Scott Hepple & The Sun Band bring Byker Grave showcase to The Lubber Fiend

Scott Hepple & The Sun Band will headline the Byker Grave Mercury Prize Fringe showcase at The Lubber Fiend on Saturday 17 October 2026, with support from Scottish psych and occult rock outfit Lucid Sins.

The Newcastle-based headliners are a natural fit for this one. Their sound pulls heavily from 1960s and 1970s rock, with fuzz-soaked guitars, chunky riffs and choruses built to stick. That combination has made them one of the more distinctive names coming through the local psych and garage scene, and this Mercury Prize Fringe date gives them another chance to bring that energy to one of Newcastle’s most characterful independent venues.

Byker Grave Mercury Prize Fringe showcase

Support comes from Lucid Sins, whose darker psych and occult-rock approach should make for a strong contrast without pulling the night too far away from its core sound. With both acts leaning into texture, atmosphere and guitar-driven weight, the line-up looks deliberately focused rather than thrown together around a broad theme.

The Lubber Fiend is also a good home for it. The venue has become a regular stop for left-field, underground and independent bookings, so a Byker Grave showcase built around garage, psych and heavier 1970s influences makes sense in the room. It should feel closer to a proper scene night than a one-off festival booking dropped into an unfamiliar space.

The show forms part of Mercury Prize Fringe, which runs across Newcastle from 15 to 22 October around the 2026 Mercury Prize activity in the city. The Fringe programme includes live shows, workshops, music experiences and industry events, with local venues and North East artists playing a major role across the week.

Byker Grave Showcase
Date: Saturday 17 October 2026
Venue: The Lubber Fiend, Newcastle
Line-up: Scott Hepple & The Sun Band and Lucid Sins

Read the official Generator listing for booking details and updates.

Event details can change. Check the venue, promoter and official event channels before travelling.