• Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

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MELANIE C SET TO SPICE UP HARDWICK LIVE…

FORMER Spice Girls star Melanie C will be bringing her unique sound to County Durham this summer as part of the line up for Hardwick Live.

The singer will take to the stage on Sunday 19 August during the second day of the region’s largest music festival at Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield.

Melanie C shot to fame during the 1990s as one fifth of the world’s most successful girl group of all time.

Known back then as ‘Sporty Spice’,  she enjoyed worldwide fame as the band sold 80 million records and had nine UK number one hits.

She went on to become the most successful solo artist from the band, with seven successful albums and a string of hits.

Melanie’s solo career began in 1998 when, although still part of the Spice Girls, she duetted with Canadian rocker Bryan Adams on the worldwide hit When You’re Gone.

She released her debut album, Northern Star, a year later which produced four top five singles including I Turn to You, Goin Down and Never Be the Same Again, a duet with Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopez.

Since then she has sold more than 20million solo records, and is the only female to have topped the charts as a solo artist, part of a duo, quartet and quintet.

John Adamson, owner of Ramside Estates which runs Hardwick Live, is delighted to have secured the former Spice Girl.

“Melanie C is one biggest names in pop and someone everyone is familiar with, thanks to her success as a solo artist and as part of the most famous girl band of all time,” he said.

“The fact that we are able to attract such well respected, high profile performers is a testament to how much Hardwick Live has grown as an event over the years and everyone involved is looking forward to what we believe will be our biggest and best festival to date.”

Concert-goers at this year will be able to enjoy a string of her most popular hits, as she joins several other international stars on Sunday’s programme.

Happy Mondays, Shed Seven, Echo & the Bunnymen, Feeder, Public Image Ltd and Heather Small will all be performing throughout the day, supported by bands such as The Cuban Brothers, New York Brass Band and rising local stars Smoove & Turrell.

Sunday’s show will follow Saturday’s performances by Kaiser Chiefs, Vintage Trouble, Ash, Jake Shears, Lucy Spraggan and a host of support acts.

Further entertainment will come from top DJs like Brandon Block, Danny Rampling, Graeme Park and Greg Wilson, and there will also be demonstrations from leading chefs along with entertainment for children.

Each year, the event pledges to help worthwhile local causes, and this year it will support County Durham charities Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust and Angel Trust.

Tickets for Hardwick Live start from £8 for children aged three to 11, £16 for 12-16-year-olds and £49 for adults each day. Weekend tickets are also available.

To buy tickets visit: www.tickets.hardwicklive.co.uk and more information on the event is available at the official websitewww.hardwicklive.co.uk