May’s bank holiday signifies the unofficial start of the festival season in the UK. While events like Radio 1’s Big Weekend and Neighbourhood Weekender grab the headlines, something uniquely special is developing in Tyneside.
Now in its third year, A Stone’s Throw fills North Shields with life, converting bars, markets, and social clubs into temporary venues united by a common goal: to support emerging talent. Although there are a few significant acts on the lineup, the essence of the day is centered on discovery—finding a new favorite artist in a transformed space, pint in hand, with the rain just having cleared from your coat. And from the very first chord played, there’s much to uncover.
Salt Market Social is already buzzing as Pit Pony launch the day with a set that is raw and charged with energy. Their energetic punk-infused rock hits hard, with Jackie Purver’s gritty vocals cutting through the industrial reverb. The North Shields band performs on home turf, and it clearly shows. Shortly after, across the vibrant food court, Robyn McLeod navigates through the chatter with elegance and sharp humor. With an acoustic guitar and a pink disco-ball vibe, her lo-fi indie sounds pack unexpected punch. “This one’s about rich people pretending they’re not,” she smiles early in her set before transitioning into the anti-crypto tune ‘God Is A Man’. A compelling newcomer with a message, she delivers it so convincingly that it captivates your attention; “I currently flip burgers for a living so if you could make me famous, I’d appreciate it,” she quips. Her soft humor amidst challenging times seems to embody the spirit of her creativity.
In the underground setting of ‘The Engine Room’, Norfolk’s Nadia Kadek makes her North East debut to a crowd enjoying early drinks and lively chatter—but as soon as she starts, silence envelops the room. Her presence is quietly powerful, equipped only with a microphone, an acoustic guitar, and a collection of unreleased songs. Among these, ‘Fathers’ stands out: a heartfelt internal dialogue contemplating how her life may have changed if her Indonesian heritage had been more influential. It's a personal and moving piece that resonates long after it’s over. While her project has been developing quietly, her debut single ‘Feeling It All’, released this week, marks a significant milestone.
Newcastle's indie-rock band, Porcelain, then takes the same stage, bringing an uplifting energy with their full-band sound. Their tracks, such as ‘Escape Route,’ possess a mellow vibe that distinguishes them from peers like Corella, Overpass, or Royston Club, despite sharing the potential for anthem status. Still at the early stages of their career and presenting a concise yet impactful set, they radiate promise in an intimate setting.
Cherry Blur injects a vibrant jazz-soul-pop mix into ‘Salt Market’—or as they describe it, “the best white noise of the day.” With cool, intricate guitar riffs, bold saxophone, and an undeniably self-assured frontwoman, they breathe new life into their recorded songs. ‘Cool About It’ already stands as a catchy track, but on stage, it evolves into a full-blown groove. As the unreleased ‘Patience’ begins, the crowd becomes more engaged, drinks set down, and bodies start to sway. The band is clearly enjoying themselves, making it nearly impossible not to smile along.
There’s been much said about Balancing Act—the buzzworthy group has already earned significant recognition with a debut EP, a sold-out tour, and energetic festival appearances. The energy persists, albeit slightly altered as the now five-piece band adds a keyboardist, introducing a new dimension to their familiar favorites while the core trio maintains their strong performance. Frontman Kai Roberts is a captivating performer, animated even during the simplest moments, but the band offers far more than just striking looks. Their indie-pop ventures into darker themes with new material, and their recent single ‘Scar’ indicates a new direction, becoming the set's highlight as bassist David's falsetto beautifully complements Kai’s verses. ‘She Plays The Theremin’ remains a crowd favorite, demonstrating that their highly regarded beginnings are still thriving.
In a larger venue, Katy J Pearson takes the stage at the dramatic setting of The Exchange 1856. Despite a rocky start, she enchants from the outset. Having released three albums, she’s not a newcomer but remains as relevant and appealing as ever, blending folk and country influences with indie rock sensibilities. Her beautiful melodies and rich full-band arrangements feel immediately nostalgic while remaining fresh, creating a natural rhythm that invites the audience to sway along.
Then comes the chaos. At King Street Social Club, Deadletter burst onto the scene led by the irreplaceable Zac Lawrence, whose preacher-like charisma seizes the room. Their debut
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May's bank holiday signifies the unofficial beginning of festival season in the UK – and although the spotlight may be on events such as Radio 1's Big