The Texas band Midlake are one of the best bands to come out of the US this century. There, I’ve said it. They’re playing Sunderland on the last day of January.

Oh, Midlake! How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. For one, their ability to craft deeply evocative, meticulously textured music while constantly evolving their sound is one. An almost obstinate refusal to repeat themselves is another. Their breakthrough ‘The Trials of Van Occupanther’ (2006) is a masterclass in 70s-inspired soft-rock and folk-pop, full of warm production, irresistible melodic chops (like the cult hit ‘Roscoe’), and poetic, fantastical storytelling. The album captured a sense of yearning for a pre-industrial age, with its lush arrangements and gorgeous, layered harmonies. They followed that not with an easy re-tread, but a dramatic shift to the darker, minor-key progressive folk-rock of ‘The Courage of Others’ (2010), drawing heavily on 1960s British folk acts like Pentangle and Fairport Convention. And they proved that they’re still pushing envelopes with 2025’s fabulous ‘A Bridge To Far’ album (their sixth long-player), which is resplendent with cinematic soul and pastoral folk rock. Live, they’re absolutely amazing, so if you get the chance to see them in the flesh, do not pass it up. GM

Midlake + support, Saturday 31 January, The Fire Station, Sunderland, 7pm, £35, thefirestation.org.uk