At Twisterella, a single headliner just won't do. The longstanding Middlesbrough metropolitan festival features a major act at both the beginning and end of the day, ensuring that the event kicks off and concludes on a high note. It's a clever concept, though it places the responsibility on the opening acts to generate a lot of energy right after lunch on an autumn Saturday...
This year, the honor of opening fell to Swim School. Taking the stage at 1:30 PM on the festival’s primary hub, the Teesside University Hub, the band initially faced a nearly empty room (as the doors had just opened). However, that changed quickly. With pints in hand, a crowd soon rushed in, drawn in by the band’s grungy yet lively, guitar-driven sound as the powerful track ‘Heaven’ transitioned into the unreleased ‘Green Eyes (Want It All)’. Their new single ‘On & On’ anchored the performance and sounded extraordinary, with the prominent jangly riff cutting through an impressive wall of sound, enhanced by Alice Johnson’s strong and ethereal vocals. Towards the end, ‘Bored’ stood out as a memorable highlight, but they concluded their set with the dynamic deep cut ‘See Red’ – a bold choice for a band on the verge of greater recognition with their debut album on the horizon.
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The building's lower level hosted two stages. In the Lounge, Parissa Zarifi wrapped up her enchanting alt-folk performance with a winding violin solo before Nature Kids began their earnest act on the Terrace stage. The five-piece band from Leeds melds art-school and slacker rock, combining skilled songwriting with vibrant guitars and other unconventional sound elements: quirky keyboard tones elevated their performance in several songs, and no one could object to the presence of a bowed saw.
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The crystal-voiced Jodie Nicholson is a regular at Twisterella; this year, between her stage management responsibilities, she performed alongside Joe Ramsey as a duo called Before Close – their first public appearance in this formation. Their sparse, deliberate songs were rich in close harmonies and mirrored the light and geography of northeast England, particularly in ‘Thank God’, which Jodie noted had been recorded in an off-grid studio in Alnmouth without access to mains power.
Back on the main stage, another debut: Champ, a modest four-piece with a strong collection of melodic tunes and a beautifully cohesive sound. Their latest track, ‘Future’, allowed the band’s engaged bassist to shine, underpinned by steady rhythms and soaring, sincere vocals. This band has every reason to be optimistic about their future.
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The next act was a highlight of the day; a surge of dark energy; immense, powerful, and immersive. Electronic and industrial-tinged punk band Teethin, led by the enigmatic James Minas, exuded an electrifying, fervent energy from the very first notes of ‘LARA SCOFFED’, as he darted across the entire stage. ‘THROWIN SHAPES’ served as a significant centerpiece of the set, featuring stand-in bassist Rachel Wood’s fingers moving with graceful simplicity amidst the intense, pulsating notes that define the band’s remarkable sound, accompanied by spot-on live beats from Greg Davies on drums. Producer Donald Phythian worked his magic behind laptops, while synth and guitar contributions from Emily Kocan enriched the sound, creating a loud and dynamic sonic blend that reflects the band’s roots from post-industrial Wales, influenced by Greece, Ukraine, and the Philippines.
Meanwhile downstairs, Roller Disco Death Party had managed to arrive on time from Glasgow, despite dealing with the inconvenience of a car fire. They kept the energy high with continuous futuristic sounds and pounding beats that filled the room. Tracks like ‘Keep The Balance’ seamlessly morphed into a ceaseless club night atmosphere, reminiscent of a revived Chemical Brothers for the new century, enhanced by live drumming.
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On the Hub stage, local talent Loren Heat made a confident comeback. Compared to her fringe performance last year, she appeared more comfortable in the large space, her strong vocals complementing her indomitable alt-pop style. Just a short walk away, Our Man In The Field performed, dressed in all-white denim, in the atmospheric Town Hall Crypt. He presents evocative, relatable storytelling through his music, featuring a solid blend of roots and blues. His stories, often tinged with humor, reflect and counterbalance the craziness of life, including tales of a neighboring couple's breakup overheard through thin walls (cleverly gleaned for songwriting fodder), a rogue agent who owes him £10k, and an eccentric bar acquaintance who has been sober for 50 years. Enhanced by rich cello notes from Maddy Cundall and stunning lead guitar work from Matt Owens, this set was outstanding, filled with warm, relatable moments.
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At Twisterella, having just one headliner isn't sufficient. The established Middlesbrough metropolitan festival features one headliner at the start and another at the end of the day, guaranteeing that the event