By Scott Hays
The third iteration of Marrafest, held in the subterranean sweatbox of The Museum Vaults, packed to capacity and then some; a visceral dose of North East DIY punk.
Kicking off the night were Newcastle’s Tin Ribs, a punk rock outfit known for their sardonic wit and breathless, hook-filled tracks. Frontman Jason Jones is a natural agitator and a live wire, and true to form, he didn’t stay on the stage for long, diving into the throng to deliver their tales of ‘Disaster Capitalism’ and vigilante pest controllers. Their set was tight and rumbustious, serving as the perfect icebreaker, blending sharp social commentary with an absurd, uniquely Northern humour.
Next up, Tyne and Wear’s punk icons Irked grabbed the evening by the throat. Their sound is confrontational, politically-charged, and fiercely anti-establishment. Vocalist Helen Walkinshaw commanded the stage with raw intensity, delivering lyrics that cut through the noise, exploring intersectional themes with urgency. Drawing from the hardcore and noise-rock end of the punk spectrum, Irked delivered a cathartic wall of noise, satisfying the craving for something urgent and snarling.
Sunderland’s Slalom D took the momentum built from their performance at rebellion festival and channelled it into a powerful, socially conscious statement. With their strong roots in the DIY scene and a commitment to community welfare, their performance felt like a call to action.
Fiona Duncan’s captivating vocals led the charge over a dynamic post-punk sound, blending innovative melodies with raw power. Tracks like the heartfelt ‘Harbour Walls’ resonated deeply, affirming their position as a band that effortlessly balances melodic grit with working-class solidarity. This is a band who have reinvented their selves in recent times with the addition of a new guitarist and keyboard player. A shot of adrenaline to the brain.
Closing the festival were Hartlepool’s garage-rock juggernauts, Onlooker. Having earned praise from the likes of Steve Lamacq, the Teesside rockers lived up to their hype. Their sound is a straight-up, heavy slab of garage rock, underpinned by a big sound and even bigger heart. Kicking off with a squall of feedback, their set was a potent display of their raw, gritty tone. The energy was infectious, culminating the night’s proceedings in a frenetic climax that perfectly captured the spirit of the northern grind and the resilience of the local DIY scene. Probably the best band in the North East right now.
Marrafest 3 was a resounding success, a testament to the diverse and electrifying state of punk in the North East.
