MANIC STREET PREACHERS, James, The Zutons, Lisa Stansfield and Ziggy Marley are just a few of the top stars heading to County Durham this weekend.
From 17 to 18 August, Sedgefield’s Hardwick Hall Hotel will be home to a whole host of talented musicians and entertainers when Hardwick Live Festival returns.
And with five stages of music, children’s entertainment, a comedy line-up and a whole host of street food and drinks on offer, festival-goers will be spoilt for choice when it comes to how to spend the weekend.
Manic Street Preachers will headline the main stage on the opening day, along with performances from The Zutons, Stiff Little Fingers, Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge, The Sherlocks, The Lake Poets, James Walsh and Feva.
The same day, the Discovery Stage will welcome Catherine McGrath, The Joy Formidable, Sports Team, Zuzu, Bloxx, Baltic, Jarpsy, Rothwell and Mano McLaughlin.
Over at the Coachhouse Courtyard, the first day at the dance arena will be hosted by elite club brand Glitterbox, with sets from top DJs Joey Negro, Horse Meat Disco, The Shapeshifters and Melvo Baptiste
Or festival-goers heading to The Dome can enjoy DJ sets from Denney, Mark Jenkyns, Tony Hutchinson, Steve Butler, Simon Gibb and Pete Wharrier.
And the new BBC Tees Introducing Stage will present the a line-up of the region’s rising stars, with music from Plaza, The Yada Yada Yadas, Harri Endersby, Nel Unlit and Swears.
Then, on Sunday, crowds at the main stage will enjoy a headline performance from James, along with Lisa Stansfield, Ziggy Marley, Billy Bragg, A Certain Ratio, Tim Burgess, Cattle & Cane and Just So.
Those heading to the Discovery Stage on the second day will see The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club, Lancashire Hot Pots, Hyde Park Brass Band, Only the Poets, Saint Agnes, Rivet City, Reflekter, Roe and The Voluntears.
Retro will take over at the Coachhouse Courtyard’s dance arena, with Jeremy Healy, Brandon Block, Paul Taylor, Jon Dasilva, Allister Whitehead and Chris Bungoni taking to the decks.
Music fans at The Dome will enjoy sets from Elliot Adamson, Michael Johnson, Tony Hutchinson, Scott Bradford and Pete Wharrier.
And there will be five more up-and-coming artists performing on the BBC Tees Introducing Stage, with George Boomsma, Llovers, Faithful Johannes, Eve Conway and Cherry Head, Cherry Heart.
Along with a huge music line-up, there will also be comedy at The Dome across the two days, a wide range of activities at the children’s area and a whole host of roaming entertainment around the site.
John Adamson, who owns Hardwick Hall Hotel, is confident that the event ticks all the boxes.
“The festival grows in size every year and we are always looking for ways to add even more to the overall experience,” said John.
“This year we have five stages, featuring all kinds of artists and entertainment, so there is a wide choice for festival-goers of all ages and interests to choose from.
“The whole team is working incredibly hard to make sure that everything is ready for the weekend and we can’t wait to welcome everyone onto the grounds to make the most of everything on offer.”
Tickets for this year’s Hardwick Live Festival are currently on sale at £55 for one day or £99 for both days. Concession tickets are available for children and 13-17-year-olds.
There are still limited camping and glamping options available for those who would like to immerse themselves in the full festival experience.
For more information or to book tickets, visit www.hardwicklive.co.uk