THE GATHERING SOUNDS CONFIRMS 2027 RETURN AFTER MORE THAN 1000 MUSIC FANS DESCEND ON TEESSIDE
The festival confirms it will return to Stockton town centre in 2027 following another successful day showcasing the best emerging talent from the North East and beyond.
Words: Press
On Saturday, more than 1,000 music fans descended on Stockton town centre for The Gathering Sounds 2026, as the festival celebrated another hugely successful day of live music, and confirmed it will return on Saturday 25th September 2027.
The one-day festival brought more than 50 artists to seven stages across Stockton on Saturday 26 September, with music fans moving between the town’s grassroots venues to discover some of the most exciting emerging talent from the North East, UK and Ireland.
Organisers have hailed this year’s event a major success, with packed venues throughout the day and audiences turning out in force to see artists including North East favourite Tom A. Smith, Birmingham indie risers overpass, Belfast’s Basht., Manchester shoegaze favourites TTSSFU and Shelf Lives.
The one-day festival brought more than 50 artists to seven stages across Stockton on Saturday 26 September, with music fans moving between the town’s grassroots venues to discover some of the most exciting emerging talent from the North East, UK and Ireland.
Organisers have hailed this year’s event a major success, with packed venues throughout the day and audiences turning out in force to see artists including North East favourite Tom A. Smith, Birmingham indie risers overpass, Belfast’s Basht., Manchester shoegaze favourites TTSSFU and Shelf Lives.
Tom A.Smith
The festival once again demonstrated the strength and diversity of Stockton’s grassroots music scene, with The Point at ARC, The Georgian Theatre, KU, ARC2, The Social Room, The Link and The Green Room all hosting performances throughout the 10-hour event.
Among the artists attracting attention throughout the day were Esmeralda Road and Little Grandad, two of the UK's most talked-about emerging acts, alongside Glasgow’s VLURE, who brought their distinctive collision of post-punk, industrial electronics and euphoric club music to Stockton.
There was also a major North East presence across the seven stages, with Marketplace, Charlie Floyd, Swindled, Daisy Brown, George Bailey and many more flying the flag for the region alongside Tom A. Smith.
The success of this year’s festival has cemented The Gathering Sounds’ reputation for giving audiences the opportunity to discover great new and emerging artists.
Among the artists attracting attention throughout the day were Esmeralda Road and Little Grandad, two of the UK's most talked-about emerging acts, alongside Glasgow’s VLURE, who brought their distinctive collision of post-punk, industrial electronics and euphoric club music to Stockton.
There was also a major North East presence across the seven stages, with Marketplace, Charlie Floyd, Swindled, Daisy Brown, George Bailey and many more flying the flag for the region alongside Tom A. Smith.
The success of this year’s festival has cemented The Gathering Sounds’ reputation for giving audiences the opportunity to discover great new and emerging artists.
fltchr flcthr - Photo: Gavin Wallace
Gathering Sounds Festival organiser, Jimmy Beck, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with how this year’s festival went. To have more than 1,000 people coming into Stockton and moving around the town to watch live music across seven stages is exactly what The Gathering Sounds is about.
“The response from the artists, venues and the audience was fantastic, and we’re incredibly proud of the atmosphere that was created throughout the day. There was a real sense that people were discovering new bands and enjoying the whole experience of moving around Stockton and seeing what each venue had to offer. Next year we will be back, bigger, better and louder!"
Since launching in 2018, The Gathering Sounds has built a reputation for spotting and championing emerging artists early, with previous editions featuring acts including KEO, The Royston Club, Sports Team, The K’s, Lottery Winners, ZUZU, Red Rum Club, Antony Szmierek, Fat Dog, CVC and STONE.
“The response from the artists, venues and the audience was fantastic, and we’re incredibly proud of the atmosphere that was created throughout the day. There was a real sense that people were discovering new bands and enjoying the whole experience of moving around Stockton and seeing what each venue had to offer. Next year we will be back, bigger, better and louder!"
Since launching in 2018, The Gathering Sounds has built a reputation for spotting and championing emerging artists early, with previous editions featuring acts including KEO, The Royston Club, Sports Team, The K’s, Lottery Winners, ZUZU, Red Rum Club, Antony Szmierek, Fat Dog, CVC and STONE.
Swindled - Photo: Gavin Wallace
A spokesperson from Stockton Council said: “Stockton town centre boasts a long tradition for putting on exceptional live music, from world-famous acts to the grassroots music scene, and that tradition continues to this day with thousands of people visiting so many of the town’s cultural venues.
“The Gathering Sounds festival celebrates new talent and showcases home-grown artists in Teesside. Stockton Town Centre being shortlisted to become the first UK Town of Culture in 2028 offers the chance to further remind the world what a fantastic culture of live music this town offers and will help to champion the artists of tomorrow.”
The festival's return in 2027 will once again bring together emerging artists, grassroots venues and music fans from across the North East and beyond, with further details to be announced.
Stay in the know: https://www.thegatheringsounds.co.uk/
“The Gathering Sounds festival celebrates new talent and showcases home-grown artists in Teesside. Stockton Town Centre being shortlisted to become the first UK Town of Culture in 2028 offers the chance to further remind the world what a fantastic culture of live music this town offers and will help to champion the artists of tomorrow.”
The festival's return in 2027 will once again bring together emerging artists, grassroots venues and music fans from across the North East and beyond, with further details to be announced.
Stay in the know: https://www.thegatheringsounds.co.uk/
