Review: Walt Disco w/support Irked at Three Tanners Bank

Walt Disco + IRKED – Three Tanners Bank, North Shields

There are few better places to spend a summer evening than the Fish Quay in North Shields (even in this intense heat!). As soon as the sun comes out, the whole place seems to come alive. People spill out onto the pavements with pints in hand, pubs are packed. It’s quickly become one of my favourite places to eat and drink in the North East. Before the gig, we made the most of it. We stopped off at Fred’s, one of the Quay’s newest additions, and what a welcome addition it is. Great beer garden, lovely drinks, and exactly the sort of independent place the Fish Quay does so well. Afterwards, we wandered over to the Low Lights Tavern, quite possibly one of the best pubs in the region for local cask ales.Fantastic beer, great staff, and the perfect place to start an evening of live music.

Just around the corner sits Three Tanners Bank, one of the North East’s most exciting grassroots venues. There’s something immersive about walking up those stairs at the back of the pub to reveal this hidden grotto, and I’m yet to see a bad band play this venue. You’re never far from the stage, it’s definitely the kind of room you’ll find your next favourite band before everyone else catches on. That certainly felt true on this particular evening.

IRKED

Opening the night were IRKED, another brilliant band flying the flag for the North East.

From the second they walked on stage, there wasn’t a moment to breathe. Their set was relentless in the best possible way. Wall-to-wall monster riffs, pounding drums, and the unmistakable presence of lead singer Helen Walkinshaw, whose commanding vocals immediately grabbed the room by the throat.

Her delivery reminded me of Amy Taylor from Amyl and the Sniffers, particularly that same snarling confidence and refusal to stand still. There were flashes of Wolf Alice’s Yuk Foo in there too, full of controlled chaos and punk attitude.

The standout track for me was The Grievance. Following a tongue-in-cheek tribute to Michael Jackson (had to have been there), the band launched into what can only be described as absolute fury. It instantly reminded me of early Soft Play tracks, with that brilliantly simple combination of crunchy guitar and driving drums. Sometimes the best punk songs don’t need to be complicated, they just need to make you move, and this did exactly that. The rhythm was impossible not to nod along to. 

I also loved The Hardest Man in Billingham, another brilliantly sharp slice of North East punk that showcased the band’s personality alongside their musicianship. More than anything, IRKED felt authentic. They weren’t trying to imitate anyone else. They had confidence in exactly who they are, and that translated brilliantly live. They’re absolutely one to watch, and I genuinely can’t wait to catch them headlining their own Newcastle show in the near future, please don’t be too long.

Walt Disco

I’d listened to bits and pieces of their music beforehand, but nothing really prepares you for seeing them live. From the moment they stepped onto the stage, it became clear this wasn’t just another indie band. Everything about Walt Disco feels carefully crafted. The striking outfits, the theatrical stage presence, it all feels somewhere between a 1970s glam rock show and a modern-day Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Fronted by Jocelyn Si, the band immediately filled the room with shimmering analogue synthesisers, driving basslines and soaring vocals that often reminded me of the emotional delivery of Sundara Karma, while still carrying echoes of Bowie’s classic theatrical flair.

Their music constantly shifts between genres without ever feeling disjointed. One moment you’re hearing angular post-punk guitars, the next you’re surrounded by lush synth textures before everything explodes into something that wouldn’t sound out of place on a 90s dancefloor. Without question though, my highlight of the evening was their brilliant new single Coupe de Foudre. It’s one of those songs where every instrument feels perfectly placed. The guitar slices cleanly through the mix, sitting just above those wonderfully dependable, driving drums. There’s a real swagger in how the arrangement builds, never becoming overcrowded.

Jocelyn’s vocals are the perfect match for it all. I especially loved the way her melody locks in with the guitar line during the chorus. It’s one of those little musical moments that scratches an itch in your brain every single time it comes around. Excited to add this one to my playlist. One thing that also stood out throughout their set was just how committed every member of the band was to the performance. Nobody simply stood and played their instrument. Every movement felt intentional. They blurred the line between concert and performance art without ever losing sight of the songs themselves. For all the visual flair and stagecraft, none of it ever distracted from the music. The songs remained the focus throughout, and they’re simply excellent songs. 

It’s nights like these that remind me why I love the North East music scene so much. An evening spent wandering around the Fish Quay in the sunshine, a couple of fantastic pubs, discovering another brilliant local band in IRKED, before watching one of the UK’s most exciting live acts in an intimate venue. It doesn’t get much better than that!

If you haven’t been to Three Tanners Bank yet, make the trip. Support venues like this because they’re the lifeblood of live music. And if either IRKED or Walt Disco are playing anywhere near you, do not hesitate!