not miss bands you really want to see. So heading out into the daylight, we set off for our walk along to The Link venue to catch a DIY sounding outfit that got us all excited when they were announced for this day. Bitchfinder General didn’t disappoint, from start to finish this was a pleasure to behold, music that sometimes felt disjointed, but never really was, lyrics that deserved to be heard by all, and a sense of empowerment was laid bare.  This is music played live that never sits around for long enough to be labelled, its wordy and meaningful, but also danceable and fun to boot.

After some food and more beer, its was time to make another of this choices, who to see and who not to see, Home Counties won out for this time. The Georgian Theatre was top of the pile in the day for sound quality and this gave possibly the biggest band numerically an edge. Having already had their debut album ‘Exactly As It Seems’ out for just short of a year, it was remiss of myself not to have been witness to them live, especially as they play what can only be described as post-punk funk with a huge dollop of groove. Its not always about angst in the socially conscious world, and this band proves it in a massive way, you can dance yet still call out shit landlords!

I said I was not going to write to much and let some of the photo’s I took do some of the talking, I hope this is the case so far. Alien Chicks were calling us now, venue The Social Room which despite its low ceiling, can be great sounding.  What can I say about this act, other than playing punk rock that’s like funk that’s been plugged into the mains. It’s live wire stuff, it’s punchy and yet thoughtful, go to a gig of theirs and don’t blame me when you leave feeling drained.

Another moment in a multi venue festival where leaving early from one band, in order to catch another happened now, Gans were the culprits in making this a thing, a well, worth it trip over the road to ARC 2 again though. Having your head pummelled with drums and guitar that grind a whole in your sole, but some how do this over lyrics that can be heart rending is no mean feat, but this is exactly what Gans do with every inch of their being, to an crowd that soaks it all up and still wants more. The question that now arrives with us, is how do you follow all that and make it your ending shout, with Big Special of course! The Georgian Theatre was just spilling out from the previous gig when we arrived, Avalanche Party obviously did exactly what their name suggests, the room was hot sweaty and your feet stuck to the floor if you didn’t move more more than 5 seconds. 

I’d only ever seen Big Special once before, but was blown away by the way that the music was not only powerful and clever, but also that it was a wake up to the world we live in.  A torpedo that has just been fired at you is how to describe this band, it’s all about drawing you in to their sights, dropping some hand grenades of songs. All the while knowing that the motherload is coming from below to explode your mind, and that’s exactly what they do/did that night in Stockton. Sadly this was the end of our Stockton Calling for another year, a sad but true fact. If you ever in the area at the right time, get yourself along with an open musical mind. Perfectly organised chaotic music for happening people, what more could you ask for in a festival?

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