August is traditionally the month when venues take a bit of a breather and gig goers are left twiddling their thumbs, right? WRONG! ‘Marrapalooza 3: A Thing In The North’ is taking over Ouseburn valley in Newcastle this August with a whole bunch of bands and artists getting ready to apply to jump leads to the calendar’s most soporific month.

I say – in the byline above – that Marrapalooza 3 is taking over Ouseburn valley, but the whole thing is actually kicking off on Friday 8 August at The Lubber Fiend in Newcastle city centre with an appearance from Brad Stank. This fella’s captivating stuff is smooth, languid and deeply soulful – and has, on occasion, been described as “sexistential” pop. His live sets are things of sensual joy, offering sophisticated and jazz-leaning psychedelia that is utterly enrapturing. It’s then, on Saturday 9 August, that the whole shebang shifts to Ouseburn with The Grove, The Tyne Bar, The Cumberland Arms, Old Coal Yard, Two By Two Brewery and Little Buildings all providing stages for a truly thrilling line-up. And among that thrilling line-up will be awesome Venus Grrrls (pictured) from Leeds. Deeply influenced by the original Riot Grrrl movement, they also deploy some goth-grunge synths that really gives them extra oomph. Their lives shows are also electrifying as they channel raw emotion into bold anthems which just keep on coming. Another Crack fave is Newcastle based Ruth Lyon, a multi-instrumentalist who first burst on the scene as frontwoman with Moly Moly & The Crackers. Her solo stuff combines intense honesty and soul-searching lyrics with a blend of musical styles that take in everything from indie-folk to baroque-pop. Ipswich’s dynamic rising star Native James is another artist who’s adept at blending genres, fusing hip-hop, grime, punk, rock, metal and garage in ways that are often chaotic but always exhilarating. And his vocal attack is guaranteed to hold you rapt as his commanding voice delivers those hard-hitting truths. Gans are a two-piece from Birmingham who have already played a raucous gig in the north-east this year (the Engine Room in North Shields) and it’s great that they’re returning so soon. Their sound is both heavy and raw – balancing alt rock with catchy and infectious grooves – but they also mix in a surprising tenderness to go with all that bone crunching intensity. Oh – great lyrics, too. Another local lass who is a firm Crack fave is Melanie Baker. A singer/songwriter of rare quality she has already received significant radio support from the likes of BBC Introducing and BBC 6 Music who can’t get enough of her sparkling indie-folk and melodic know-how that she uses to address life’s trials and tribulations in an honest and clear-eyed way. Also well worth catching is She Drew The Gun (aka Louisa Roach) an artist who brings many different genres under her spell – including 80s electronica, hip-hop and psychedelia – as she takes a swing at the wild injustices of the world. It’s also great to see other fab local acts on the bill such as Newcastle duo Phil and Cath Tyler (playing Anglo-American folk using guitar, banjo, voice and fiddle) and Billingham’s lo-fi rockers and rabble-rousers Mouses. We’re only scratching the surface of everyone taking part in Marrapalooza this year – and new names are being added to the line-up all the time – so take yourself off to the website below for the full thrilling roster along with ticket details etc. DP

Marrapalooza 3: A Thing In The North, Friday 8 and Saturday 9 August, Ouseburn Valley (+ Lubber Fiend). There’s a range of tickets on offer starting from £15. More info: marrapalooza.co.uk