Industry news & advice blog

As festival season starts its engines, with ticket sales for some of the UK’s biggest events already sold out, we take a look at the North East’s most important event of the year for emerging music. We are blessed in the North East with a number of festivals on the Summer calendar to provide the stage for our best local bands and artists to reach the lads and lasses of the region looking for their fill of sun-laden soundtracks.

Evolution Emerging takes place at Newcastle’s heart and soul of music in Ouseburn Valley. With 24 emerging artists and 3 guest headliners across 6 venues, as well as DJ sets and an official after-party to see in the morning, Evo Emerging is the perfect start to the Evolution weekender. That’s right, the festival takes place on Friday 27th May, the night before the big names drop into town to sample the electric atmosphere on Newcastle’s quayside at Evolution Festival itself. There is a strong link between the two festivals as the likes of Little Comets, Detroit Social Club and this year The Lake Poets and Vinyl Jacket have graduated to be part of the line-up at the Baltic and Quayside venues.

The selection process for the event has been a long one with the festival holding such prestige for emerging talent. In January 2011, Generator called out for regional bands and solo artists (from any genre) to apply to play Evolution Emerging. A panel of regional music figures were brought together to select the best of those entrants to join the bill. I was one of those invited along as a representative of The Unsigned Guide, and the strength and depth of talent of those who entered was fantastic. With over 300 tracks submitted this year, the line-up reflects the vast array of emerging talent from all styles of music across the North East.

‘We’re really happy and proud of the line-up for the region’s biggest event for emerging music.  Many of last year’s bands have gone on to achieve national recognition and this year’s event is the strongest yet – with a great mix of emerging and young artists and 3 of the region’s best bands headlining!’
Joe Frankland, Generator

Doors will be opening around 7pm, and with access to every venue free, how could you resist! This really is the night of all nights for all bands from the region involved, and if you love your music, local or other-wise, this is one of the biggest nights of the year and the perfect way to start the Evolution Weekender in style.

So without further ado, here is this year’s line-up…..it’s a corker!

For more information go to www.generator.org.uk/evolutionemerging2011