24th October 2026
It’s indisputable that This Feeling has been the beating heart of the UK’s underground indie scene for the last 20 years. It’s a solid community that’s been driven by a steadfast dedication to grassroots bands and venues and has acted as the frontline champion for them.
To celebrate two decades of the undeniable anthems that they’ve helped shape, they appropriately held their birthday bash at 229 on Great Portland Street for a milestone anniversary.
Hosted by Radio X’s John Kennedy, the evening showcased exactly what This Feeling does best by presenting a line up of raw, uncompromising new talent and fostering a vibrant community where artists and fans come together.
The live bill certainly lived up to expectations, with rising talents Long Island and Fitzroy Holt taking to the stage with the kind of hungry, ferocious energy that an intimate venue demands.
Bringing the night to a thunderous close, recent rock juggernauts The Slates delivered their trademark hard-hitting sound, blending the rebellious edge of Rage Against the Machine with the unmistakable swagger of The Stone Roses.
Between the live sets, stellar DJ selections from the likes of The Clause, Katie Owen, Louise Schofield, and Soul Boy kept the momentum soaring, spinning classic indie floor-fillers late into the early hours.
The evening wasn’t without surprises. Sergio Pizzorno, iconic lead singer of Kasabian, heavy advocate and patron on This Feeling. Expressed his heart felt admiration for the institute as well as its curator and close friend of Sergio’s, Mickey Johns. Sergio described This Feeling’s creator as his “f******g brother and I love him” before proceeding to serene and ecstatic audience with mid-noughties iconic indie banger “L.S.F”
The Clause, initially billed only as a DJ set, performed a stunning, stripped back rendition of Oasis “Live Forever”. A perfect full circle moment, the band rounded off an event that has pioneered grassroots over generations, by covering a timeless melody that sits firmly atop the grassroots throne.
229’s compact atmosphere was the ideal setting for such a milestone event. This Feeling had discovered the tip of the iceberg amid the swirling undercurrent of unsigned talent at their inception and now two decades on, have clearly dug right in.
Artist setlists
Long Island: – All Or Nothing / Sweet Song / Not This Time / Happier / Want It More / I Like It
Fitzroy Holt: -Said and done / Tryna Find Him / Last bastard / Kelly / Medicine
The Slates: – Stand Up / Jolt / Cane On’t Wrist / Yis / What Have you done? / Shitty Arse / Hot Wings
Review by Luke Stanley and all photography by Charlene Guidera for THE SONGBIRD HQ