Levellers – everyone’s favourite anarcho-punks – are still one of the most potent forces of nature you’ll find on the live circuit and their latest tour sees their merry charabanc stopping off at Sunderland’s The Fire Station.

In these times of mega pop stars such as Beyoncé and Paul McCartney headlining Glastonbury, it almost seems incongruous now that acts as idiosyncratic as Levellers once took top billing at The Pyramid Stage. But that’s what happened in 1992 when their set drew a crowd estimated at 300,000. The band has always ploughed their own furrow, never shying away from left-wing causes, causes that are pushed up front and centre in their lyrical concerns. But they’ve always married their message to a truly rousing, raucous sound that encompasses elements of Celtic rock, folk and punk. The Brighton band formed in 1988 and since then they’ve released a whole bunch of well-received albums including platinum sellers such as 1991’s superb ‘Levelling the Land’, which featured the hit singles ‘One Way’, ’15 Years’ and ‘Far From Home’. Should be a great gig in Sunderland as they have special guests Bar Stool Preachers on support duties. GM

Levellers + Bar Stool Preachers, Friday 11 July, The Fire Station, Sunderland, 7pm, £38, thefirestation.org.uk