Star puts acts in the spotlight
MEET THE LOCAL BANDS WARMING UP THE CROWDS FOR DAVE STEWART
Emerging Sunderland bands are looking forward to their moment in the spotlight after being hand-picked by Dave Stewart to support him at the Sunderland Empire.
The rock star musician, songwriter and producer will play his home town stage for the first time on September 10 to mark his 65th birthday.
Rising to fame as one half of the Eurythmics, Dave, from Barnes, has gone on to sell 100 million albums and has written songs for the likes of Katy Perry, Mick Jagger, Gwen Stefani and more.
Always keen to keep in touch with what’s going on in his home city, he has chosen three local bands, Picnic, Social Room and Lilliput, to warm up the Empire crowds after listening to their music online.
Matty Smith from sixpiece Social Room, whose band members are from Seaham and Sunderland, said: “We were over the moon when we got the phone call about playing, you couldn’t write it, supporting someone of his calibre. It’s great that he’s asked three local bands to support him, he doesn’t have to do that.”
Social Room have built up a loyal local following and have released a number of singles. They recently played the Sunniside Live festival in Sunderland and are planning a new release next month.
Picnic have also had festival success after appearing at last month’s Summer Streets festival in Southwick.
The seven-piece formed after meeting at Sunderland College and Sunderland University.
Guitarist Eddie Scott said: “It’s an amazing thing for him to do, he could have easily got bigger names to support him.”
Singer Robyn Walker said: “It shows he’s really passionate about Sunderland’s music scene, which we are too, so we feel like we have something in common with him already.
“When I told my mam, she couldn’t believe it. The Empire is the kind of venue we never dreamed of being able to play.”
Dave had planned to play the Empire in 2012 on his Ringmaster tour, but had to cancel the date following the death of his close friend, director Tony Scott, who he’d just returned from holiday with before his tragic death.
Tickets for Dave Stewart at Sunderland Empire on September 10 are on sale now in person at the Box office on High Street West, from the Ticket Centre on 0844 871 3022 or online at www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland.