Evolution showcase for North East best

Gary Beckwith, Evening Chronicle

BACKING up this year’s Evolution festival line-up, a massive roster of bands from the region put in some stellar performances.

The local element kicked off proper on Friday night with the NARC. and Generator present: Evolution Unsigned event.

Featuring 24 of the best bands from the region across six venues in the Ouseburn Valley, there was truly something for everyone.

Entry to all the venues was free and the night was full of highlights as I managed to flit between venues and take in the likes of Pioneers of Mediocrity at the Tanners and Ever Since the Lake Caught Fire and Razmataz Lorry Excitement who rocked Retreat @ St Dominics.

At The Art Works Galleries local luminaries Jeans goes POP! and Richard Dawson impressed as ever with their brands of psychedelic pop and mesmerising folk and blues, respectively. The special guest headline act The Week That Was made for a brilliant ending to the night and set up the weekend’s festivities in style.

At the actual festival itself acts from the region played to the sun-kissed crowds on the Sunday and Monday.

The Little Comets played a blinding set on the main stage at Spiller’s Wharf on Monday, while at the unsigned tent acts such as Black Sun, Small Screen Light Show, Illustrators, Bubble Project and Sour Pretty touted their wares across the two days.

Again there were plenty of highlights with Newcastle pop outfit Styles Makes Fights and local folk talent Trev Gibb standing out and playing accomplished sets.