How Sunderland is set to shine this summer as it lives up to Music City status
We’re barely half way through June and Sunderland is already having a big summer of live music.
This week’s fantastical Take That concert, which transported audiences to a fire-breathing carnival land of giant elephants, dancing clouds and pop idols on unicycles came hot on the heels of Radio 1’s Big Weekend which saw the city shine on the national stage.
With arguably more live music gigs and events this summer than ever before, the council are dubbing the packed programme as One Big Summer.
But what else is in store? Here’s a rundown of just some of what’s happening to make this summer one to remember.
Global Summit Week
The eyes of the music world will be on the city from June 18–20 when it becomes the first UK city to host the global Music Cities Network (MCN) Summer Summit, which will shape the future of music ecosystems and city-level cultural policy.
It also features a week of wraparound events across the city, with member cities from the global Music Cities Network coming together to engage with Sunderland’s cultural highlights.
Grassroots Music
Sunderland has solid grassroots music foundations thanks to the likes of The Bunker and Independent.
This summer, there’s a wave of local live music to enjoy, including Park Live, which takes places this Saturday, June 13 from 12pm to 6pm, bringing together a host of local musicians and community organisations - and it’s free.
Also in June, Unity in the Community returns on Sunday, June 21 with a day of music, culture and community spirit at Sunderland Minster.
As part of Global Summit Week, MCN Live: Sunderland, will see an evening of live music featuring three local artists as well as three international artists at Independent on Friday, June 19.
Summer Streets
Grassroots community festival Summer Streets is returning for its 12th year on July 4 and 5 with two days of live music, arts, community and more in Cliffe Park, Seaburn. And, again, it’s free.
Performance highlights include: Martin McAloon, of Prefab Sprout, The Lindisfarne Story Band featuring Billy Mitchell and Ray Laidlaw, Royal Northern Sinfonia, BBC 6Music regulars Pit Pony, Cortney Dixon and many more.
Keel Square
A host of genres will be covered in back-to-back weekend gigs in Keel Square, from August 21 to August 31.
The gigs, which are ticketed, are: Love The 90s, GirlyPop, The Bootleg Beatles, Armand Van Helden, Road to Nashville and K POP Live.
Summer Parties Series
The Parade Ground at the back of the Fire Station returns with its Summer Party Season throughout the summer, with performances including Mickey Callisto, Pale Waves, Kula Shaker, John Grant & Richard Hawley, Lottery Winners and Maxïmo Park.
Live at Cliffe Park
Cliffe Park will be back in the spotlight on Thursday, August 13, Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15 when it hosts a weekend of great live music from The Waterboys, Embrace and Ocean Colour Scene.