Is this young fellow the next huge breakout star to emerge from the north-east? After listening to his second album – released in May – I’m saying “YES!” Andrew Cushin is doing well. Better than well. I mean, he’s already played a sold-out gig at the City Hall (becoming the youngest ever Geordie to do so). And his debut album ‘Waiting For The Rain’ saw him gather a whole bunch of big hitters into his corner including Noel Gallagher, Sam Fender and Pete Doherty. But there’s no mystery to his early success. While not re-inventing the wheel, he takes the classic indie/rock template and then runs with it – injecting his songs with bags of heart and the kind of melodies that are stuffed full with sing-a-long choruses. His new album (out on 2 May) is entitled ‘Love Is For Everyone’ and, again, he’s pulling all the right levers, specifically those levers marked ‘Big Arena Filling Anthems’. From the jauntily exuberant ‘Alright!’ to the stirring, lighters-in-the-air closer ‘Coming Home’, it’s an album that aims for moon and ruddy well hits it. He’s playing the Come Together festival in Newcastle on 4 June and I reckon he’ll bring the house down. DP

Seek: andrewcushin.os.fan