By Scott Hays
The Ship Isis, a Grade II-listed Victorian gem on Silksworth Row, provided the perfect backdrop for a night of raw, high-energy North East talent. Upstairs in the intimate Vaux Room, one of the most vital grassroots spaces in the city.
Opening the night was Misting, a band that feels like a rediscovered time capsule from the peak of 90s alternative rock. Their set was a lesson in dynamic tension, shifting effortlessly from quiet, atmospheric builds to explosive walls of sound. Imperfectly perfect and all the better for it. Lead singer India navigated a vast emotional landscape, transitioning from a haunting, melodic croon into a visceral, guttural growl.
They were followed by Sunderland’s own House Proud, a band rapidly becoming local legends. Fresh off the release of their Choices EP, they delivered a blistering set of heavy, dissonant post-punk. Their performance was a masterclass in controlled pandemonium; the jagged guitar rhythms and emotive, hard-hitting lyrics resonate powerfully in the tight space. House Proud has a knack for making a small room feel like a stadium. The boys are back and we really have missed them.
Headliner spacecadetbloom closed the evening. Celebrating the release of their 2026 single “playing cards,” the band showc
ased why they are at the forefront of the shoegaze revival. Their sound, a vibrant blend of intense melodies and earnest, soaring vocals. A thick wall of sound that is unnervingly addictive. There is something intrinsically quite special about this band.
This wasn’t just a gig; it was a testament to Sunderland’s thriving DIY scene. With the Ship Isis acting as the perfect host, the night felt like a milestone for three bands on the verge of much larger things.
