Now in its eighth year, fifty emerging acts journeyed to Stockton-on-Tees to be part of The Gathering Sounds‘ mighty bill.
Opening the day came the Bristolian four-piece, Pack of Animals. Filling the den-like KU Stockton at just one in the afternoon was no mean feat, but with bounds of confidence and talent, they made it look effortless. Just a stone’s throw away, amid the town’s bustling line of venues, Leeds-based up-and-comers Acetate took to The Link’s stage shortly after. Moody riffs and crowd banter over football rivalries characterised their set, with ‘Hope’ and the punchy ‘I Don’t Care’ delivering a charming introduction to the band.
Next up in the snug Georgian Theatre came Sunderland’s own Swindled, suited and booted like the greats of the ‘60s with a sound steeped in the early ‘90s. From their hit ‘The Hangover’ to ‘Withdrawal Symptoms’, their set was made all the more memorable by the presence of a BSL interpreter on stage – a small but meaningful gesture toward making live music more accessible. “It’s a Saturday in Stockton, what’s not to love?”, bellowed frontman Jonny, a line that became increasingly impossible to argue with as the day went on.
Next up, Glaswegian post-punk group Humour. Forged out of the 2021 lockdowns, the foursome took to the Georgian Theatre to capture and unleash the very angst of that era, dialling up the day’s energy as the streets of Stockton darkened outside. Playing cuts from their 2026 record, ‘Learning Greek’, standout moments included the infectiously unsettling ‘Neighbours’ and the positively energising ‘Memorial’.
However, it was at ARC, Stockton’s go-to modern arts centre, that saw some of the day’s most impressive sets, both in talent and reception. From George Bailey’s funk-infused, sax-laden tracks to Fletchr Fletchr’s gritty lyrics and high-octane stage presence, the venue felt like a true snapshot of the budding North-East music scene – a real testament to the passion, culture, and creativity there is to celebrate in the Teesside region.
As crowds piled in and temperatures rose, rising stars overpass quickly pulled a crowd no other set quite matched. Despite their debut being just a few months old, queues of eager fans swelled into a palpably energetic crowd, before the Birmingham band erupted into their euphoric, riff-heavy sound – one that more than justified the buzz from the crowd gathered before them.
As the night’s energy peaked, it was The Social Room a few doors down that provided some beautiful respite, firstly in the form of Esmerelda Road. Hailing from Belfast, the band told a tale of growing up in the city on their unreleased track ‘Stuck’, all while giving the newest fans amongst the crowd an electric taster of their abstract alt-jazz sound on ‘I Think’. Though, judging by the affinity held toward the frenetic lead singer, Charlie Magill, they seemed few and far between.
The same stage later welcomed TTSSFU. Opening to a modest but engaged crowd, soloist Tasmin’s chemistry with the wider band more than made up for the spacious dance floor. Trading inside jokes (“So, we’re Keo”) and lapping up each other’s company, their ethereal, stripped-back sound matched the captivating atmosphere of her forerunners.
Finishing the night where it all started came Basht. Headlining the KU Stockton, with only a string of EPs and singles under their belt, the Dublin-formed band pulled no punches from the very start. Raucous, sharp, and witty, vocalist Jack Leavey stirred up mosh pits and roaring chants during the anthemic ‘Keira Knightley’ and ‘Burn’ – a fitting primer for the afterparty, and proof the buzz around this lineup is only set to grow.
With many of the day’s acts already drawing crowds disproportionately large for their short time in the alt scene, anyone looking for their next favourite artist needs look no further than The Gathering Sounds’ mammoth lineup. And for anyone hunting their next favourite festival, Stockton’s annual bash should be firmly on the radar.
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