The former Manor Quay at Charles Street is undergoing a radical revamp in preparation for a relaunch in time for Freshers' Week next month.

Under the new name of Campus, the student club, which has been closed for the last two years, is being modelled as the city's first American-style "frat house".

And students and Wearsiders are in for a musical extravaganza as the club has already managed to secure some big bands to play at the venue.
For the opening night on September 26, The Elements will be taking the venue by storm.

Fronted by Andy Bennett, of popular nineties band Ocean Colour Scene, The Elements will be playing at Campus ahead of the release of their debut album on September 29.

They will also be supported by homegrown bands Hungover Stuntmen, who are also graduates from the uni, Little Comets and The Flytes.

This event will only be open to students, but Campus bosses have said they will open their doors to Wearsiders whenever they have bands playing.

Richard Hodson, band adviser at the venue, said: "We will have a lot of live music at Campus, but we will also be catering for clubbers and are planning on running a club night after the bands have finished playing at about 11pm.

"For the launch night we wanted to get Hungover Stuntmen because Iain Anderson, Craig Oxberry and Stu Ridley are all BA Music graduates at Sunderland university so we thought it would be nice to get them in.

"Getting The Element just before they release their album is also a massive coup for us."

As well as a load of other big names that are being kept under tight wraps for the moment, Campus will play host to Underground Heroes on October 29.

Fresh from performing at Ibiza Rocks this summer and starring on the Lily Allen Show, Underground Heroes are set for big things.

For more information on Campus, log on to www.clubcampus.co.uk.