How Sunderland Favourite, ‘Independent’ are embracing Independent Venue Week with full force.
This week, the 25th- 31st of January 2021, is Independent venue week, the annual week that celebrates all that the much loved independent venues from every corner of the country have to offer, whilst giving a deserving nod of appreciation to all who work, run, perform and visit these local and valued hubs of the grassroot music industry .
To celebrate Independent week 2021, aptly named Sunderland venue, Independent, are putting on a series of shows starting tonight at 7PM, the 28th of January, running through till Sunday the 31st of January. Each show will take place on the Independent’s Facebook page at 7PM.
Whilst in previous years the Independent have focused their week on live performances, featuring impressive gigs from the likes of Pigsx7 and Pale White, this year they are placing local artists and familiar faces from the heart and soul of the North East music scene central to the spotlight of the week.
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Independent venue week is more important than ever, due to many of the places the week celebrates having faced a multitude of difficulties along with the artists that have repeatedly filled their stages with love and support. This is why Independent’s localised approach that’s shining a light on the familiar faces that keep venues such as itself going, is more than ever significant and worthy of support.
Tonight, Thursday the 28th of January, the schedule of shows begins with a performance from Patrick Gosling, an artist Northern Noise has previously interviewed in light of his 2020 single release, ‘Peachy’. Gosling is a familiar face to the Independent, performing many a shows with his previous band Far Pacific, and now embarking on his solo career that has been highlighted with an array of successful single releases. His performance tonight is set to feature his debut single ‘Always Ready’ alongside an exclusive rendition of an unreleased track. For the lovers of up-beat and heartfelt Indie, tonight’s gig is the one for you!
Friday’s Gig will see a performance from the youthful, up and coming singer-song-writer Lottie Willis. Willis has been accumulating recognition over the past 18 months amongst the Sunderland Scene, playing a few prior gigs at Independent and now gaining attention from the wider North East scene, featuring on the likes BBC Introducing North East. Willis will be performing a mixture of released and unreleased tracks. This talented vocalist and pianist offers a stripped and soulful experience, and will offer a much needed moment of relaxation for those of stuck indoors itching to get back to live music normality.
Capturing the true Saturday night spirit, Saturday’s Gig features the Up-beat, pop and R&B duo, Badmind. This duo are growing in popularity and recognition by the day, coming as one of BBC Introducing NE’s tips for 2021 and accumulating a mass of over 200,000 streams on Spotify alone. Badmind will be performing their much loved track, ‘Heartless’ as well as their effortlessly catchy new release ‘100 Roses’. For those of who would normally be spending 7PM on Saturday preparing for the night out ahead, Independents Facebook page will be the new place to be. Grab a drink, have a dance, and we can all pretend its 2019.
Concluding this weekend of stellar performances from the Independent comes Sunderland punk-rockers, ‘Dead Wet Things’. This group of local lads filled to the brim with gritty attitude are sure to bring an interesting performance of fast pace and cascading relentless energy. Set to be performing unreleased tracks such as ‘Dear Chloe Ferry’ (Which I can only imagine to be nothing but a hoot) and ‘Man Time’, Sunday evening will be fitting conclusion to a series of gigs you will not want to miss.
All the performances will be filmed and edited by Motorhouse Studios, with lighting by Wright Lights.
By Josephine Canham.
Northern Noise 
We all need to support the live music scene however we can. This is a great intiative from the progressive venue. Good support and publicity from Northern Noise.
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