Indie-pop heroes Fickle Friends are something of a cult band – certainly in my book – and they’ll be going through their summery paces when they play Independent in Sunderland this June.

If I had a pencil case, it would be covered in graffiti that proclaimed ‘I LOVE FICKLE FRIENDS’. Because it’s true – I DO love this Brighton four-piece who never fail to brighten up my life by several notches whenever I slap some of their exuberant output on my turntable. They make the kind of life-affirming indie-pop that lifts your very soul, life-affirming indie-pop that even launched them into the Top 10 of the albums chart with their debut release ‘You Are Someone Else’ back in 2018. It’s still an album I dig out on a regular basis as it’s chockfull of bangers that are stuffed with ultra-sharp songwriting chops and very groovesome tunes. The band are renowned for their electrifying live shows so find out what makes them so special for yourselves when they romp into Sunderland this June. DP

Fickle Friends, Friday 20 June, Independent, Sunderland, 7pm, £17, independentsunderland.com