Twinfest 2025 — Northampton Goes Global

From Thursday 24th June to Sunday 27th June, I was living and breathing Twinfest — Northampton’s annual celebration of music that brings together bands from our town and our twin towns: Marburg, Germany, and Poitiers, France. This year’s guests included France’s dreamy psychedelic outfit La Rivière Nonchalante and Germany’s high-octane rockers Supercobra.

La Rivière Nonchalante

Normally a seven-piece, La Rivière Nonchalante came to Northampton with just their drummer and bassist. Even with only two members, they brought that hazy, hypnotic psychedelic sound they’re known for. They shone best in intimate spaces like Roadmender’s Back Room, where their warm, swirling grooves could wrap around the audience. Their bigger-stage slot at The Black Prince felt a bit bare without the full lineup, so I’ll hold off on a full verdict — they were definitely at a disadvantage without their whole crew.

Supercobra

I caught Supercobra at three different venues — Roadmender, V and B, and The Black Prince — and every time, they came out swinging. A three-piece that straddles hard rock and metal, they hit you with heavy, sludgy riffs that make your chest rattle. These guys thrive on big stages, feeding off the crowd’s energy. Even when their guitarist snapped a string mid-set on Sunday, they turned the delay into anticipation, then blasted out their most high-energy performance of the festival.

10fall

Northampton locals 10fall are a five-piece indie/garage rock band made up of:

• Noah Walsh – rhythm guitar

• Josh Hamilton – lead guitar

• Dylan Betts – bass

• Tom Elliott – drums

• Marco Graziano – vocals

Think late-90s/early-2000s indie with a raw, modern twist. They played an all-original set on Sunday, incorporating some brand-new tracks that nobody had heard before. I caught up with them the Wednesday after Twinfest for a chat, and honestly — keep an eye on these lads. They’ve got the energy, the sound, and the attitude to blow up.

Twinfest isn’t just about the bands — it’s about the people. I met Walter, an American who had driven over five hours to get here, as part of his UK tour of gigs. And beyond the headliners, there were loads of other acts worth checking out: Beings, Sleepwalk, and Fleisch all left their mark.

Four days of music, beer, and a melting pot of cultures — Twinfest is proof that Northampton knows how to throw a party. Same time next year? Absolutely.

Special Thanks
Massive shoutout to Eddie, one of our amazing young leaders, for throwing themselves into Twinfest 2021 — catching bands from Northampton to Marburg to Poitiers, interviewing 10fall, and putting together this killer review. Your energy and passion for live music shine through every word.