Last Train Home still remains one of the events of the year in the North East calendar; still light enough to spend all day outside, but with the creep of Autumn enough to make sure you’re able to, as the name promises, catch the last train.
Built on recent years, the short walk between venues always helps the festival feel accessible and easy to jump from band to band without having to make too many sacrifices.
Teeside based Anna Karila provided an early highlight on the Noisy Daughters stage, her expressive voice and touch of Americana being a gentle start to the day. Nano Kino followed with songs from their newly released debut album, Object A, mixing Sarah Suri’s dreamlike vocals with sharp guitars and flashes of heavier shoegaze provided by Duncan Lloyd’s ringing guitar and effects. Landing somewhere between the Cocteau Twins and Diiv Nano prove a very technically capable act.
Staying in the Noisy Daughters, WENCH are on next – bringing their style of aggressive, grunge/punk hit a hard edge. Growing in confidence, the WENCH team get better with every watch.
Back in the Noisy Daughters, Manchester’s The Empty Page keep the punk sprit intack. Standing out with recent single “A Feminine Ending”, the alternative punkers thrash, howl and scowl as they deliver forceful pieces about the need for understanding and community.
You can’t be everywhere, so I head to The Forum early to get in for locals Benefits who’s transformation from punk to dance continues to accelerate – Kingsley Hall getting into a deep, transcendental state, as partner in crime Robbie Major pings the drones, electronic pulses and chemical beats. Continuing to grow and evolve, they remain an excellent live act.
There’s a few DJ sets but it’s been a long day and so I decide to head off – my head filled with great songs and memories. Darlington always puts on a great show when it comes to the Last Train. Here’s to many more.