The annual A Stone’s Throw Festival in North Shields on the second May Bank Holiday weekend has now firmly established itself as the place to discover the best emerging local music talent from the North East. This year it was Idle Hands, Central Arcade and Charlie Floyd who were leading the charge. There were also some top bands from beyond the region, including the mighty Croíthe from Dublin. It is a real community spirited event with bands and their entourages really supporting each other. And, as the name suggests, it offers the exciting opportunity to wander between venues with ease… in most cases. It was also rather nice to enjoy the mix of sun and coastal breeze.
From the six bands that I chose to see at the festival, four were firm favourites and two were exciting new discoveries based on recommendations by mates on the local scene.
FORMAL SPPEEDWEAR
I started off the festival experience at Salt Market Social with the epic Formal Speedwear. This Stoke on Trent three piece were recommended by local band Alation’s bass extraordinaire Matty Kirkley who accurately described them as being a bit like Talking Heads. Their vocalist certainly had a David Byrne style delivery to the tracks. I would add Roxy Music and Orange Juice into the mix in terms of the musicality. The tracks featured incredibly funky bass slams and tasty pulsating rhythms.
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CHARLIE FLOYD
Brilliant teatime set from the awesome Charlie Floyd and his band at Exchange Theatre. Charlie’s music is absolutely perfect for a festival crowd. He’s a brilliant vocalist and each tune was delivered with that infectiously catchy sound; tremendous guitar hooks and high class rhythm section. 2000 has a riff akin to Bowie’s The Jean Genie which always gets the crowds going. Pinch Me has a glorious guitar lead part which Jude as ever delivered impeccably… his first of two sets on Saturday! And Three has a Beatles at Abbey Road vibe. Cool rhythm section from Luc (drums) and Thomas (bass).
But the highlight of the set undoubtedly was the entrance of the legendary Happy Mondays vocalist, Rowetta; the Queen Of Manchester. Her sheer presence radiated across the venue. Her soulful voice wrapped around Charlie’s track, Stay, in a nice harmony. And then she performed with sheer class on his psychedelic inspired number, Get Up.
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CENTRAL ARCADE
Only just scraped in to the beginning of Central Arcade’s teatime set at Three Tanners Bank having legged it from Charlie Floyd’s set piece at Exchange Theatre… the biggest challenge of A Stone’s Throw scheduling. And I was lucky. A few people were turned away when they reached capacity; the boys have really gained momentum in recent months with their epic debut EP, No Place To Be. Having championed them for a while, I’m thrilled!
Leading the charge with killer track Banshee which heads up that EP, the lads really got the crowds going. Frontman Conall was magnificent as ever. Brilliant vocal. His storytelling and political message really delve deeply into his Irish heritage which gives the band real character and grit. Other big tracks like Liar In The Heart featuring Mooney’s Fontaines infused guitar work, and the epic Hero were to follow.
Good to see Conall digging out the acoustic guitar for recent track, Solace, which calmed the intensity of things. But then it was full pelt again with their best track, Cain… the rhythm section particularly shines on this one. Love Carly’s full throttle bass line and Ben’s powerful drumming patterns.
It was great to catch up with these guys at several points in the day as they supported pals from Croithe and Idle Hands later on. They will be back at the Cluny for a support slot for CQ Wrestling on 10 June!
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SPACE CADET BLOOM
There was a bit of a breather after Central Arcade’s massively impressive set. Time to soak up the delights of the takeaway offerings down the fish quay with Idle Hands and co. The next band back at Salt Market Social, Space Cadet Bloom, were their recommendation. They were tucked on the smaller stage, but mustered a decent crowd. Their alternative rock sound with heavy powerful guitars was class and really well received. Their female vocalist especially was impressive. A top tip for future local gigs.
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CROÍTHE
Croíthe (pronounced Kree Ha) are one of the most exciting Irish bands on the scene right now. They came across especially to the North East from Dublin to play a special half an hour set for this festival… and they packed out the tiniest venue; the Engine Room!
I’ve seen these guys a good few times now in different cities, including in Rotterdam (Left Of The Dial)… such was their popularity that the venue was one in, one out. They are a band that are truly captivating to watch. There’s no gimmick, barely any chat between tracks. Instead they play as a four piece with an incredible intensity which can really provoke a highly charged emotional response.
Frontman Caodan is absolutely tremendous. He looks a bit like a younger version of Grian Chatten from fellow Irish band Fontaines DC. Though I’d say the musical style of Croíthe is darker; more visceral and menacing. The explosive guitar reverb, killer bass and pounding drums are more like The Murder Capital. Even early U2 and Joy Division. Post-punk, shoegazy; pretty gritty stuff. Top tracks in the set included Feed My Head and The Kiss.
Really hoping that Croíthe will make a return to Tyneside soon. Preferably in a slightly larger venue where their raw, heavy sound can really be unleashed. They are good pals with local lads, Central Arcade, who were all in attendance. So that would be an obvious double bill.
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IDLE HANDS
Young Geordie faves, Idle Hands, absolutely smashed it up with their headline set at Three Tanners Bank. This was one of the final slots for the entire A Stones Throw Festival which drew a near capacity crowd to the venue.
The main set opened as is now customary with Idle Hands supercharged noisy as hellfire track, Bullets. Joe’s vocal really captured the intensity of the political message on global humanitarian concerns. Evan absolutely pulverised the drum skins with his fireball energy. Jude really nailed the vibrant guitar attack, while Harrison chopped through with thunderous bass. A wild start which meshed into the epic instrumental Stompa (and not for the last time).
The Idle Hands setlist was certainly heavily focused on the newer tracks giving the crowds what we love from these boys. Killer, piercingly heavy alternative rock riffs with a heartfelt shoegaze undertone. Knowing these guys well, I was lucky enough to sit in on soundcheck to enjoy a preview of killer new track Firefighter which certainly fits that bill. It went down an absolute storm. The incredible Overtime, with its building intensity also fitted that heavier intense sound and was a sensational final track of the main set.
As the half hour set came to an end, the crowd were going absolutely wild for these boys. There was some awesome moshing picking up. As they left the stage, there were loud cheers of “one more song”. The lads quickly obliged in ferocious style giving us the most incredible reprise of Stompa. Evan giving it full Keith Moon energy and enthusiasm on the drum kit. Jude absolutely powering out the wall of guitar sound. Both Joe and Harrison got stuck into the crowds with Harrison ending up sprawled on the floor end of set.
Idle Hands are truly a special band. They have a clear passion for performing and are such a tight unit. They all bring their pretty diverse influences to the tracks which enables them to fizz with creativity on stage. They will be at their favourite haunt, The Grove, supporting the brilliant Labyrinthine Oceans on 31st May. And then supporting Geordie heroes, The Pale White, at Anarchy Brew on 13th June!
Overall a hugely impressive event proving that the Geordie music scene is really alive and bursting with amazing bands. Thanks especially to the awesome Ant Thompson and his team for organising this event. Can’t wait for next year!
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