New acts announced for Sunderland's Lamplight festival headlined by Kaiser Chiefs

Tide Lines have been added to the Lamplight Festival

Joining previously announced headline acts Kaiser Chiefs, Deacon Blue plus KT Tunstall, Roddy Woomble and Sunderland’s very own Frankie and The Heartstrings will be breakthrough artists Zuzu, Big Society and Tide Lines.

Ricky Wilson, front man with headliners Kaiser Chiefs says: “We’re really looking forward to playing to the Sunderland crowd at the very first Lamplight festival next year. It’s going to be a blast. We’ll be joined by some very talented friends, Zuzu, Big Society and of course Sunderland’s local lads Frankie and the Heartstrings.”

Liverpool’s Zuzu is really making waves with her indie pop anthems and earlier this year she released her EP, How it Feels.

She said: "I'm so excited to play Lamplight Festival next year. The crowds in the North East have always been so warm whenever I’ve played shows in the area. I can’t wait to explore the city of Sunderland more."

Joining Zuzu on the Saturday main stage are indie rock band Big Society. The quartet hailing from Manchester are no strangers to a main stage having supported Bob Dylan and Neil Young in Hyde Park in 2019.

Adding to an already exciting Scottish main stage takeover on Sunday are Tide Lines.

Hailing from the Highlands, Islands and Glasgow, Tide Lines are rediscovering the best of the Highlands Gaelic folk tradition but mixing it up with contemporary sounds for a new generation of music fans.

The band has gone from strength to strength since first emerging in the summer of 2016. Their second album, Eye of the Storm reached No12 on the UK album charts in May and knocked off Scotland’s favourite Gerry Cinnamon by debuting at No1 on the Scottish charts.

Robert Robertson said: “All four of us in Tide Lines are really excited for our first trip to Sunderland to play at Lamplight festival next Summer. Playing live next year is going to be such an amazing feeling once it’s safe to get back out on the road - and the brilliant line up makes Lamplight Festival one of the gigs we’re most looking forward to playing.”

As part of the event there will also be a fringe festival taking place over the weekend that will see collaboration with Sunderland’s creatives and producers, including local artists, venues and caterers. More information on the fringe festival will be announced in the coming weeks.

Coun John Kelly, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Culture at Sunderland City Council, added: “It’s great to be able to announce some good news for our vibrant city with some fantastic new acts alongside the very exciting headliners already planned. We look forward to bringing this momentous event to Sunderland next summer as well as involving some fantastic local talent in the fringe events yet to be announced.”

Tickets are on sale now and are £39.50 for Saturday and £35.00 for Sunday. Under 5s are free, children aged 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Visit www.lamplightfestival.com for tickets and more information.

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