The Futureheads bring the successful inaugural Split Festival to a close

On first glance, a Sunday afternoon in October didn't really seem like the best idea for an outdoor festival, but the weather luckily held out, and for the most part, the day saw better weather conditions than most festivals in during the summer months.

Upon arrival, I was greeted with a marquee tent in the middle of a cricket/rugby, containing two stages, which allowed simultaneous performances from bands, meaning continuous music, which can never be a bad thing.

The line-up of the festival was made entirely of local acts, showing that Sunderland and the surrounding area can also make some pretty good music when compared to nearby Newcastle.

One of the first bands of the day was Coal Train, taking to the NARC Stage (Local Music Paper). The band formed from the ashes of former, popular local act, This Aint Vegas. They've said themselves that "Our home and the surrounding areas was practically built on coal and we've often felt the need to explore beyond it." But upon first listen to songs such as 'Wish List', it's hard to find these comparisons. Live, however, they're an excellent act, working the crowd, enjoying the atmosphere and their edgy indie-rock style is definitely welcomed by the local crowd.

Following straight after, on the Main Stage, were Frankie and the Heartstrings, who are definitely starting to make a name for themselves across the country, and with support slots coming up in December for Florence & the Machine, things can only get better for the band. Their quirky look is matched with their own brand of quirky indie, creating what can only be described as music to dance to. It's clear to me that big things are destined for this band.

Also on the main stage was experimental, post punk, instrumentalists ‘BEAK>. The easiest way to describe this 5-piece is, simply, different. They're like nothing else out there, and that to me can only be complimented. Arriving on stage with a different bird mask on, each member launched into their material like all post-punk bands should, by thrashing it. Songs such as 'Get Your Beak On', and 'Return of the Mallard', show a continuing topic, but the music can only be described as sublime to me. They really impressed me live, and for a band so different they could even be called 'cutting edge'. Unfortunately however, due to the very nature of it all, the band will no doubt never receive the popularity that they may deserve. However, there was a decent sized crowd for the band at the festival, and their local legion of fans with no doubt keep the band gigging, and I'd definitely recommend them to anyone if the chance arose.

Continuing on the main stage, and making their first live appearance for nearly two years, local boys Field Music were greeted like returning heroes upon their taking to the stage. With a new album on the way, following on from their 2007 debut, 'Tones of Town', I expected the band to debut a lot of new material, but like all bands should at festivals, they showcased only a little taste of what was to come, and treated the sizeable, expectant crowd to a set containing much of their debut album. Songs such as 'In Context' still sounded so fresh to me, despite being over two years old, and for the band's first gig back in such a long time, they still performed as if their last gig was only the night before, and they clearly, thoroughly enjoyed themselves in the process.

Headlining back over on the NARC stage were 1976, original punk act, Penetration, who originated from a small town outside nearby Durham. After 23 years of gigging you'd be forgiven for thinking that the band might not have the energy, nor their original punk rock look, but not Penetration. Taking to the stage complete with dyed black hair, and studded leather jackets, the band launched into their extensive back catalogue with the same venom that they did all those years ago. Unfortunately, many revellers, who by now were simply freezing in the cold October air, took this opportunity to go inside the club house or to buy some chips, but those that stayed, were far from disappointed. Many fans watching the band had been there at their first gig, or so they claimed, and definitely weren’t about to miss another local show, and far from disappointed.

However, closing proceedings were, arguably, Sunderland's most popular and successful band, The Futureheads. This also was the first time the band had appeared live for some time, and having partly organised the festival, it seemed only right that they headline. Treating the sizeable crowd to a selection of songs from all three of their albums, and giving a taste of their upcoming one, the band raced through fan favourites such as 'Le Garage', 'Decent Days and Nights', and, my personal highlight of their set and of the day, 'Meantime'. Everyone came down to watch them and as everyone belted out the words and danced away, partly only to keep warm, it really seemed like a great moment.

At the beginning of the set, Futureheads guitarist Ross Millard declared, "Sunderland, we have a festival", and that they definitely do. For me, the organisers are definitely onto a winner. The site works, it was well organised and stewarded, the drink and food prices certainly didn’t break the bank, and with the opportunity to watch comedians at the inside bar, there’s plenty on offer. I'll definitely be returning next year.

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