Waves is Sunderland’s biggest annual local music festival, and since its debut year in 2021 has grown beyond ambition to become a huge day to mark in your calendar.
This year the event was headlined by indie rocker Miles Kane, famous for his band The Rascals as well as his Last Shadow Puppets project with Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner. Miles headed up the Fire Station stage, supported by Sunderland’s Tom A. Smith and punk favourites Dead Wet Things.
They were joined by Liverpool sensation Red Rum Club, who’ve had a bumper 2024 that includes selling out the 10,000-capacity M&S Arena in their home town on Merseyside. As well as Teesside’s angry punk duo Benefits, who recently released a single with Pete Doherty.
The festival, which covered 8 venues across the city centre this year, continues to grow as the stages expand and the headline acts become more prestigious. With 44 bands covering the full lineup the tickets provide good value considering the calibre of local and travelling acts grafting in Sunderland on November 16th.
The 2024 edition of the festival had a lot to live up to, with 2023 delivering feats such as Lambrini Girls forcing the entire Peacock to sit on the ground, Twister deafening attendees at Independent, and Trunky Juno proposing to his lass. Fortunately this year we broke new ground–a secret set from Tom A. Smith, a fireworks display from Dead Stilettos, and of course, Town End Farm’s Mickey Callisto taking us to Homospace.
“Dead Stilettos, Celadore, and Dead Wet Things were my top three of the day. Another fantastic Waves showcasing the best the North East has to offer.”
- Kelly Dent, Editor at Gan On
“Well done to everyone involved in gettin’ this event on and it’s a SUNLUN festival we all should be proud of!”
- Iain Murray from Slalom D
“Fast Blood were the performance of Waves festival in my opinion.”
- Scott Hays from Black Rain
