Suspirium, Zeta Point and Pretentious Join The Forum’s Live and Local
Suspirium, Zeta Point and Pretentious play The Forum Darlington's Live and Local night on 29 October 2026.
Live and Local at The Forum Darlington returns on Thursday 29 October 2026 with three North East acts taking over the main stage: Darlington alternative rock band Suspirium, County Durham electronic project Zeta Point and Hartlepool trio Pretentious. The monthly series is built around artists from the region, and this edition brings together three very different approaches rather than filling the bill with bands chasing the same sound.
Suspirium bring the heaviest guitar edge of the night. The Darlington four-piece feature Davey Cuthbert on lead guitar and vocals, Jonty Ledbetter on saxophone, Gabriel Dye on bass and Isaac Timmins on drums. They are currently promoting their self-titled debut EP, with grungy guitar work, psychedelic vocals and saxophone giving the band a character that goes beyond a standard alternative-rock line-up.
Live and Local at The Forum Darlington
Zeta Point shift the bill in another direction. Formed in 2024 by Jacob Elliott, the County Durham act combines darkwave, dreampop and trip-hop within an experimental electronic power-pop sound. That should give the night a useful change of texture between the two guitar bands, while still fitting the wider alternative feel of the event.
Pretentious complete the line-up. The Hartlepool three-piece draw on the likes of Pixies, Weezer and Green Day, mixing alternative-rock riffs and changes in pace with melody, harmony and a nostalgic pop undertone. Their independent catalogue is available through Bandcamp, and this Darlington date gives the band another chance to take that material beyond their home town.
The event takes place at The Forum Music Centre in Darlington. Doors open at 6.30pm and the show is expected to start at around 7pm. Tickets are £4, the event is standing, and The Forum lists it as 14+, with under-18s needing to attend with an adult.
At that price, Live and Local remains one of the easiest ways to catch several emerging North East acts on a proper venue stage in one evening. The mix of Suspirium, Zeta Point and Pretentious also means there is enough contrast across the bill to make each artist stand out.
Tickets and current information are available through the official Forum event page. Details were correct at the time of writing. Please check The Forum and the artists’ official channels before travelling for any late changes to timings, admission information or the line-up.
