One of the fastest rising stars in the north-east, Finn Forster is all set to play Sunderland this May.

Middlesbrough-lad Finn Forster has rapidly risen through the ranks to find himself as one of the UK’s most promising breakout artists. And what makes him truly one-to-watch is his deft combination of working-class grit and stadium-ready ambition. His sound, let’s call it soulful-indie, blends the storytelling of Paolo Nutini with the anthemic power of the Stereophonics, and, what’s more, it’s all anchored by a powerhouse vocal range that feels both weathered and urgent. Whether he is singing about the streets of Teesside or the emotional weight of a friend’s six-year absence in his fab single ‘Pablo’, Forster possesses a natural ability to turn personal, north-east narratives into universal, sing-a-long experiences. He’s received plenty of industry support from the likes of BBC Radio 1 and Radio X, and last year he pocketed the Tees Valley Artist of the Year award. With a growing reputation for electric, high-energy live sets, it won’t be long before Forster moves beyond local hero status. GM

Finn Forster + special guests, Saturday 23 May, Independent, Sunderland, 7pm, £12, independentsunderland.com