The North East has always had a pretty impressive musical reputation — but if you think you've heard all the region has to offer, think again.
There’s a seriously exciting new generation of artists coming through right now, from experimental indie and drea
my shoegaze to alternative folk and unapologetic pop. We’ve been keeping our ears firmly on the ground and have picked out four North East artists we think you need to know about.
These are the artists we’re adding to our playlists, keeping an eye on and, most importantly, telling our mates about.
Tight Collar
If you like your music loud, unpredictable and a little bit chaotic, Tight Collar should be firmly on your radar.
The Newcastle band are bringing a seriously energetic take on post-punk, mixing raw emotion with experimental sounds and even hints of jazz. Their debut single White Noise picked up attention in both the UK and US, and their follow-up Plasticine Castle shows a band becoming increasingly confident in their sound.
There’s something distinctly Newcastle about them — brash, energetic and completely unwilling to play it safe.
And honestly? That's exactly what we want from a new band.
Start with: Plasticine Castle
Powtes
Fancy something a little different?
Meet Powtes, a six-piece alt-folk collective from Newcastle who are doing things very much on their own terms.
Bringing together musicians from the city's folk and improvised music scene, Powtes create music built around acoustic textures, drones and unusual interpretations of traditional folk songs. Their music can feel incredibly delicate one minute and completely overwhelming the next.
It's the sort of music that demands you actually stop what you're doing and listen.
Their work also draws on themes of radical resistance and the history of enclosure, giving the project a fascinating sense of place and identity.
Start with: master kilby
Loren Heat
If you're looking for a pop artist who isn't afraid to be completely themselves, Loren Heat is one to watch.
The Teesside artist has been building serious momentum, combining sharp, infectious pop with lyrics that explore love, lust, identity and life in the North East. Their music is bold, colourful and unapologetically queer, with influences ranging from Lady Gaga and Dua Lipa to Billie Eilish.
And it's not just us taking notice. Loren has already received support from BBC Introducing and a host of music tastemakers, while their live shows have helped establish them as one of the region's most exciting emerging performers.
From their debut single Curiosity to their more recent releases, Loren Heat is proving that North East pop can be every bit as exciting as what's coming out of London, Manchester or anywhere else.
Start with: Orchestrate Me
Labyrinthine Oceans
Last but certainly not least, we've got Labyrinthine Oceans.
The Newcastle-formed band have carved out a hazy, atmospheric corner of the alternative scene, blending shoegaze, grunge and dream-rock into something that feels both nostalgic and completely fresh.
Their music creates this huge, immersive world of distorted guitars, layered noise and captivating vocals — perfect for anyone who likes their indie music on the darker, dreamier side.
They've already built a dedicated following through their live shows and have supported artists including Been Stellar and Whitelands. They've also been named as one of BBC Introducing North East's tips for 2026, so we're clearly not the only ones paying attention.
Their latest release, For the Flesh and for the Machine, sees them pushing their sound even further, exploring darker themes around technology, surveillance and dystopia.
Definitely one to keep an eye on.
Start with: For the Flesh and for the Machine
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