A NIGHT of star-powered nostalgia has been unveiled at a County Durham hotel, with the revelation of the big names taking to the stage at a new festival.
The plans for the two day Opulence event in the grounds of Lumley Castle were recently announced, with the main performers initially kept under wraps.
But now – ahead of tickets going on sale on Thursday (26 February) – organisers have revealed that Live at Lumley Castle will be headlined by Marti Pellow and Gabrielle.
The former Wet Wet Wet frontman has a string of hits to his name, along with starring in a range of musicals in both London’s West End and on Broadway.
Songs like Love Is All Around – which was also used on the soundtrack of hit movie, Four Weddings and a Funeral- Sweet Surrender and Wishing I was Lucky helped make Wet Wet Wet one of the biggest bands of the 90s.
Also taking to the stage at the castle is multi award-winning British singer/songwriter Gabrielle, whose many hits include the iconic Dreams, Rise and Out of Reach.
The singer – who has two BRITs, an Ivor Novello awards and two MOBO awards to her name – has had every one of her albums make it into the top 10, along with performing alongside everyone from Adele to Stormzy.
The pair will be supported at the event – on 4 September – by a range of North East-favourites including Smoove and Turrell, Soulutions and Newcastle-based Kate Bond.
Tickets for Live at Lumley Castle start from £55, with a number of special packages also available and are available to over 18s only.
VIP tickets – with prices from £85 – include access to the VIP area next to the main stage – with uninterrupted views of the stage – a dedicated premium bar, fast track entry and premium toilets.
There are also just 100 VVIP tickets available at a cost of £160 per person, which are only available on a first come, first served basis by registering on the event website.
VVIPs will have their own private tables under cover and on a raised area overlooking the stage.
The package includes waiter service, canapes and nibbles on the table, premium toilets and access to the VIP area.
To get access to all packages ahead of general ticket release, people need to register at www.opulence-events.com .
Day two of Opulence – on 5 September – will feature a range of House music greats, with the full line up announced next week.
The festival has been created by ATA Events, which has more than 20 years of experience in staging major music events.
ATA Events’ operations manager, Daz Flatman, said the interest in Opulence has been huge – even before the line-up was revealed.
“We’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the amount of interest in Opulence since we announced it,” he said.
“And now with the news of who is performing we are confident we will have a sell-out event.
“An iconic backdrop like Lumley Castle needs iconic performers and so who better than both Marti Pellow and Gabrielle, supported by some of the region’s most loved musicians.”