Stannington

Stannington and Newcastle’s DIY scene

Stannington are a five-piece from Newcastle upon Tyne making guitar music that pulls from jangle-pop, post-punk and the more melodic side of British indie. Formed in 2022, the band came together through Newcastle’s underground DIY circuit before settling into a line-up featuring Lewis Thompson on vocals, Mark McGarry and Joe Munsey on guitars, Louis Clark on bass and Charlie Radford on drums. Several members have roots in other North East projects, which gives Stannington a sound that feels connected to the city’s existing alternative scene while still being its own thing.

The band’s music is built around bright, often chiming guitar lines, dry lyrical observation and a rhythm section that keeps the songs moving without overcomplicating them. There are clear nods to jangle-pop and post-punk, but Stannington also draw on the North East’s own guitar history, including the kind of thoughtful indie associated with labels such as Kitchenware. That local reference point matters because the band’s identity is not just based on where they play. Newcastle runs through the tone, humour and slightly sardonic edge of the songs.

From Through You to Farmers Market

Stannington began defining that sound through early material released via Bandcamp and Newcastle label ZECHE. Tracks such as Through You and Roads introduced a band interested in concise songwriting rather than big studio gestures, with guitars carrying much of the colour while the vocals keep the focus on the lyric. Their debut EP Farmers Market, released in 2025, pushed that approach further and gave listeners a clearer picture of where the group were heading.

The band have also been steadily building live experience beyond the city. Early UK touring helped broaden their audience, while Newcastle shows at venues such as The Cumberland Arms kept them tied to the grassroots network that first gave them space to develop. Their official Linktree brings together current music, Bandcamp, Instagram and live information, reflecting a very DIY way of working that suits the band’s sound and approach.

Stannington on the North East live circuit

SoundBite North East includes Stannington as a Newcastle artist because the connection is explicit and well established. Bandcamp lists the band in Newcastle, their label is based in the city, and their early history is rooted in the local underground circuit rather than built around occasional touring appearances.

What makes Stannington worth following is the balance between familiarity and personality. The influences are easy enough to spot, but the best songs have a strong local character and a sharper lyrical edge than generic indie revivalism. With a developing catalogue, a solid DIY base and growing live experience, Stannington are one of the more interesting guitar bands currently coming through Newcastle’s independent scene.