Venture west of Sunniside towards Pop Recs for a couple of cracking gigs over the winter period, featuring a tasty duo for indie slackers and post-punkers guaranteed to cure your S.A.D.
The venue, originally conceived of as a record shop to release Frankie and The Heartstrings’ second record, has proven a formidable duo with neighbour cafe Sonny’s in generating foot traffic in the West End. This will only be bolstered by the recent opening of the Bridge Hotel Vaults opposite Pop Recs, which is a joint venture between Dan Shannon of Sonny’s and the team behind Vaux Brewery.
House Proud, December 14
Fresh off the release of debut single ‘Rescue Dog’, and packing out the Independent stage of Waves festival, House Proud will be closing out a strong 2024 with their biggest headliner yet at Pop Recs.
The North East foursome have won acclaim for their raw and energetic live shows, dissonant riffs and skullet haircuts. Carrying that live band reputation, they released a live EP before any studio tracks were available, which they sold physically at gigs for pound coins or on occasion a loose tab.
If your thing is awkward stage craic and songs about XL Bullys, House Proud could be the thing you need to end 2024 feeling like it really was all worth it.
Martha, January 18
The pride of County Durham, Martha, return to their favourite Sunderland venue for a special show with Nervus and Tripsun on January 18, their first 2025 show in the SR, celebrating a warm reception to the release of studio album ‘Please Don’t Take Me Back’.
The slacker punks have been up and down the country playing to their cult fanbase, flogging their exclusive blue vinyl to those lucky enough to get their hands on the limited release. They return to Sunderland for a courageous late January show, something to look forward to as you brave it through the post-Christmas period.
After celebrating the ten-year anniversary of their first album in 2014, Martha have proven to be one of the North East’s most prolific and consistent truly indie bands.
