Formed in 2006 and named after Kasabian song ‘The Last Trip’ new music champions and gig promoters This Feeling have enjoyed some big firsts in their 20-year history. They’ve secured the first major shows/festival slots for acts who have gone onto much bigger stages, including Blossoms, The Royston Club, The K’s, The Clause, overpass, Rianne Downey and The Lilacs to name a few – while also making live music much more accessible for all, with gigs in 85 towns and cities across the UK, and not just the big cities.
They have also booked almost 1200 performances at the likes of the Isle of Wight, Truck and Y NOT? – in most cases providing the first opportunity for artists to perform on such stages, with 86% of them without as much as a booking agent in place at the time. They’re also responsible for now fully emerged acts such as Red Rum Club, Good Heath Good Wealth and The Kairos’ first overseas appearances at Viva Sounds Festival in Gothenburg where This Feeling have hosted a stage since 2019.
In an industry often effectively closed to those without financial backing, This Feeling has helped over 500 new artists – including Blossoms and Gerry Cinnamon who were both without a label or a plugger at the time – gain their first national radio play with the support of Radio X. They’re also responsible for many acts’ first ever major tour support via relationships with the bigger name headline bands.
Similarly, Sunday Brunch and before that Soccer AM have been regular supporters, providing the only mainstream TV platform to showcase videos or performances from new bands.
That spirit of independence, backing the underdog and rewarding hard work, and building the next generation of essential new bands and artists is embedded in their own ventures and culture.
They provide the communion of a festival with their seaside escape This Feeling By The Sea – an event which has seen The Lottery Winners, The K’s, The Royston Club and The Lilacs (whose debut album just hit #12 in the official charts) all headline a festival for the first time. Meanwhile, This Feeling Records has presented another foundation for the future for the likes of The Cases, The Slates, Spangled, Cruz, Eighty Eight Miles and CUSP.
It also speaks volumes that so many artists who have benefited from their support go on to champion the next wave of This Feeling artists too with bands like The Clause regularly taking TF recommended acts out as support, giving the new wave the opportunity they themselves received from This Feeling.
Now they celebrate what they’ve achieved – and what comes next – with ‘TF 20’, a special one-off event at London’s 229 on October 24th hosted by John Kennedy.
The celebration highlights their impact on the indie and alternative scenes with a stacked line-up full of essential rising bands and DJ from the wider This Feeling family. And of course, a celebration wouldn’t be the same without some surprise very guest performances – be there to find out who….
“Hitting 20 and reading the quotes below makes me very proud. It’s a difficult industry to operate in but we’ve come a long way from a monthly club night in London. And we’ve not changed; there are no deals done, no shortcuts; it’s always about the music, working together, working hard, our love of guitar music, staying true to ourselves, and keeping our ethos and culture strong. Thanks to everyone who’s attended or supported us in any way over the years we couldn’t do any of what we do without your passion and support.” – Mikey Jonns
“The best club in the UK for future rock ‘n’ roll stars.” – Noel Gallagher
“Flying the flag for British guitar music.” – Serge Pizzorno
“If you’re going to see the emergence of a new great band, you’ll see them at This Feeling first.” – Carl Barât
“This Feeling were the first to get us going on the gig circuit and we’ve never looked back. This Feeling is always at the forefront of championing the best up and coming new music, and has the track record to prove it. The support This Feeling give to new and established artists is unparalleled!” – The K’s
“This Feeling were one of the first promoters to get behind us. They gave us opportunities from when we first started, through to headline shows of our own and some of our first festival slots, including a ‘Big In’ performance back in 2021 which gave us some real exposure in the midst of a Covid lockdown.” – The Royston Club
“Huge congratulations to This Feeling on 20 years of incredible music, fantastic events, and amazing leadership in the grassroots sector. In this industry, they say you’re only as good as your last booking. Luckily for This Feeling, their last booking is always something that fans, artists, venues and the whole music community can celebrate.” – Mark Davyd, Music Venue Trust
“This Feeling are the best in the business when it comes to finding new talent and propelling them upwards. It’s a pleasure to support what they do, it’s incredibly important that we support new music and the next generation of headliners here at the Isle of Wight Festival and I’m sure it won’t be long before we have an IOW headliner who has emerged from the TF stage. Happy 20th birthday This Feeling!” – John Giddings, Isle of Wight Festival & Solo Agency
“Y Not has worked with This Feeling for over 10 years and during that time we’ve seen some serious talent cut their teeth on their stage. Via the TF stage these acts become woven into the fabric of Y Not, growing alongside our festival and progressing to our bigger stages, but we never forget where they started. There’s something special about sharing that journey with our audience, and that’s the magic that This Feeling brings to Y Not every year.” – Nathan Harrison, Y NOT? Festival
“For me, This Feeling is all about energy, enthusiasm and joy in music. You can see it at the gigs they put on, the bands they support and the audiences they build, which is why I always pay attention to the music they send me. It’s great to be able to reflect that on the radio.” – John Kennedy, Radio X
“Happy 20th birthday to This Feeling! It’s a community and a platform responsible for the reason so many of your favourite bands exist. The scene as you know it simply wouldn’t exist without their passion and their work. Here’s to the next 20!” – The Clause
“This Feeling are a cornerstone of UK grassroots music and without them we wouldn’t be in the position we’re in. We, alongside many others, are forever in debt to them. From giving us our first festival slot at Y NOT? in 2022 to headlining their stages across all their other festivals to helping us in going to Sweden and New York, they’re truly an incredible and genuine set of people who want nothing but the best for everyone.”– The Slates
“This Feeling have been huge supporters of us since we started our band, giving us opportunities we could’ve only ever dreamed of – from sold-out shows at home, to huge festivals, to playing our first international show! We can’t wait to celebrate with them at their special 20th anniversary show and to work on even more incredible things together!” – Long Island
“20 years of This Feeling? Mad! wouldn’t be where I am without ‘em and neither would half the bands I know tbh!” – Fitzroy Holt
“This Feeling gave me my first DJ set in Cardiff and my first ever festival slot at the Isle of Wight. It gave me the confidence to believe a career in this crazy industry was possible, introduced me to fellow music fanatics and really set me up for life. I’ll always be grateful for what TF gave me and they continue, always, to champion new music and new artists and provide new opportunities, and that’s what makes it so special. Viva This Feeling!” – Katie Owen, DJ and TV presenter
Huge happy 20th birthday to This Feeling! Honestly, I owe them so much they gave me my very first DJ opportunity and let me run around backstage presenting and interviewing at festivals to build my portfolio. Without those moments, I wouldn’t have caught the eye of so many other amazing brands and opportunities to further my presenting career! I’ve had some of my favourite and best memories at This Feeling events. The atmosphere is unmatched, it genuinely feels like one big family, and nobody does it better when it comes to championing and giving real opportunities to upcoming bands. Here’s to 20 more years of incredible tunes and good times!” Louise Schofield, DJ & TV presenter
