Shields are a Newcastle-based 5-piece band with a reputation for innovative alt-pop instrumentation and delicate harmonies. They have crafted a reputation for stunning live performances, honed by early tour support slots with the likes of Placebo, WALK THE MOON, and Everything Everything, and have appeared at BBC 6Music Festival, Melt!, Reeperbahn, and Glastonbury.

Their self-released 2016 debut album ‘How Can We Fix This?’ was produced by double Grammy award winner Adrian Bushby (Muse, Foo Fighters) and released to widespread critical acclaim, with support from The Guardian, MOJO, and Consequence of Sound amongst others. Following its release, Shields switched their focus to building the new label they had inadvertently started with the release of their debut album. Their label Kaleidoscope works with artists including Callum Pitt, Grace Gillespie and Penguin, with members of Shields heavily involved in all releases across the roster. However, 2018 is set to see their attention return to their own music, with a new EP set for release in October.

“How Can We Fix This? is so full of murderously infectious, polished pop, it will make you a) wonder why they didn’t feature in any of the recent ones-to-watch polls but also b) ecstatic that music can still surprise… Shields may single-handedly extend the lifespan of the traditional indie band... The whole album plays like one long (musical, existential) affirmation.” *(The Guardian) *

In November 2016, cousins Joseph Crookall (lead vocals/rhythm guitar) and Sam Quilliam (drums/backing vocals) came together with the idea of forming a band after Joseph made a move to Newcastle (from the Isle of Man), following a spark of success as a singer-songwriter. Having supported Tom Jones, 10cc, CAST, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, as well as playing a handful of festivals across the UK, Joseph felt the move was necessary to concentrate on the next chapter. Ready to generate new ideas, Sam called in a former band mate of his, Jack Dancer (bass/backing vocals), who he had shared success with both locally (in the north east) and nationally, having played on Glastonbury's BBC Introducing Stage as well as playing a Maida Vale session with Huw Stephens a few years back. Completing the line up is Joe Taylor (lead guitar/backing vocals). Sam and Joe went to school together where they played in jazz bands alongside each other from an early age. Joe went on to study jazz/trumpet at Leeds College of Music, as well as creating a name for himself as a singer-songwriter in the north east music scene. Sharing significant clicks through family, musical chemistry and small tastes of success; a strong foundation was set for PRIZE. The four got together in early December 2016 and began writing from the off. With a solid catalogue of material, the band started playing live in September 2017 and have already played a handful of local gigs supporting touring bands. In mid-December 2017, PRIZE released their debut track, 'Radio', which had several plays on BBC Introducing in the North East prior to the release. The track, recorded DIY in Joe's bedroom and basement of a teahouse, is just a small taster of what the band has to offer. Always keen to record new ideas as well as finished articles, the band will undoubtably be releasing a whole body of music in 2018. The musical intricacies, tight harmonies and rhythmic patterns in their writing style is drawn from their relatively broad ranged influences... but with their own sound/feel, of course. To name a few - Joseph loves The Police, Coldplay and Kings of Leon. Sam loves Everything Everything, Two Door Cinema Club and Frank Ocean. Jack loves D'Angelo and Paul Simon. Joe loves John Mayer and Ryan Adams. This concoction of 'loves' essentially generates PRIZE's genre, heavily sitting on the indie-pop line, but with a hint of blues, funk, reggae and rock...

Based in Newcastle and making their live debut at Evolution Emerging Festival, Fever Days’ sound combines elements of New Wave and lo-fi Alt-Pop, sitting somewhere between Graham Coxon, Cloud Nothings and The Futureheads. Despite only a handful of live appearances, the band have already created something of a buzz locally following appearances at Meet The North Festival and tour support slots with Brownbear and Spring King.

“An exhilarating shot of high-energy indie that sounds like a cross between Circa Waves and Jamie T.” *(The Devil Has The Best Tuna) *