Middlesbrough’s Finn Forster has had one of those years where the steps up have started coming thick and fast.
Big support slots, named on festival lineups this summer, sold-out headline dates, national radio attention — and through it all, the thing that still seems to cut through is the voice and the honesty behind the songs.
His Newcastle date at The Grove on 20 May sat right in the middle of that run, bringing his biggest UK headline tour yet back to the North East during a week where his profile was already growing quickly around him.
Pat Hamilton supporter Forster, playing his first gig in Newcastle, he showed confidence on the stage and an eclectic mixed style of songwriting. For every new person that had walked in between songs he was sure to let people know who he was. A set that was enjoyable and playing to a busy venue, people were lined up to gain their space. Already gaining a following i see on Spotify and around Scotland this may have been the first time in Newcastle but won’t be the last.
The last time I saw Finn Forster he played the VIP area at the Utilita Arena Newcastle in aid of powering up local artists. Shortly before he was on tour with the Sterophonics where fellow writer Michael Dunwell saw him and said his ‘songwriting already has that stadium quality to it, big choruses, heartfelt lyrics, and melodies that feel built to echo around a venue as big as the Utilita Arena’.
A short break and now a packed out venue Finn Forster entered onto the stage with his band. He carries a charisma and confidence that lends well. He may not be at the on the main stage at the Arena but a venue like The Grove makes it more personal and intimate, close up. Talking throughout about what was behind the songs and remembering the times he used to play Irish bars in town.
Forster covered a range of songs across his EPs, with songs old and new. Raw and emotional to energetic room pleasers all with the consistency of his powerful vocals. Previous single ‘Pablo’ was a highlight for me as well as ‘Circles’ and ‘On My Mind’ which the crowd appeared to love. There were also unreleased songs such as ‘Montreal’ which some appeared to know already. New single ‘Strangers’ also got a run out to a great reception.
The room was full, all eyes focused and looking forward to Finn Forster. People mouthing and singing back the words. Forster doesn’t have huge stage movement yet manages to draw you in and have a presence. The band are a wonderful accompaniment. This is easy listening rock. Great vocals, guitar riffs, drums and keyboard.
Just days after that Newcastle show, Finn released Strangers, a bruised new single about that horrible emotional full circle of a relationship. Two people go from not knowing each other, to meaning everything, and then somehow end up back at a distance again.
The track had its first play on BBC Radio 1 on the very same Wednesday night of the gig, with Finn joining Jack Saunders and Sian Eleri live on air for their Road to R1BW show. For an artist from Middlesbrough now moving onto bigger stages, it feels like another proper marker.
For Finn, it arrives at a big moment. His largest UK headline tour is already underway, with further festival dates lined up at this weekends BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, TRNSMT, Boardmasters and the Isle of Wight, before he heads out with Des Rocs across the UK and Europe later this year.