Twisterella Festival

Middlesbrough's award-winning multi-venue music festival returns once again.

Wristband exchange opens midday and is located at Teesside University Students' Union. First acts on stage 1pm.

Ages 14+ event (14-17yrs with an adult)

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Middlesbrough’s award-winning music festival Twisterella has announced the first batch of artists performing at this year’s event across multiple venues throughout the town.

First wave of acts announced:

Swim School, Adult DVD, Scrounge, Y, Irked, Roller Disco Death Party, Nature Kids, Smith And Liddle, Champ, Blackout the Arcade, Parissa Zarifi, Dossers, Middle Management.

Many more acts still to be announced.

Twisterella 2025 will play host to an impressive lineup of established & emerging talent including headliners Swim School and Adult DVD joined by friends of the festival Irked, local favourites Smith And Liddle as well as brand new acts such as Scrounge, Y and Roller Disco Death Party with many more still to be announced.

This year’s headliners, Scottish indie alchemists Swim School, have drawn inspiration from icons as diverse as Taylor Swift and Metallica but the trio’s unique dream-grunge sound puts them up there with the likes of Wolf Alice, Slowdive and Foals. With three EPs and a mixtape to date and a tour supporting Irish chart-topping garage-rockers Inhaler under their belt, Swim School will no doubt be performing material from their highly anticipated self-titled debut album due later this year.

Joining them at the top of the bill are synth-driven, tongue-in-cheek dance-rock sextet Adult DVD. Returning to Twisterella as worthy headliners, the Leeds-based outfit saw their infectious and critically acclaimed 2024 floor-filler ‘Do Something’ playlisted on BBC6Music and have kicked off 2025 in fitting style with a series of sold-out headline shows across the country.

Taking place in venues across Middlesbrough including Teesside University Students’ Union and Middlesbrough Town Hall Crypt, Twisterella’s metropolitan, multi-venue format offers value and convenience to festival goers, providing them with a unique opportunity to witness numerous incredible performances throughout the day. In the decade since its inception, the event has become a central part of the North East’s thriving music scene and was recognised with an AIF Independent Festival Award in 2019 for its innovative approach to developing and showcasing new talent.

Now in its 11th year, Twisterella has previously played host to established acts such as Sam Fender, Pip Blom, Dream Wife, Benefits and Prima Queen, whilst the festival's co-promoters have a proven track record of bringing exciting talent to the region having hosted early shows for the likes of The 1975, Wolf Alice, Alt-J, Daughter, Mumford & Sons, The Vaccines, Catfish & The Bottlemen and many more.