This Friday, grassroots promoters This Feeling take to Bridlington Spa for the second By The Sea festival. In an era of venues closing down, poor outcomes from streaming, and mainstream media barely interested in bands, This Feeling proves there is another way.
Spangled at 2023's festival. Image Credit: Dirty Rock Photography
Everyone featured last year, and this began in grassroots venues with This Feeling. All were given crucial exposure and chances to develop via their festival stages at Isle of Wight, Truck, Godney Gathering, and YNot. Stages that we can attest to attract big crowds.
Whilst This Feeling are promoters, they recognise that the industry has fragmented and bands need help connecting the dots. As such, they have helped all of this year’s line-up receive their first radio plays from crucial tastemakers such as John Kennedy (Radio X), Jericho Keys (BBC Introducing), Gary Crowley (BBC Radio London), and Jim Salveson (XS Manchester).
We sat down with This Feeling’s Mikey Jonns recently to discuss By The Sea and all things new music:
How does it feel to be back for a second year? Amazing, absolutely buzzing for it. Honestly, it's a dream come true.
What were your highlights from 2023? Every act was amazing and the atmosphere was magical. To see so many people from all over the UK (the world!) enjoying themselves watching bands we've supported right from the start was probably the proudest I've ever been.
The Lathums at 2023's festival. Image Credit: Dirty Rock Photography
With so many good bands gracing This Feeling stages across the UK, how tough has it been selecting the line-up? Very! There's so much quality out there but we feel we've nailed it and there's something for everyone this weekend.
Having John Kennedy and Jericho Keys must be a huge bonus? Yeah, to get two of the biggest and best new music champions on board, plus Fenners who also falls into that category, it's the best cherry on top ever. They've been on a journey with us and most of the acts on the bill since the start, it all helps adds to the magic. Everything we do is real.
Breaking bands seems more challenging now than ever. Are this year's headliners, The Ks and Royston Club, a shining light for the acts you put on that the rock n roll dream can still be achieved? Absolutely. Both started their journey with us in tiny hometown venues, then grassroots tours and our festival stages. To see them doing so well and with so much more to come, we're buzzing for them, and they're showing what's possible and inspiring the next wave of guitar bands.
What advice would you give a band starting on day one today? If you're not prepared to work hard, go and do something else instead.
What This Feeling gigs should we look out for this autumn/winter? Oh, we've got loads, including The K's, The Clause, The Crooks, The Lilacs, Rosellas, The Kairos, Megan Wyn, Tom A. Smith, Bride, plus there's still more to be announced. The future's bright, the future's at This Feeling!
Click the image below for tickets to this year’s festival:
