Social Youth Cult w/ Machiner & Holy Braille

‘A night of dark music from across the North East, featuring everything from heavy post-punk to techno-like ‘harsh-wave’ to expansive, guitar driven ballads.’

Headlining the night are young post-punks Social Youth Cult, coming off of an array of sold-out shows and festival appearances across the country. The wildly unusual group from Newcastle-upon-Tyne have made quite the impact on the UK goth and post-punk scenes since their formation in October 2023. Having shed the skin of their early darkwave efforts, the band’s new work commands listeners to pay attention via a rhythmic, heavier sound reminiscent of early Bauhaus. Refusing a firm definition, their sound is atmospheric, yet sporadic; outward, yet introspective; gothic, yet Gang of Four. Since their debut, they’ve supported bands such as Corpus Delicti, Vision Video, Cold in Berlin and Twisted Nerve. 2025 also saw sold-out headline shows in Newcastle, Nottingham and Whitby. Social Youth Cult represents a new wave of underground post-punk focussed on experimentation, energy and a rejection of the current trends of dark music. They don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. SYC were the recipients of Spark FM’s ‘2025 Album of the Year’ award for their album ‘The Lighthouse’.

We are Machiner. A darkwave electro guitar band from Teesside who make widescreen atmospheric music using chiming/distorted guitars, drum machines, synthesizers and computer orchestration, combined with sailing vocals and confessional lyrics to create big skyscraping songs with deep emotional undertones…sometimes dark, and sometimes with a little light up ahead in the distance.

The band have been very active on the UK Postpunk/Gothic/Darkwave scene growing our fanbase whilst recording around gigs, and have just completed our debut album which will be released on limited coloured vinyl & digital through Butterfly Effect records on the 7th of August.

“Originating from Hartlepool, Machiner are known for creating massive, immersive atmospheres. They are a rising force in the North East alternative scene, often cited for taking traditional dark-scene styles into more experimental, rhythmic territories”. – Blaqkholesun Festival

Holy Braille. Dark outfit from Sunderland UK. Harsh-Wave, Computer-Punk.

Independent. Venue, Disco, Drinking Den. We are Sunderland.

On show days, ticket holders can enjoy 20% off food and drinks at local business’ Koji, Mexico 70, and The Ship Isis. We recommend booking the restaurants on weekends.

Flat level parking is available directly opposite the venue, free after 3pm on weekdays and after 6pm on Saturdays & Sundays. Sunderland train station is just a two-minute walk and the bus interchange is a five-minute walk.

For more venue information: www.independentsunderland.com