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Live Music & Pop-ups

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Live Music & Pop-ups

Friday Line-up

11am - 11:40am

Rock Choir

The UK’s original, award-winning, contemporary choir experience!

  • Main Stage, Keel Square

11am - 3pm

DJ Jimi Dingwall

Local lad Jimi will be spinning the hits to keep the vibes going.

  • Pop-up Stage, Market Square

10am - 4pm

Women's Rugby World Cup

Have an opportunity to have your photo taken with the new Women’s Rugby World Cup Trophy and the bespoke RWC 2025 Defender Trophy Tour Vehicle!

  • Keel Square

1pm - 1:50pm

The Eco Edit

Life, business, and better choices. A lunchtime panel discussion about sustainable choices. We can all play a role in creating a more sustainable world, from how we shop, travel, and use resources at home to the policies and practices businesses adopt.

– Host – Jennie Morris: Just Let Your Soul Grow CIC

– Jo Gordon: My Sisters Kitchen

– Jenny Connor: Dalton Moor Farm

– Claire Wayman: Sunshine Cooperative

  • Main Stage, Keel Square

2pm - 2:50pm

Isabel Maria

BBC Introducing one to watch 2025, Isabel Maria is a local star with a beautiful voice.

  • Main Stage, Keel Square

3pm - 3:50pm

Alex Winn

Alex is a local artist who regularly performs at the Stadium of Light and with the emerging local band Swindled. 

  • Main Stage, Keel Square

3pm - 6pm

DJ Jamal G

Local lad Jamal will be showing his DJ skills and sharing them with any young ones wanting to have a go themselves!

  • Pop-up Stage, Market Square

4pm - 4:50pm

Will Swindle

Will is a young local artist who regularly performs at the Stadium of Light and with the emerging local band Swindled.

  • Main Stage, Keel Square

5pm - 5:50pm

John-Philip

International Vocalist John-Philip takes the stage with his electrifying one-man show. With powerful vocals, beautifully orchestrated set lists, a unique story and undeniable charisma, John-Philip delivers an unforgettable night of music & entertainment.
  • Main Stage, Keel Square

6pm - 7pm

Sharna Laidlow - Lady Legends

Local lass Sharna may look familiar. In 2016, she performed on X Factor with her partner as the duo He Knows She Knows!

  • Main Stage Keel Square

Saturday Line-up

Pride Pop-up - Market Square

Pride Radio will pop up in Market Square on Saturday, 7 June from 10 AM to 6 PM, playing loads of pop bangers!

Look out for Sugar & Spice, your friendly festival Drag Queens who will be out and about all day to say hello & get a selfie with…

Be sure to pop into The Bridges for the launch of Pride 2025, too.

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10am - 6pm

Pride Pop-up

Join Pride Radio for all the summer vibes in Market Square as Pride in Sunderland launches inside the Bridges.

  • Pop-up Stage, Market Square

11am - 5pm

Sugar & Spice

These drag queens will have you laughing all day at the Pride Pop-up!

  • Pop-up Stage, Market Square

10am - 11:50am

Deja Brew

Deja Brew play Jazz, funk, latin, soul and disco. All vinyl. All good.

  • Main Stage, Keel Square

12pm - 12:50pm

Ruby Kelly

Ruby Kelly is a Welsh folk singer/songwriter who has grown out of the NAME music college. Her songs are brutally honest accounts of moving away from her hometown at the age of 18. 

  • Main Stage, Keel Square

1pm - 1:50pm

Ice Road Trucker

Inspired by pop-punk and power pop outfits of the 90s & 00s, Ice Road Trucker is local musician Eddie Scott.

  • Main Stage, Keel Square

2pm - 2:50pm

Johnny D & The Space Cadets

Rockabilly, surf, psychobilly, filthy blues, rock n roll band from the North East of England featuring Screamin’ Steve.

  • Main Stage, Keel Square

3pm-3:50pm

Ani Sandwith

Ani has performed across the country since she was sixteen, including performances at Glastonbury Festival and BBC Introducing stages, and Ani was an artist in residence at the Glasshouse ICM’s Summer Studios in 2021. Her sound weaves together the rich textures of neo-soul, jazz, and pop with the storytelling traditions of folk and the warmth of acoustic instrumentation.

  • Main Stage, Keel Square

4pm-4:50pm

Jackson Soul

Jackson’s vast repertoire of chart-topping soul and Motown hits spanning decades from origin to the present day.

  • Main Stage, Keel Square

5pm-6pm

Danni Sax

Award-winning singer and saxophone player bringing vibes!

  • Main Stage, Keel Square

6pm-7pm

Voulez 2

Superb vocal harmonies, exceptional authenticity, high-quality music production and unrivalled attention to detail, this ABBA tribute is unlike any you’ve seen before!

