Exciting news on Sunderland's Summer Streets festival

This year’s Summer Streets will be held on Saturday, July 14, but it will move from its traditional home of Thompson Park, Southwick, to Seaburn Recreation Park.

And fans will get to see live entertainment as the spectacular sight of the Parade of Sail happens off the coastline.

Ross Millard, from both The Futureheads and Frankie and the Heartstrings is once again organising the event which is now in its fifth year,

He said: “There will be the usual eclectic blend of touring artists, community groups and emerging local performers, but to mark the visit of the Tall Ships, as a one-off we’re moving this year’s event to Seaburn.”

Summer Streets, he said, was always “an inclusive, family-friendly event and there will be lots happening – all centred on music. The line-up will be revealed shortly, but it will be the usual healthy mix of musical styles and genres. The programme will start at noon and go on until 8.30pm.”

Ross added: “I’ve been working with several local community groups and organisations to help put this year’s Summer Streets together. These include Southwick Neighbourhood Youth Project, Southwick REACH and Sunderland Carers’ Centre as well as local schools and artists.”

Lyn Kileen, from Southwick REACH, said: “We have incorporated a Seaburn summer holiday themed programme where there will be performances, speakers, a memory wall and a film screening all themed around Southwick to Seaburn summer holidays.

“We are delighted to be bringing this unique immersive experience to Summer Streets and look forward to working with Ross to bring our plans to fruition.”

Shuttle buses from Southwick to Seaburn Recreation Park, will be in operation, as well as the Tall Ships’ park and ride service. There will be the usual range of food and drink vendors at the event.

Previous Summer Streets festivals have attracted crowds of up to 8,000 and been headlined by acts such as Field Music and the Royal Northern Sinfonia. Last year’s festival featured Frankie and the Heartstrings.

This year’s event is part of the wider cultural programme organised for the visit of the Tall Ships which is being funded by National Lottery through Arts Council England and delivered by Sunderland Culture.

Victoria French, Head of Events for Sunderland City Council, said: “This is a fantastic addition to the entertainment programme for Saturday, July 14. The location will be stunning, with the backdrop of the coastline and Tall Ships passing in their Parade of Sail. I’m sure this will be a great event and a memorable addition to the history of Summer Streets.”