Failed To Ignite

Failed To Ignite is the solo pop-punk and emo project of Anthony, an independent North East singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer from Shildon. Rather than performing with a...

September 10, 2026

Failed To Ignite is the solo pop-punk and emo project of Anthony, an independent North East singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer from Shildon. Rather than performing with a conventional backing band, he builds a full-band sound himself, using guitar, a drum pad and a loop pedal to layer each part live.

That one-man setup is a big part of what makes Failed To Ignite stand out on the North East grassroots circuit. Anthony writes, records and produces his own material, drawing on the melodic hooks of pop-punk and the more emotional edge of emo and alternative music. His sound sits between the nostalgia of acts such as Blink-182 and Green Day and the newer pop-punk approach associated with bands including State Champs and Neck Deep.

Failed To Ignite grew out of Anthony’s years playing in bands. Having previously spent much of his time as a bass player, he began writing songs that did not fit the projects he was involved with and developed them independently while teaching himself music production. The solo project gave him the chance to move into the frontman role while keeping control of the writing, recording and live arrangement.

His releases have continued to build that identity. The 2025 Haunted EP brought together a more personal and introspective side of the project, while 2026 has included singles such as Sad Song, It’s You, Not Me, My Best Friend and Groundhog Day. His current material continues to balance energetic pop-punk with the rawer, personal writing at the heart of the project.

Live, Failed To Ignite remains very much a solo act rather than a band. Anthony constructs the arrangements in front of the audience through looping, guitar and percussion, gradually turning a one-person performance into something much closer to a full-band pop-punk sound. He has taken that setup around the North East and beyond, including appearances at grassroots venues across Newcastle, Gateshead, Durham, Teesside and the wider UK.

With further releases and live dates continuing through 2026, Failed To Ignite has developed into a distinctive part of the region’s alternative scene: a solo artist using the scale and energy of pop-punk without losing the DIY approach that sits behind the project.