Summer Streets festival organisers unveil biggest line-up yet '“ with international theme to tie-in with Tall Ships Races in Sunderland

Bands from as far away as Norway, New Orleans, and Sweden are lined up for one of the North East’s leading music festivals.

And this year, Summer Streets has unveiled its biggest line up yet as it joins forces with the Tall Ships Races Sunderland 2018.

As start host port for the international sailing event, the city will welcome 55 sailing vessels and their crews along with an estimated 1.5m visitors, for four days of theatre, circus, music and dance.

And Summer Streets – a free annual festival founded five years ago by The Futureheads guitarist and vocalist Ross Millard – is moving from its usual Southwick home to Seaburn Recreation Park to be part of the event.

On Saturday, July 14, stars such as Little Comets and the world famous Royal Northern Sinfonia will be among a packed line up performing across three stages.

The Sinfonia’s chamber orchestra – which was a highlight of the 2015 Summer Streets festival - will be followed by Jarrow-based indie band Little Comets, currently touring their fourth album Worhead.

Also taking to the main stage will be up and coming North East band The Pale White along with festival favourites Smoove & Turrell.

The band, who describe their music as northern funk, have spent most of the year touring and will be showcasing their new album Mount Pleasant, set for release on 29 June.

There will also be sets from punk rock band Martha, from Durham and folk band The Cornshed Sisters, alongside shows from bands as far afield as Norway and New Orleans. The all-female Shake Em Up jazz band will bring traditional Louisiana style jazz to the main stage, while Norwegian indie band Beezewax – who first formed 20 years ago – will perform tracks from their most recent EP, Out of the Window.

Swedish YouTube sensation Gunhild Carling – famous for playing three trumpets at the same time – will be making an appearance with her band.

For younger festival goers there will be a vast range of craft and activity sessions along with singing, songwriting, glockenspiel and recorder workshops, while, for older visitors, Wylam Brewery, Newcastle, will be running a bar throughout the event and there will be food concessions.

Ross said: “The whole aim of Summer Streets was to create a family-orientated, safe, rootsy, colourful, cool music festival celebrating North East talent,

“This is our fifth year and what better way to really amp it up than to bring the festival to the heart of the Tall Ships Races Sunderland 2018 – and in keeping with the international flavour of the races, we’ve added international artists to the mix as well.”

Coun John Kelly, Sunderland City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Communities and Culture, said: “We’re delighted Summer Streets is relocating from its usual venue at Southwick, Sunderland, to be part of The Tall Ships Races Sunderland 2018

“Along with fantastic music and a great family day out, it will be a great place from which to see the ships taking part in the races – and enjoy what is set to be the biggest spectacle the city has ever seen.” Summer Streets Festival will take place from 12pm to 8.30pm on Saturday, July 14, at Seaburn recreation park, Sunderland and entry is free.

The Summer Streets festival is supported by Arts Council England, Sunderland City Council, Sunday for Sammy, the Cultural Spring, Sunderland MAC Trust and Sunderland Music Education group.