Stockton-born Sarah Johnsone headlines a special all-female showcase at ARC this month alongside three of the region’s most exciting emerging acts
We are putting the spotlight firmly on the next generation of female musical talent as our growing grassroots live music series Soundcheck returns with a special line-up celebrating four of the North East’s most exciting emerging artists.
Taking place on Thur 26 Nov, the latest edition will be headlined by Stockton-born singer-songwriter Sarah Johnsone, whose rapidly growing reputation has seen her perform across the country, secure support slots with acclaimed acts English Teacher and Prima Queen, and appear at major festivals including Kendal Calling and Victorious.
Joining her will be alternative rock trio Prospect of Power, rising singer-songwriter Isabel Maria and folk-Americana artist Anna Karila, bringing together four distinctive acts for an evening celebrating original music, creativity and the strength of the region’s female-led music scene.
The show marks another important chapter for Soundcheck, ARC’s live music initiative dedicated to championing grassroots talent from Tees Valley and the wider North East, giving emerging musicians the opportunity to perform on a respected regional stage while introducing audiences to their potential new favourite artists.
For Johnsone, the headline performance represents a welcome return to her hometown after building a reputation for live shows that move between explosive, full-band energy and deeply personal, intimate moments.
Her performances have taken her and her band to venues and festivals across the UK, with their growing profile reflecting the strength of original music currently emerging from the North East.
Speaking ahead of the show, Sarah Johnsone said: ‘There’s always something special about coming back to Stockton to play, especially when you get to share the stage with so many brilliant artists from the North East. We’ve been lucky enough to take our music all over the country, but playing in front of a hometown crowd is a completely different feeling.
‘What’s really exciting about this Soundcheck is the line-up. There are so many talented women making original music in the region, all doing their own thing and creating something different. It’s brilliant to have a night that celebrates that, and I’m really looking forward to bringing the band back to ARC.’
Joining Johnsone are Prospect of Power, an alternative rock trio hand-picked by the headliner herself. Combining dense shoegaze textures, crushing guitars and powerful melodic hooks, the band have developed a distinctive sound built around dynamic songwriting and expansive live arrangements.
Also appearing is Isabel Maria, a 20-year-old singer-songwriter who describes herself as a ‘pensive popstar’. Making music since 2021, Isabel combines infectious melodies and piano-driven production with deeply personal lyrics, creating a sound that balances emotional honesty with contemporary pop influences.
Completing the line-up is North East singer-songwriter Anna Karila, whose delicate finger-picked guitar and storytelling-led songwriting draw on folk and Americana influences. Her debut release Sweet helped establish her place in the regional folk scene, with further recognition coming through BBC Introducing.
Together, the four artists represent the breadth of original music being created by women across the region, from atmospheric alternative rock and introspective pop to intimate folk and emotionally charged indie songwriting.
Parissa Zarifi, Programme Supervisor , said: ‘One of the things we’re most proud of with Soundcheck is the opportunity to introduce audiences to artists they might not have discovered otherwise. The North East has an incredible amount of musical talent, and it’s important that there are stages and opportunities for those artists to develop, perform and reach new audiences.
‘This particular line-up is a brilliant example of that. We’ve got four fantastic female artists, each with their own sound and identity, and Sarah is a wonderful choice to headline. She’s from Stockton, she’s already making a name for herself nationally, and it’s great to welcome her back to perform at ARC.’
Soundcheck has continued to build momentum throughout 2026, with previous editions showcasing artists including George Bailey, Nice Guy, Alex Lyons, Jake Diaz and Melanie Baker.
The series forms part of our wider commitment to supporting original live music and creating meaningful opportunities for emerging performers, while encouraging audiences of all ages to discover the talent developing on their doorstep.
Soundcheck: Sarah Johnsone plus support takes place at on Thur 26 Nov, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 in advance or £12 on the day, including booking fees. Click here to buy tickets now.