THERE’S STILL time to grab tickets for a North East festival with some world-famous guests this summer.
Elite club brands Glitterbox and Retro are heading to Hardwick Live Festival, at Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, County Durham, from 17 to 18 August.
And extravagant performers, flamboyant production and top DJs will all be under one roof at the dance arena, which will transform the hotel’s Coachhouse Courtyard over the weekend.
Glitterbox started in Ibiza in 2014 and has gone on to sell out club nights around the world with headline sets from some of the industry’s most popular DJs.
The brand will host the dance arena from noon until 11pm on Saturday and fans can enjoy a set from headliner Joey Negro, known for his famous Remixed With Love compilations and for producing songs with countless stars including Roxy Music, Grace Jones, Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey.
Horse Meat Disco, who are currently working on new music with Glitterbox, will also take to the decks, with a set “rooted in hedonism, rhythm, freedom and emotion” that has made them a key fixture at festivals including Glastonbury and Festival No.6.
Completing the line-up on Saturday is The Shapeshifters, best known for the single Lola’s Theme, as well as other hits including When Love Breaks Down and Try My Love (On For Size), and Melvo Baptiste – who is famed for his high energy DJ sets.
Then, on Sunday Retro will take over the space, having hosted countless top DJs since its inception in 1989 and going on to become a sell-out club night, attracting thousands of music fans around the UK and the Balearic Islands.
Headlining for Retro is Jeremy Healy, who was worked with artists including Beyonce, Katy Perry and Usher and has played at events for some of the biggest club brands in the world.
Retro’s creator, Paul Taylor will also perform, along with Jon DaSilva, the former resident DJ at Manchester’s famous club The Hacienda, who is often credited as being one of the most influential figures of the early UK house scene.
And music fans can enjoy sets from Allister Whitehead, widely regarded as one of the country’s most prolific house DJs, and Chris Bungoni, who has played at venues across the UK.
John Adamson, who owns Hardwick Hall Hotel, believes the dance arena will be a brilliant addition to the weekend.
“The dance arena is a new feature we are trying this year and we couldn’t think of anyone better to host the space than Glitterbox and Retro,” he said.
“It’s not difficult to see why they are so popular around the world and they’ve lined up some fantastic DJs to play for our festival-goers over the weekend.”
Hardwick Live Festival will feature a whole host of artists across a number of stages, including the Discovery Stage, The Dome and the BBC Tees Introducing Stage.
And on the main stage, headliners Manic Street Preachers and James will entertain fans, along with The Zutons, Lisa Stansfield, Stiff Little Fingers, Ziggy Marley, Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge, The Sherlocks and Billy Bragg.
Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult in the dance arena.
Tickets for this year’s Hardwick Live Festival are currently on sale at £55 for one day or £99 for both days. Concessions are available for children and 13-17-year-olds.
Camping and glamping options are also available for those who want to immerse themselves in the festival experience.
For more information or to book tickets, visit www.hardwicklive.co.uk.