SOME OF the region’s top talents will be shining a light on Sunniside as part of a new, free festival.
Visitors at Sunniside Garden, Sunderland, will be able to enjoy an afternoon of free entertainment thanks to the first ever Sunniside Live Festival on July 11.
The new event, organised by Sunderland’s Business Improvement District and Bar Justice at West Sunniside, is designed to attract visitors and showcase what the area has to offer.
Among the performers at the event is headliner, Sunderland-based indie rock band, Frankie & The Heartstrings with other well-known talents such as Joe Harriett, the soul and Motown legend, and Olivia Lawson, finalist from hit BBC One show The Voice, also taking to the stage.
Hyde & Beast – which is made up of Dave Hyde, from the Futureheads, and Neil Bassett, from The Golden Virgins – will also be joining the star-studded line up, along with other regional talents including Yellowstone, The Source Unplugged and DJ Craig Hope.
“Sunniside is beautiful part of the city with award winning features and a really unique identity. Sunderland BID is delighted to be working with businesses to stimulate its renaissance and make it a truly vibrant quarter of the city” said Ken Dunbar, Chief Executive of Sunderland BID.
“There’s so much for families, groups of friends and couples to do in Sunderland and the festival will really help us to draw attention to that.
“The Sunniside Live festival looks like it will be a huge success. It will not only attract people to the area, but also give the regions’ up and coming performers a great platform to showcase their talent.”
The event, which will run from 12pm until 10pm, will also offer visitors the chance to browse a number of food stalls and enjoy a pop-up café by The Place Café. There will also be a bar run by Bar Justice, a retro Pimm’s van and cocktail store.
“It’s great to be able to organise something that will bring people to the area who otherwise may not have thought to visit,” said Helen Davies, owner of Bar Justice.
“Organising the event has been a lot of hard work, but it looks like it’s going to be a great day out for everybody.
“We’re so grateful to Sunderland’s Business Improvement District for helping us out, Ken and the team have been great and it wouldn’t have been possible without them.”
During the run up to the festival, Bar Justice will be holding a ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition. The winner will open the festival and perform alongside some of the music festival’s big names.
Free wristbands to the event are available from http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sunniside-live-festival-2015-tickets-16939840519 or by visiting Bar Justice.
The event is sponsored by a number of notable businesses including headline sponsor –Sunderland’s Business Improvement District – Experience It Here!, Heineken, O’Brien Demolition, Sun FM, Bar Justice, Slayco, Kitchens Komplete, Hackett Property, City Taxis, Michael Hodgson, Paul Burgess Graphic Design and Smirnoff.
For more information about the event visit www.facebook.com/sunnisidelive or contact Bar Justice on 0191 565 2050.