Festivals have moved a long way since their beginnings, and now a totally new breed is emerging. Small independent festivals are gradually plotting themselves around the country drawing artists and bands from far and wide. Stockton Calling is one that has built up a reputation for itself in recent years, bringing some of the nations most renown and established artists to the likes of KU and The Arc. Like many of the smaller independent festivals, Stockton Calling relies on a number of venues to club together in order to put all the bands they want to on. The venues are as follows; ARC, KU Bar, The Georgian Theatre, Storytellers, The Vault, The Sun Inn, The Green Room, The H.M Bark Endeavour Stage and Theme. It's a multi-venue approach and works really well allowing you to test the ales in every establishment. Stockton is superb for its live music scene and Stockton Calling is one of the best music events to attend in the calendar year.
So this year we've been lucky enough to be invited to Stockton Calling.
Here's some of the artists that Move On Up believe are worth checking out!
Before we look at the bands I've name checked below here's some of the ones I've discovered since writing the first draft of this article. The Sons of Bido Lito, great little band, with an immense sound. 60's jangily guitars entwined with powerful drum beats make these boys a band to see live! They dress well too and have good haircuts! What more do you need? They are playing The Georgian Theatre Stage on the day! The Revolve a band I recently saw live at KU are back playing the infamous Teesside venue for Stockton Calling. Their latest single 'Living in a Dream' screams indie potential and really gets your feet tapping. Attitude and good guitar riffs make these lads a band to catch. They capture their audience perfectly and are a very tight knit band. Playing live is their major strong point and really emphasizes their songs! Get to this! Cellar Door another band on the bill who I've seen a few times, nice 80's synth sound with a bit of Joy Division thrown in there for good measure they play the Green Room and are a band I'd definitely go and see. Gallery Circus are a great indie duo and are friends of my cousin, I've met the lads and they are great! Playing the H.M Bark Endeavour Stage the lads combine tight guitar riffs with bouncing drum beats and there's only two of them! They sound absolutely huge for just two guys! Lovely vocals echo throughout their tunes to so expect a sing along. The Sundowners are playing ARC after a recent support slot with a certain Mr Weller you know they're good! A realy sixties beat embodies their sound and you can feel their Merseyside roots coming through in their music. Sounding a bit like CAST and the La's The Sundowners are gaining momentum rapidly and are certainly a band you have to see live! So now there's even more reason to get to this tidy event! I for one am buzzing for it, now what to wear?...
The Pigeon Detectives
The Yorkshire Indie boys are set for another return to Teesside after their storming show at KU last December. They are the Headliners at KU and boy do they deserve it, after hitting the masses in 2007 the Pigeon Detectives have had a string of hits with, 'Take her Back' and 'Emergency' to name just a few. This band have been a firm favourite of mine since I got into music and have that defining British Indie guitar sound, that we all know and love. Be sure to check them out at KU on April 4th for what promises to be a loud one.
The Sherlocks
Having only played KU last month the Sheffield lads are no strangers to the legendary Teesside venue. With tunes such as 'You've Made a Mistake' and the critically acclaimed 'Live for the Moment' this lot are gaining a major following; they smashed KU last month and left everyone wanting more. With the Rev himself waiting in the wings that night, The Sherlocks are clearly set for big things; a band that remind me so much of the purveyors of the 'New Yorkshire Scene' circa 2005, it's lovely to hear that sweet melodic indie sound again. Be sure to get in on this come next month as I really can't see The Sherlocks playing venues of this size for much longer.
The Tea Street Band
 |
| Credit: John Johnson |
Neville Staple Band
Neville Staple, the real live wire of The Specials, who drove the band to success along with Terry Hall, Jerry Dammers and co! He's back playing some of The Specials classics along with some of his own original solo material. One of the real faces of 2Tone Neville defined and era with his pork pie hat in tow. It only seems fitting that he's subbing The Ordinary Boys on ARC stage who famously covered 'Little Bitch' on their debut album. I for one hope he plays the likes of 'Do Nothing' and 'Nite Club': those sorts of tunes really set a room alight! This slot is sure to bring out Teesside's skins and Mods: I'll be among them. Neville Staple like many musicians and artists of his era brought a bright light to a dark time in Britain's history, where a disturbed old lady had her way; though, the less said about her the better! Get down to see Neville and the band for what promises to be a lively set full of infectious SKA beats.
The Spitfires
Good mates of mine and a really fucking good band, The Spitfires are gracing ARC stage; having known the lads for a good while now I know how much they love playing up in the NE. With recent support slots with Paul Weller, the boys are carrying huge, aggressive momentum with them and will tear up the Arc, no doubt! Their latest single 'Stand Down' really hits home and speaks volumes about the world around us today. Billy's writing style is constantly developing and progressing and now there is no better time to catch The Spits. I've seen the lads grow into a phenomenal live force whom's audiences worship them for it. With an impressive back catalogue and good clothes you need to catch the lads, trust me: I know a good band when I hear one. The Ordinary Boys
A band I have loved for so long and now I'll finally be able be see them at Stockton Calling, headlining ARC stage; The Ordinary Boys have had a love affair with Mod since Preston first penned 'Week in Week out' and have been a major influence to me. Back after their brief hiatus in 2011, Preston along with the original line up are busy recording a new album with a more Punk-Pop sound than previous efforts. The set lists of recent gigs have boasted classics such as 'Week in Week out' and 'Talk, Talk, Talk' from the bands debut 'Over the Counter Culture'. That album for me is one of the best of the 2000's and has a great overall effect. New tune 'Awkward' will no doubt be in the set along with the well known 'Boys will be Boys' which many will want to here. Top band, top tunes, be there! Fatherson
Scottish Indie boys Fatherson are Indies latest real gem. People could argue they're not my sort of thing but I love them - plus those people know nothing! A real Indie/Rock 'n' Roll sound from these guys and believe me they're the first band I've heard of this sort that are really going places! Headlining the Storytellers stage they are a band in full momentum and not to be missed; I saw them at Twisterella Festival in Middlesbrough (another superb independent festival) back in October just months after they had played T in the Park to 10'000 people and they were great! They had the room singing along to the likes of 'I Like Not Knowing' and 'Mine for Me'. Taking the best from the likes of All the Young and The Strokes Fatherson are climbing up the Indie ladder! Get down to Tellers to see them!
Stockton Calling is promoted and organised by ARC, Tees Music Alliance and KU - with support from a range of venues that support live music in Stockton Town Centre.
