Sunniside Nights brings free art and music to Sunderland

Sunniside Nights will take place on Friday, May 29, from 6pm, offering a packed evening across venues with comedy, live music, theatre, exhibitions and a showcase of “the worst ever album covers.”

Curated by The Futureheads musician, Ross Millard, the free festival will be a diverse showcase of not just talent but also of the great and versatile spaces that Sunniside has to offer.

Mr Millard said: “The idea is to have the whole of Sunniside buzzing with activity: artists, musicians, theatre-makers and DJs all popping up in familiar and unfamiliar spaces.”

Highlights include a headline performance at Pop Recs by experimental folk musician Richard Dawson, hot on the heels of an American tour and his own mini-festival held at The Barbican in London.

Artist Frank Styles will paint a mural live in the courtyard at Pop Recs throughout the evening.

Wild Fire City will host a set from Worldwide FM’s DJ Santa Leticia, who explores sounds spanning Latin America, the Caribbean, Brazil and Africa.

Elsewhere, comedian Scott Turnbull will present Surreally Good, a comic-book-inspired sketch show at Diego’s.

At Tribeca, photographer Andy Martin will unveil Tins of Town, a new exhibition of handmade tintype images.

Breeze Creatives will host two visual art exhibitions on the night.

The Abject Gallery will present This Time I Have a Reason, a group show by artists on Breeze Creatives’ Best Practice professional course.

Downstairs, the Moving Gallery will feature Worst Record Covers, curated from artist Steve Goldman’s collection of the most questionable record sleeve designs ever produced.

The Bridge Hotel Vaults will welcome musician Sarah Hayes and her band for a set of traditional music, following their 2025 Sunniside Nights appearance.

Theatre Space North East will host Shakespeare Shakedown, a monologue slam that reimagines classic Shakespeare passages.

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Roberta Redecke, head of business services at Sunderland BID, said: “Ross has brought together some absolutely incredible performers and created a unique programme with so many facets that there is something for everyone.

“It’s fantastic to see this event return even bigger than last time around, with more venues, more performers and even more variety.”

The event is curated by Mr Millard and funded by Sunderland’s BIDs, Art Council England, Sunderland City Council and with support from UKSPF.