London rockers Keo & Scottish folk-punk outfit Brògeal to join Somebody’s Child in Stockton
The Gathering Sounds, the North East’s festival for the best in new music, today unveils the full line-up for its 2025 edition – and it’s the most ambitious yet. Taking place on Saturday 27th September 2025 across seven venues in Stockton-on-Tees, the day-long celebration of new and next-gen talent will feature over 50 acts, from local heroes to the hottest names on the UK and Irish scenes.
Joining already-announced headliner Somebody’s Child are London alternative rock outfit Keo and Scottish folk-punk fusion band Brògeal – two of the most talked-about new bands in the country.
Festival Director Jimmy Beck said: “With over 50 acts across 7 stages, this is our biggest ever lineup and we’re incredibly proud of the festival the team have put together. Keo are one of the hottest new acts in the country right now, we’re over the moon to have added them to the lineup.
“We’re confident this is one of the best festivals around for fans of new music! The lineup is full of North-East talent and some amazing acts from around the UK & Ireland.”
The rising stars to watch:
Keo – led by brothers Finn and Conor Keogh, and formed from roots stretching across the UK, Ireland, Portugal and the US – are riding high off the back of a standout set at BST Hyde Park, where they opened the Rainbow Stage for Kings of Leon and The Vaccines. Their single “Fly”, recorded live-to-tape with Brett Shaw (Foals, Florence + The Machine), showcases their potent blend of 90s grunge, shoegaze and modern alt-rock. With comparisons to Wunderhorse, Fontaines D.C., and Jeff Buckley, Keo are rapidly establishing themselves as one of the UK’s most exciting guitar bands.
Brògeal, the five-piece from Falkirk, fuse Celtic folk, punk, and indie-pop into a uniquely high-octane live show. With recent support slots for The Mary Wallopers, Paolo Nutini and The Lathums, they’ve earned airplay on BBC Radio 6 Music and a glowing Rolling Stone feature. Their debut album Tuesday Paper Club, out this October via PIAS, promises to be a landmark release, full of emotion, energy and cultural defiance.
Somebody’s Child, the Dublin indie powerhouse fronted by Cian Godfrey, leads this year’s bill. After winning acclaim from BBC Radio 1, 6 Music, and The Irish Times, and playing festivals from Reading & Leeds to SXSW, the band continues to grow into one of the most vital live acts in Europe.
A showcase of regional brilliance:
The 2025 line-up puts North East talent front and centre. South Shields’ genre-smashing Cortney Dixon brings her self-produced garage-punk pop to the stage, fresh from SXSW and a string of BBC-supported releases. Sunderland’s flamboyant Swindled make a TGS debut with their theatrical art-pop and shiny shoes, while fan-favourites The Redroom add a blast of local indie-rock fire.
Other must-see acts on the bill include The Covasettes, a Manchester indie outfit with over 12 million streams and a growing reputation for commanding major festival stages; Grandmas House, the fierce all-female post-punk powerhouse from Bristol bringing raw energy and grunge-infused grit; The Kairos, Liverpool’s Merseybeat revivalists with a modern punk edge; Precious Pepala, whose soaring, soulful alt-pop marks her out as a future chart contender; and Dylan Flynn & The Dead Poets, a Limerick-based five-piece blending the emotional weight of Springsteen with widescreen indie ambition and shimmering textures.
About The Gathering Sounds
Since launching in 2018, The Gathering Sounds has established itself as the ultimate discovery festival for music lovers in the North. With acts like Andrew Cushin, The Royston Club, and ZELA cutting their teeth here before national breakthroughs, TGS is a vital proving ground for the stars of tomorrow.
Taking place across seven walkable venues in Stockton town centre – now including new additions The Link and The Green Room curated by NAME college – this is an all-access pass to one unforgettable day of music, curated by national tastemakers like This Feeling, Under The Influence, and more to be announced.
Tickets are on sale now via Fatsoma at just £25 + booking fee, covering all venues from 1pm–11pm.
For full line-up details and tickets, visit: https://www.fatsoma.com/e/v2pymksj/the-gathering-sounds-2025