“A vital showcase for new music”
Clash
“Trailblazing line-ups of emerging new music”
Gigwise
Launched in 2014, Twisterella is Middlesbrough’s award-winning multi-venue metropolitan music festival.
Centred around Teesside University campus heart, Twisterella utilises venues on Linthorpe Road & Southfield Road, along with pop-up sessions in some of the town’s coolest bars in nearby Baker Street and Bedford Street.
In 2019, Twisterella won an AIF Independent Festival Award for its ‘forward thinking bookings‘, reflecting the event’s track record in showcasing the brightest emerging national and international talent, as well as giving a platform to a select number of local and regional acts who are ready to make the step up to the big stage.
In addition to the Independent Festival Award, Twisterella co-promoters Pay For The Piano and The Kids Are Solid Gold are regular nominees in the ‘Indie Promoter Of The Year (Local Impact)‘ category in Live UK’s annual Live Music Business Awards.
Furthermore, TKASG’s Andy Carr was nominated for the prestigious Indie Champion Award in the AIM Awards 2017 and PFTP’s Henry Carden won a BBC Introducing Local Hero Award at the AIM Awards in 2022.
Acts who’ve previously played at Twisterella include: Sam Fender // Dream Wife // The Snuts // Vistas // The Mysterines // Pip Blom // Dutch Uncles // Prima Queen // Panic Shack // PINS // Black Honey // Benefits // Fatherson // Fickle Friends // Red Rum Club // The Royston Club // The Howl & The Hum // Jordan Mackampa // Lauran Hibberd // Spring King // Dream Nails // Frankie & The Heartstrings // Du Blonde // Clean Cut Kid // Low Island // Boy Azooga // Little Quirks // Opus Kink // Avalanche Party // Shelf Lives // Ciel // Melin Melyn // Swim School // Sick Joy // Bull // HYYTS // Cherym // Far Caspian // Pom Poko // Peaness // EUT // Mush // Neon Waltz // Dylan Cartlidge // Saint Agnes // The Pearl Harts // Bryde // The Blinders // Desperate Journalist // Cattle & Cane // Eliza and the Bear // Jake Isaac // Brontide // Menace Beach and many more, to name but a few.
Away from the festival, the Twisterella booking team have also been responsible for bringing the likes of Alt-J, Catfish & The Bottlemen, Daughter, Ezra Furman, Fanfarlo, First Aid Kit, Frank Turner, Mumford & Sons, The 1975, The Amazons, The Twilight Sad, The Vaccines, Wolf Alice and many more to Teesside.
In addition to the live acts, Twisterella features an (Un)Conference with the focus on bringing key music industry figures to the town to share their expertise and offer advice to new and developing Teesside musicians.
We’re proud to be part of the Keychange movement. Find out more at: www.keychange.eu
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SUPPORTERS
PRESS:
“The success of Twisterella is clear proof that cities, towns and communities throughout the land can stake a claim for culture, music and the arts to lead, guide, gel and unite. *****” – Morning Star
“The multi-venue festival has always been known for its trailblazing line-ups of emerging new music and this year’s line-up delivered on that promise once again.” – Gigwise
“Twisterella is looking to add itself to the likes of The Great Escape and Liverpool Sound City as one of the UK’s best multi-venue festivals. Judging by the acts announced for their first outing, they’re well on the way to doing just that.” – Amazing Radio
“If you’re still on the hunt for your new favourite band then can we gently cough the word “Twisterella” at you? It’s a new festival in Middlesbrough that will almost definitely feature a band that you’re going to clutch to your bosom.” – The Crack
“Two of Teesside’s leading independent promoters have joined forces to launch a one-day multi-venue festival in Middlesbrough… The event is looking to capitalise on the promoters’ track record for booking emerging acts.” – Live UK
“Twisterella exudes an air of passion that makes the small price tag an excellent value-for-money purchase. Strong headline acts may bring in the crowds but hidden gems are where the beauty of this festival lies, and it looks like the vast number of Northern acts will be walking away with hordes of new fans. An accessible set-up highlighting local businesses is always a plus, and Middlesborough’s October day out once again cements itself as a win-win scenario for the region.” – Clash
“Twisterella has once again proved that it is one of the best metropolitan festivals in the UK, with all of the venues within spitting distance. The distinct lack of major clashes, and the general organisation was all spot on. With an exceptionally broad line up that caters for an equally wide cross section of music fans. We cannot commend them enough, and we can’t wait to come back and do it all again next year!” – Louder Than War
“The emphasis is on displaying high quality national and international talent alongside an enviable supporting cast of local musicians at the top of their game…a shining example of how gig promotion can be done professionally, with passion, energy and insight.” – NARC.
TWISTERELLA 