Peter Cat, Faithful Johannes & Neocia, Suspirium

Peter Cat is an leftfield art pop songwriter from Glasgow, whose music crackles with a dark and fierce intent. Combining art rock arrangements, surreal lyricism, and an arch vocal delivery, his signature sound is at turns both playful and apocalyptic (sometimes both at once). It's as if Pulp and King Crimson got involved in a mild fender-bender on the M1 - and neither had insurance.

Peter Cat signed with "East Anglia's premier record label", Trapped Animal, in late 2025 to release his sophomore LP, 'Starchamber' - an ambitious epic combining prog, art punk and lo-fi electronica that earned praise from MOJO, Record Collector, and the Bandcamp global homepage.

Not to rest on his laurels (or anyone else's), Peter Cat is back a mere 7 months later with 'Innocent Driver', a razor-sharp track that's already received support from BBC 6 Music and BBC Introducing in Scotland, and a 12-date UK tour forthcoming in October.

Durham City rapper Faithful Johannes is a one-off. A performer, storyteller and musician, who weaves Alan Bennett-level observational humour with his own crippling social anxieties.

In 2024 he teamed up with producer Neocia for their critically acclaimed album The House at Night. A delicate study of childhood memories, familial relationships and parental angst, that places Johannes' poetic forte at the front and centre of the North East scene. Neocia's approach is the perfect counterpoint for Johannes' words, using electronic soundscapes and handmade samples to bring even more atmosphere. Every beat is scene-setting perfection.

Johannes and Neocia come to Cafe Etch loaded with new songs from a forthcoming follow up album, and they'll probably do that one about charity shops too. Electronic Sound have described him as 'The Alan Bennett of Hip Hop' and 'John Betjeman with beats'.

Suspirium is an all original 4 piece alternative rock band from Darlington, featuring Davey Cuthbert on lead guitar and vocals, Jonty Ledbetter on saxophone, Gabriel Dye on bass guitar, and Isaac Timmins on drums.  Currently, we are promoting our eponymous debut EP in which our signature sound is on full display, with grungy guitar work, psychedelic vocals and soaring sax combined with the pulsating drive of our rhythm section.  During our interview on The Red Radio, one of the presenters said “This is special, we get to see so many local bands and you have a real unique difference.”  In our Disgraceland set, expect to hear our established tracks alongside some brand new material that has never been heard live before!