A popular North East music festival is coming to the region this weekend - here's a guide for all you need to know.

The Gathering Sounds festival will be taking place across six venues in Stockton and will begin at 2pm on Saturday (September 30).

This marks the fifth time the event has been held as it plans to bring its biggest and best line-up of 'emerging music' to the region.

The main stage will be the ARC at Stockton Arts Centre on Dovecot Street, while the venue's smaller ARC 2 stage will host celebrated live music promoter Under The Influence.

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Darlington and Stockton Times: The Skinner Brothers.

Festival organiser Jimmy Beck says there is “something for everyone” at this year’s event. 

Zuzu and Zela are Beck’s top picks for pop fans, while the organiser highlighted Fat Dog for fans of heavier music.

“They make a lot of noise and their debut single received a big reception,” Beck added.

“Or, The Skinner Brothers at KU is guaranteed to be a mental end to the festival if their last gig is anything to go by.”

“If indie-rock is more your thing there's The Clause or Bedroom High Club. Ruby J and The Molotovs are something totally different, like a callback to past eras of music.”

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Darlington and Stockton Times: Andrew Cushin.

Some of the event’s biggest names will be performing at Stockton's favourite independent venue, KU, while its sister venue, The Social Room, will also play host to up-and-coming musical talent.

The KU will be headlined by The Skinner Brothers, joined by The Clause, Fat Dog, Casino, The Molotovs, House of Wolves, Dawks & Northern Hospitality.

Headlining The Social Room will be Zuzu, Liverpool’s latest sci-fi-obsessed export who organisers say embodies the "21st-century popstar."

They will be joined Mexican Dogs, Rolla, The Utopiates, The Redroom, High Tide, Northern Hospitality, and Waves of Dread.

Major UK promoter and festival programming partner, This Feeling, will be taking over The Storytellers, also located on Dovecot Street.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

The final venue will be the Georgian Theatre providing a historic backdrop for all of its performances.

There will also be local talent playing big slots like Finn Forster, headliners Komparrison and of course, ARC headliner, Andrew Cushin.

Each venue will see up to eight acts take to the stage, finishing off with KU headliners The Skinner Brothers.

For those travelling by public transport, buses going straight into the town centre from across the North East will be available on the day.

Darlington and Stockton Times:

For those making the journey from further afar, Stockton and Thornaby train stations are both walking distance from the town centre.

For those driving, there is parking across the road from and behind KU as well as limited street parking around the venues.

There are bars at every venue. For food, ticket holders can head to Storytellers, ARC and Georgian Theatre who will offer food throughout the event.

Aside from the event’s venues, Beck’s local recommendation is Shawarma City which offers the “best kebabs around.”

Darlington and Stockton Times: Komparrison.

 

Darlington and Stockton Times: Full line up by stage.

All venues are accessible with a wheelchair apart from The Social Room which can only be accessed by stairs due to the age of the building.

Tickets for the full day are priced at £22.50 including booking fee.

For more information and to buy tickets, click here.