HAPPY Mondays are headlining Sunderland's city centre music festival - which is returning next year.

The group that helped define the Manchester music scene with such hits as Step On will close the two day Sunniside Live on Saturday, July 8. 

Former M People singer Heather Small tops the bill on Friday, July 7, when she is expected to perform a mixture of the band’s hits such as Search for the Hero, as well as her solo anthems including Proud.

She said: “I’m really excited about performing at Sunniside LIVE on July 7th 2017, delighted to be making a special stop in Sunderland as part of my 25th Anniversary Tour, celebrating 25 years of the hits of M People."

The event is organised by Helen Davies and Sean Maddison who run both Bar Justice and Gin & Bear it Bar at West Sunniside and is being supported by Sunderland BID and SunFM.

The Northern Echo:

“We are thrilled to confirm the Happy Monday for the Saturday and Heather Small for the Friday,” said Helen.

“Ticket prices have had to increase to book such amazing acts and ensure the future of the festival, but we hope everyone will agree that it’s still great value for money.”

The event, which runs from 4pm until 10pm on the Friday and noon until 10pm on the Saturday.

There will be a number of food stalls, several licenced bars run by Bar Justice and Gin & Bear It bar, bottle and spirits stall and a large VIP area.

“We have taken on board the feedback from last year and there will definitely be more bars and a larger VIP area”, said Sean.

“We have lots more great acts to be announced over the coming weeks so people need to grab the early bird tickets while they last”.

The event capacity is 4,000 on both days and tickets are on sale now at www.sunnsidelive.co.uk.

Early bird tickets are available at a 20 per cent discount, priced £28 for a weekend ticket or £14 for a Friday night ticket and £18 for a Saturday ticket.

Once these tickets are gone, prices will rise to £35 for the weekend or £17.50 for the Friday and £22.50 for the Saturday.

There will also be VIP tickets available, priced from £35 on the early bird offer, which gives VIP access to facilities, an exclusive bar, buffet and seating area.

For details visit www.sunnisidelive.co.uk or contact info@sunnisidelive.co.uk.