A Stone’s Throw Festival is more than just a date on the music calendar; for many, it’s the undisputed highlight of the North East’s cultural year. The quality of the event and the sheer joy it delivers are so reliable that I, like many others, make a point of securing an ‘early bird’ ticket the instant they drop – often months ahead of the official line-up announcement. This pre-emptive commitment speaks volumes about the festival’s inherent quality and the profound trust the audience places in its visionary founder.
That visionary is Ant Thompson, the driving and dynamic force behind Notion Live, a promotions company that is now a central pillar of the region’s grassroots music ecosystem. Ant isn’t just the founder of the festival; he is its meticulous curator, hand-selecting every element, from the diverse artists who grace its multiple stages to the unique, infectious atmosphere that defines the day.
On a morning that perfectly mirrored the fresh, invigorating energy of the North East coast – bright, crisp, and bracing – I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ant. We met in the informal, creative hub of The Loading Bay, a perfect setting to discuss the deep-seated inspiration that prompted him to take the formidable leap of creating a landmark event for the region’s music calendar.
With North Shields currently a strong contender for the coveted UK Town of Culture 2028 title, A Stone’s Throw Festival has evolved from a great day out into a crucial component of the town’s burgeoning cultural resurgence. Ant Thompson is far from the archetype of a corporate promoter in an expensive suit. He is an authentic North East lad through and through, a true believer who possesses the rare ability to look at an under-utilised space – be it a classic working men’s club or a sprawling warehouse – and instinctively declare, “That needs a sound system!”
Thompson’s professional life is fundamentally rooted in the region’s grassroots music scene. His journey began in his mid-teens – around 14 or 15 – as a member of local bands. Even then, he wasn’t just content to play; he was the member with the inherent drive to “organise things and push the needle forward.” His first attempt at launching a business, at the age of just 17 or 18, imparted vital, if hard-won, lessons. He subsequently returned to formal education, graduating in 2018 with a first-class degree in music. After gaining essential experience working with established, larger regional promoters, he officially launched Notion Live Events in 2021. This independent promotion company has since become a powerhouse, now delivering an astonishing 100+ shows annually, operating firmly on a ‘grassroots-first’ mentality that prioritises local talent and authentic venues.
The kernel of the idea for A Stone’s Throw itself was sown during the stillness of the COVID-19 pandemic. A simple walk along the stunning North Tyneside coastline sparked the epiphany. Thompson was struck by the abundance of “unique, underutilised spaces” scattered across North Shields. “I was reminded how many amazing venues there are that people might not be aware of,” he reflected. “That paired with how idyllic the area is, we thought it made perfect sense to give it a go!” His ingenious innovation was to create a “coastal music trail” – a concept that transforms local pubs, clubs, and cultural buildings into high-voltage, discovery-focused stages for a single day. The inevitable logistical challenge of linking these disparate venues is ingeniously solved by the dedicated AST Bus service, a feature Thompson credits with turning the unique geography of North Shields into a distinct asset rather than a limiting hurdle. Furthermore, his commitment extends beyond logistics; Ant is vocally critical of the music industry’s tendency to be “walled-off” to working-class artists, using his powerful platform to provide a vital lifeline and opportunity for emerging, regional talent.
Thompson clearly articulates his broader mission: to strengthen the local music infrastructure through the three core pillars of discovery, community, and infrastructure. The driving ambition behind A Stone’s Throw transcends the goals of a typical music event; it is fundamentally about elevating North Shields itself and firmly establishing it as a genuine recognised musical hotbed. Thompson’s motivation is profoundly rooted in shining a spotlight on the unique culture and heritage of his local area.
The festival stands as a crucial, tangible component of North Shields’ ambitious bid for the Town of Culture 2028. Thompson is a firm and passionate believer in the town’s potential, describing it as “a cutting edge little town punching way above its weight.” A Stone’s Throw has already served successfully as a powerful proof of concept, notably being a central, celebrated event during the North Shields 800-year anniversary celebrations in 2025.
Now in its 4th year there is a deep, inherent connection between the festival and the town it now calls home. The town is built on community and creativity so it feels right that the festival is becoming an event that doesn’t just happen in North Shields but belongs to it. But, ultimately, A Stone’s Throw acts as a compelling proof of concept for the cultural future of the entire region.
For festival-goers keen to dive into the discovery element that is so central to the festival’s curation philosophy, Ant Thompson offers a simple, accessible tip: “I think people should just dive into the acts and stick the playlist on whilst you’re doing your spring clean!”
This year’s A Stone’s Throw Festival takes place on Saturday 23 May 2026
Details and tickets here:
https://www.astonesthrowfestival.co.uk
Playlists:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1UCDsOhVVDa16LmnAk1fq7wRdgXlo8ys&si=9bFCebFMi52_mnf3