  • Main Stage, Keel Square

7pm-late

Official Afterparty

Port of Call in Park Lane are hosting the official afterparty! They’ll have DJs, drinks deals and an exclusive menu!

  • Port of Call, Park Lane

Sunday Line-up

Afrobeats Pop-up - Market Square

Get ready to move! On Sunday 8 June, we turn up the tempo with an unmissable Afrobeats pop-up in Market Square, packed with music, movement and major good vibes! 

From 10 AM to 4 PM, the day kicks off with traditional African drumming by the Igba Drummers, a masquerade appearance, and a welcome from the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Melanie Thornton, and the Deputy Mayoress, Carol Hopps, all hosted by the ever-energetic Hypeman Best and Hypeman Blaze.

At 12 noon, don’t miss a show-stopping set from Fred Chyke, bringing his signature AfroFusion sound with a twist of reggae and soul, it’s pure sunshine for your ears.

He’s joined by other top performers, including Manny 234, known for his high-energy Afrobeat sets and epic crowd interaction. Add in DJ sets from DJ Sushi Sound and DJ Banko, an Afro-inspired fashion show,  giveaways, and more, and you’ve got a full-day celebration that’ll have you dancing all the way home!

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10am - 10:30am

Afrobeats Pop-up

Hypeman Best and Hypeman Blaze will host the opening ceremony with special guest the Right Worshipful Mayor of Sunderland, Cllr. Alison Chisnall, traditional dancing, drumming and masquerade.

  • Pop-up Stage, Market Square

10am - 10:20am

Absolute Cabaret

Local cabaret group performing with song & dance for all!

  • Main Stage, Keel Square

10:30am - 11:15am

Daniel Jack

NAME Student Daniel Jack covers pop and rock favourites from Bruce Springsteen to the Beatles.

  • Main Stage, Keel Square

10:30am - 12pm

Afrobeats Pop-up

DJ Sushi Sound & DJ Banko bring the good vibes with Afrobeat, Amapiano, and global African music. Hypeman Best and Hypeman Blaze will be back with interactive games and more!

  • Pop-up Stage, Market Square

11:20am - 11:50am

Lucie Thompson

More information coming soon…

  • Main Stage, Keel Square

12pm-12:50pm

Lottie Willis

Lottie Willis is an immensely talented singer-songwriter from the Sunderland Music Scene. She kicked off her career at the age of 14 by joining We Make Culture’s Young Musicians Project. Lottie has been featured in lineups across the region’s popular music festivals, such as Lindisfarne, Summer Streets, Munro, and Waves.

  • Main Stage, Keel Square

12pm-12:30pm

Afrobeats Pop-up

Fred Chyke will be bringing us a brilliant AfroFusion DJ set infused with reggae and soul…

  • Pop-up Stage, Market Square

12:30pm-12:45pm

Afrobeats Pop-up

A short showcase of traditional and modern African fashion will bring bursts of colour to Market Square!

  • Pop-up Stage, Market Square

12:45pm-1:30pm

Afrobeats Pop-up

Manny 234 will deliver a high-energy Afrobeat performance with plenty of audience engagement!

  • Pop-up Stage, Market Square

1pm-1:50pm

Torn Apart By Lisa

Torn Apart By Lisa delivers gutsy, no-frills alt-rock to audiences around the North East of England.

  • Main Stage, Keel Square

1:30pm-3pm

Afrobeats Pop-up

DJ Sushi Sound & DJ Bankoare back with a back-to-back party set! Hypeman Best and Hypeman Blaze will be back with interactive games and more!

  • Pop-up Stage, Market Square

2pm - 2:50pm

Lewis Lion - Reggae Roots

Join Lewis Lion on a musical journey through the heart and soul of reggae, soca, and ska. With his boundless energy and hilarious banter, Lewis Lion keeps the vibe alive, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all. Lewis Lion’s Reggae Roots promises an electrifying night of music, laughter, and pure Caribbean spirit.

  • Main Stage, Keel Square

3pm-4pm

Rock DJ

Get ready for an electrifying tribute to the ultimate entertainer as Ricky K brings Robbie Williams to life in ‘ROCK DJ’! With the look, the voice, and that unmistakable charisma, Ricky K channels the magic of Robbie Williams with stunning authenticity. Ricky K delivers more than just a tribute – he creates an unforgettable experience that captures Robbie’s legendary stage presence and infectious energy.

  • Main Stage, Keel Square

3pm-4pm

Afrobeats Pop-up

Join in the closing community dance session and masquerade appearance!

  • Pop-up Stage, Market Square

Heritage Bus Rides - Seaburn to Keel Sq

Seaburn Classic Car Show will take place in Seaburn Recreation Ground on Sunday, 8 June from 10 AM to 4 PM, bringing yesteryear to date!

Look out for the Heritage Bus offering FREE Trips between Sunderland Food & Drink Festival & Seaburn Classic Car Show!