Platform 22 is a showcase event for local artists on the up and up. The next one is at Independent in Sunderland this December, and the line-up is packing a significant amount of heat.

Marisam Events – the movers and groovers behind Platform 22 – have come up with a real Christmas cracker of a showcase this December with three artists that’ll make the hairs on the back of your neck positively coo with delight. Shannon Pearl (pictured) is someone we’ve sung the praises of before – on more than occasion – and her self-described ‘witch-pop’ is a haunting and ethereal thing of beauty. She has an uncanny knack of being able to conjure melodies out of the ether that are transportative, spiritual and absolutely drenched in atmosphere. On a decidedly jauntier tip is Durham based ivies, an indie-pop outfit who pen the kind of melodies that have a real skip to their step. Catchy hooks simply tumble out of them and even when they throttle things back (‘semi-detached’ and ‘therapy’) the quality of their songwriting really shines through. Heavier indie-rock will be supplied by Primaveras, a raucous four-piece who hit it out of the park when it comes to rumbling riffs and moshpit igniting choruses. If you’re a fan of Fontaines DC then you’re going to go an absolute bundle for this lot. Three acts, then: all very different, but all very amazing. DP

Platform 22: Shannon Pearl + ivies + Primaveras, Saturday 14 December, Independent, Sunderland, 7pm, £6, independentsunderland.com