Line-up

Headliner
Stornoway Last time in Sunderland: First time!

Venue

Unknown venue

Sunderland, UK

Stornoway biography

Stornoway (formed in 2006) is an English indie-folk and alternative chamber pop band, known for their disarmingly personal live performances, hailing from Oxford, England.

Having first met at the esteemed Oxford University’s Fresher’s week, guitarist Brian Briggs and keyboard player Jon Ouin soon began playing music together and searching for members to join their project. Being the only respondent to the pair’s advertisement for a bass player, Oli Steadman later joined Stornoway’s ranks and subsequently invited his drummer brother Rob Steadman. Stornoway, named after the Scottish town, made their radio debut in March 2006 with their demo “I Saw You Blink” on BBC Oxford Introducing. The demo EP “The Early Adventures of Stornoway” followed shortly afterwards, and due to their popularity among BBC Radio 1 DJs, began a succession of high-profile live appearances.

In 2009 Stornoway played at Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Glastonbury Festival, Tate Modern, London, and became the first unsigned band to play on “Later… with Jools Holland” alongside heavyweights Sting, Norah Jones, Jay-Z, and Foo Fighters. As a result of these performances Stornoway’s national exposure skyrocketed leading the band to sign with revered label 4AD in early 2010. Ahead of their full-length debut “Beachcomber’s Windowsill” the band released the official single “I Saw You Blink”. The 2010 studio album debuted at No. 14 on the UK Albums Chart, earned a wave of rave reviews, aided by the popular single “Zorbing”. Following a select number of small shows around Oxford the band embarked on a huge worldwide tour that lasted until late 2011. Upon returning to the UK the band released the EP “4AD Session” in May 2011 recorded at the Rotunda, an abandoned doll’s house museum in Oxford.

In September 2012 Stornoway issued their sophomore album “Tales from Terra Firma” led by the single “Knock Me On the Head”. Peaking at No. 26 on the UK Albums Chart, the album once again received positive reviews and was supported by a worldwide tour. The mini-album “You Don’t Know Anything” arrived in September 2013 surprising fans, before beginning a modest UK tour. Stornoway third full-length album “Bonxie” marked their departure from 4AD, and was entirely crowdfunded. The record earned a plethora of positive reviews from the likes of the Guardian, Uncut, and Q Magazine, and charted at No. 20 on the UK Albums Chart.

Live reviews

A band that will always put you in a good mood - no matter how bad your day – is Stornoway. With their uplifting melodies and beautiful instrumental arrangements, they are guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Like many people I was drawn to Stornoway on hearing their heart-warming and romantic track 'Zorbing' – I'll always appreciate anything with a brass section and this song has a charming melody.
Far from being from Stornoway - a town located on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides - the band actually hail from Oxford (and at the time of choosing their name had never actually ventured to the Scottish island town). After being the first unsigned band to perform on the infamous 'Later...with Jools Holland', the band were snapped up by label 4AD and subsequently released their debut titled 'Beachcomber's Windowsill'. The band is comprised of Brian Briggs, Jonathan Ouin and brothers Oli and Rob Steadman. Briggs and Ouin hit it off in Freshers' week of university and then later recruited the two Steadman brothers to form the band.
They treat the crowd to a combination of songs from both albums; playing some old favourites which included 'I Saw You Blink' and 'Fuel Up' from 'Beachcomber's Windowsill' as well as their single 'Knock Me On the Head' from their follow up album, 'Tales from Terra Firma'. Frontman Briggs' delicate vocals are consistent throughout. The band appeared to be very humble and as Briggs earnestly thanked the crowd throughout the performance.

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