A NEW live event is about to hit the music scene this summer as the first ever Lamplight Festival is staged in August.
Based in Sunderland’s Mowbray Park, the family-friendly event will see its headline stage welcome big-name acts from a range of musical genres.
Event organisers Sunderland City Council said they are thrilled to announce UK indie giants Kaiser Chiefs as Saturday’s headliners with Sunderland’s own Frankie and the Heartstrings confirmed as special guests.
Kaiser Chiefs need little introduction, led by their charismatic frontman Ricky Wilson, they have become one of the UK’s most prolific guitar bands since forming in Leeds at the turn of the century.
The band are set to belt out their anthemic indie hits which include Oh My God, I Predict A Riot, Everyday I Love You Less And Less, Ruby and Never Miss A Beat.
Speaking about the band’s forthcoming appearance at Lamplight Festival, Wilson, said: “It’s always great to be part of a new festival and we can’t wait to once again play alongside Frankie and the Heartstrings as well as other great acts to headline the Saturday stage in Sunderland.”
Glasgow rock-pop legends Deacon Blue are set to headline the Sunday stage promising to perform a range of hits from their illustrious back catalogue.
With a career boasting seven million album sales, two number one albums and 14 hit singles, the band are best known for hits such as Real Gone Kid and Dignity and they will make a welcome addition to the Lamplight Festival launch line-up.
Their new album, City of Love is set for release next month.
Other artists on the bill for Sunday include the much-loved UK singer-songwriter KT Tunstall and Roddy Woomble, the frontman and chief songsmith of famous Scottish rock outfit, Idlewild.
More venues, artists and activities are still to be announced.
Dave Harper, member of Frankie and the Heartstrings, and manager of Sunderland’s music hub Pop Recs, which will be heavily involved in fringe activities around Lamplight Festival, said: “Playing Lamplight Festival is exciting for Frankie and the Heartstrings and Pop Recs as it represents another flag in the sand.
"Something we are never supposed to do, yet here we are. But that’s the Sunderland way.
“You tell us we can’t have a cake and we’ll build a bakery.
"Sunderland has been through a testing time and may well have to deal with further adversity but now, more than ever, we need entertainment and a reason to celebrate our heritage, our diversity and our resilience.
“With Pop Recs involved in developing a huge new project on the high street and Frankie and the Heartstrings playing this amazing festival in the heart of our city we feel like we can start to colour the city again. Sunderland deserves to be happy.”
The festival will take place on Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9.
Children under five go free.
Youngsters 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday, February 14, and can be bought at seetickets.com
For more information visit lamplightfestival.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here