Dirty Sunbeams

Shining a light on independent music in the Calder Valley

Landmark All-Dayer For Grassroots Youth Music Collective

The Puzzle in Sowerby Bridge plays host to a full day of live music on Sat 19th July, all organised by a group of local young musicians, technicians and promoters. We take a look at some of the bands on a packed bill.

5th June 2025

The Do-It-Together all-dayer is the first event brought to you by a new Calderdale Youth Music collective. The group of youngsters first came together as part of CultureDale’s Youth Music programme and, specifically, a bootcamp led by local musician Andy Abbott.

The event marks the culmination of a lot of hard work and will showcase a rich pool of creative local talent. Starting at 1pm, playing across two stages, the line-up features nine exciting acts from the Calder Valley and the immediately-surrounding areas.

Headliners are beatboxing loop-meister Testament and rootsy, psych-folkster Leo Brazil, followed by after-dark DJ Adam Statham playing all the best techno and house.

The musical genres on display are going to be varied and far-reaching, taking in electro beats, alt-folk and acoustic indie throughout the day.

Testament is a British writer, rapper, composer and world record breaking beatboxer. As a recording artist his credits include work alongside Grammy winner Corinne Bailey Rae, MOBO winner Soweto Kinch, Mercury Nominee Ty and US Rap legend J-Live.

His CV also includes the critically acclaimed album HOMECUT: No Freedom Without Sacrifice, awards-nominated play Black Men Walking, writing raps for Disney Plus, scripts for NETFLIX and music composition for an award-winning Adidas adverts. In 2024 he was Black Nature Writer-in Residence for the Yorkshire Dales District Park and part the Hot Poets eco-poetry collective.

Turning our attention to the more guitar-based outfits on the bill, there’s quirky indie-folk from Manchester in the shape of The Memory Club, driving indie riffs courtesy of Alloy and introspective folk with James Jackson. Plus, indie-pop live wire, doogle, who will be a familiar name to many, having played a high number of gigs in the Calder Valley – and far beyond – from a very young age. Glow sticks at the ready for that one. The mighty power-pop-punk of Atlas, who recently played The Trades Club, will also be there, along with Hipperholme shoegaze duo Preskooler.

The event is free entry with donations for bands gratefully accepted. Live music finished in time for trains back to Leeds and Manchester. Supported by Culturedale’s Calderdale Year of Culture.