THE FRONT ROW

Hull has long been a city steeped in history and culture, but in recent years, it’s also been carving out a reputation as a hub for rising indie music. At the heart of this movement is the Larkin Out Festival, now preparing for its second year at the iconic New Adelphi Club. Created by M.A Promotions and driven by the passion of promoter Ellis Moore, the festival promises a day packed with stellar performances and unforgettable moments. To get an inside look, we spoke to Ellis Moore and one of the festival’s rising stars, Pablo Carrizo, about their inspirations, challenges, and hopes for Larkin Out.

For Ellis Moore, the inspiration to create Larkin Out Festival stemmed from his admiration for all-dayers organized by Gary Stillyards of Westview Live in Scunthorpe. “Gary’s events showed me how great these days could be,” Ellis explained. “I always wanted to do something similar but didn’t have the confidence to take the risk. After chatting with my wife and getting advice from Gary, who’s become a good friend, I decided to go for it.”

Hull was the natural choice for the festival’s home. “It’s my hometown, and we’re often overlooked by upcoming bands for tours,” Ellis said. “Events like this can change that.” Choosing the line-up was an intuitive process for him. “Every artist I’ve booked, I’ve seen live, and they’re all amazing. The Rosadocs were a no-brainer as headliners after everything they achieved in 2024.”

Ellis acknowledges the challenges of organizing such an event. Last year, the festival spanned two days, which proved ambitious. “It was a success, but I was naive to think I could pull off two days,” he admitted. This year’s one-day format promises to deliver a packed lineup without overextending resources.

The choice of venue, The New Adelphi Club, was deliberate. “It’s the most iconic venue in Hull,” Ellis enthused. “With a history of hosting legends like Oasis, The Stone Roses, and Green Day, it’s an honor to hold Larkin Out there. There’s always that feeling you could be seeing the next big band.”

As for the future, Ellis is optimistic. “We’re almost sold out this year, which shows there’s demand for rising artists. The dream is to make this an outdoor, all-weekend festival one day.”

One of the festival’s standout acts this year is Hull’s own Pablo Carrizo. The 18-year-old singer-songwriter has been making waves with his upbeat acoustic sound, drawing inspiration from Gerry Cinnamon, Oasis, and Sam Fender. His debut single, “Summerhouse,” captures the carefree spirit of youth. “It’s about being young and daft,” Pablo explained. “A mate suggested I write about our hangouts in his summerhouse, and somehow it became my debut single.”

Pablo’s journey began in local pubs with just a guitar and loop pedal. Over two years, his confidence has grown alongside his audience, culminating in a sold-out headline show at The New Adelphi Club. “Getting 200 people singing my tunes back to me was surreal,” he recalled.

Supporting bands like The Rosadocs has been another career highlight. “I’ve supported them four times now, and they’ve been a huge help,” Pablo said. “Myles from the band even produced my debut single.”

When it comes to songwriting, Pablo’s process is deeply personal. “I write about things I’m passionate about, whether good or bad,” he shared. His favorite song to perform, “Outside,” is a heartfelt dedication to his family and friends. “It’s so different from my other songs and really personal.”

Pablo’s journey began in local pubs with just a guitar and loop pedal. Over two years, his confidence has grown alongside his audience, culminating in a sold-out headline show at The New Adelphi Club. “Getting 200 people singing my tunes back to me was surreal,” he recalled.

Supporting bands like The Rosadocs has been another career highlight. “I’ve supported them four times now, and they’ve been a huge help,” Pablo said. “Myles from the band even produced my debut single.”

When it comes to songwriting, Pablo’s process is deeply personal. “I write about things I’m passionate about, whether good or bad,” he shared. His favorite song to perform, “Outside,” is a heartfelt dedication to his family and friends. “It’s so different from my other songs and really personal.”

With its stellar lineup and community spirit, Larkin Out Festival is set to make waves in Hull and beyond.