Tickets are now available for Sunderland music festival Sunniside Live.
Following on from the huge success last year the festival aims to be bigger and better when it returns to Sunniside Gardens on Saturday, July 16.
Jazz and funk band The Brand New Heavies will headline the event ahead of a US tour. They will be joined by a host of other acts including local bands Smooth & Turrell and Dennis and special guests Alison Limerick and Shola Ama.
The event, organised by Helen Davies and Sean Maddison who run both Bar Justice and newly opened Gin & Bear it Bar at West Sunniside, is designed to attract visitors and showcase what the area has to offer.
“We were over the moon with the response to last year’s event,” explained Sean. “And it’s that response that’s made us stage it again.
“We believe, as a business, that it helped to raise the profile of the area. Since last year, we’ve opened Gin & Bear It and new businesses such as Papadoms and Thai Bay have opened.
“On the day of the festival, places likes Bar Justice and Angelo’s did a great trade. It’s a great way of reminding people we’re here.”
The event will run from 12noon-10pm. Visitors will have the chance to browse food stalls, including a pop-up by The Place Café.
There will also be a licenced bar run by Bar Justice and Gin & Bear It bar, a retro Pimm’s van and bottle and spirits stall.
During the run up to the festival, Bar Justice will be also holding a ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition.
The winner will open the festival and perform alongside some of the music festival’s big names.
Last year’s free event sold out of wristbands as thousands flocked to see Sunderland’s own Frankie & the Heartstrings, Hyde & Beast and The Voice finalist Olivia Lawson.
This year, organisers have been able to increase the capacity from 2,500 to 4,000 and have added a wristband charge of £10.
Tickets to the event are available at www.sunnisidelive.co.uk or by visiting Bar Justice or Gin & Bear it bar.
For more information about the event visit www.sunnisidelive.co.uk or contact us at info@sunnisidelive.co.uk.
