As you may know from my previous post, Adam and I were invited down to Stockton for the day-long music festival The Gathering Sounds on Saturday 24th September. The line-up this year was absolutely STACKED so we made sure to get ourselves down early to make the absolute most of the day. I reckon we did well considering we got to see 11 acts during our time there and covered all 5 venues!

With that in mind, let me tell you all about it.

First on our list after we’d picked up our wristbands were Teesside’s own Nice Guy who were playing at ARC. They were a great start to our day and I really loved their sentimental song ‘Last Orders At The Linthorpe’.

Next up we decided to walk a few steps along to The Storytellers. Coventry’s indie outfit Candid were about to take to the stage and we had no idea what to expect from them. That’s the best thing about festivals like The Gathering Sounds – you can go into the day almost blind to what you’re going to see or hear, and come out finding your new favourite band. That’s what happened here. The room was packed as the band played and I found myself in awe. I’ve had their tune ‘Wasted Time’ on repeat all week, it’s an absolute banger. If you’re a fan of Inhaler, you’re definitely going to want to check these lads out. I’m hoping it won’t be too long before I see them again, and I can guarantee we won’t be seeing them in rooms that small for very long! 

After their set we headed down to KU in time to grab a drink and catch a bit of singer/songwriter Dayna Leadbitter’s set, before heading over to The Georgian Theatre to catch Newcastle/Manchester based rapper Sweets. Another case of not knowing what to expect… I’ll be honest and tell you that rap music isn’t usually my genre of choice, but there was something about both Sweets’ voice and personality that drew me in. I was fully invested and loved his set, especially his latest song ‘Crack Baby’. 

After his set, we headed straight back to a jam-packed KU and found a spot ready for scouse rock n rollers The Kairos. We’d caught these lads earlier in the summer so we were really looking forward to seeing them again and KU was the perfect stage for them! My favourite thing was when singer Tom said to the crowd ‘if it weren’t abundantly fucking clear, we’re from Liverpool’. The crowd laughed as they went straight into another of their guitar-driven tunes. ‘Lazy Lethargic’ is one of my favourites of theirs, a proper earworm that you can’t stop singing once you’ve heard it. 

We checked the clashfinder and decided to head next door to The Social Room in time to catch Yorkshire five-piece, Priestgate. First and foremost I have to just point out that The Social Room might be the most STUNNING venue I’ve ever seen. It was a 70s inspired dream and I want to literally replicate its decor in my house. MIRRORBALLS EVERYWHERE!!! Not sure Adam will let me though…

Anyway, getting back to Priestgate and their alt-goth-80s-pop vibe. To be fair, you can’t actually put a label on the band as they’ve definitely created their own unique sound and honestly, it’s intriguing and incredible. Another case of finding a new favourite band – I was mesmerised by their performance! Slightly reminiscent, for me, of The Cure and also Walt Disco, and I love that. 

Over the next hour or so we caught The Lilacs back at The Storytellers, which was packed yet again, and Low Hummer back in The Social Room where we stayed ready for Liverpool band STONE. Adam had caught them back at Leeds Fest in August and said I’d be a fan…he was right. Another packed out venue with gig-goers understandably dancing and moshing to their brilliant single ‘Let’s Dance To The Real Thing’.

We left and headed downstairs back to KU ready to catch the artist I was most looking forward to seeing at the festival, local lad Tom A Smith. I’ve followed Tom for a good while now but haven’t seen him in a few years so I was glad to be changing that – at such a great venue as well! I hate bringing age into it, but it really is so hard to believe that Tom is only 18 years old. I’ve never seen anyone look so comfortable and confident on stage before, looking like he was having the time of his life blasting out his tremendously written indie hits. Tom’s not shy in getting the crowd going and had the whole of KU clapping and singing along with his set, especially to my personal fave song ‘Dragonfly’. He even threw a cheeky little cover of dance tune ‘Don’t You Worry Child’ by Swedish House Mafia into his set which was bloody mint! Tom is such a bright young talent who has worked incredibly hard to get where he is, so to see it paying off really puts a smile on your face. I can’t wait to see what’s next for him – after watching his set it’s clear to see that the possibilities are endless. 

We stuck around KU to see the final act of the day, Manchester band The Lottery Winners. We caught them at Bingley Weekender in August and I absolutely loved their set so couldn’t wait to see them again, especially in such an intimate venue. Not only do they boast a setlist full of catchy tunes, they’ve also got so much character that you can’t help but have a smile and a giggle when you’re watching them live. I literally want to become the 5th member/their best pal. I left with my throat hurting from singing along so loudly to ‘Start Again’, ‘Favourite Flavour’ and ‘Much Better’!

All in all we had an absolutely incredible day at The Gathering Sounds and I’m so thankful to have caught some truly exciting artists in such intimate venues because I guarantee the majority will be playing much bigger places the next time I see them!

* Full disclosure: I was gifted tickets to the festival in exchange for this honest review.