Festival to hit the high note for key workers

Emeli Sandé is set to headline a free music festival planned for Sunderland in 2021 to thank NHS and key workers.

Plans are in place to stage the Rocking in the Free World festival in Herrington Country Park on May 22, 2021 – providing it’s safe for crowds to gather by this date.

Organiser Andrew Kennedy is aiming to raise £20,000 via a CrowdFunder page so he can stage the free festival to say thank you to people who’ve worked hard at the frontline of the healthcare crisis.

So far he’s announced that Sunderland-born multi-platinum-selling Emeli Sandé, whose hits include Clown and Next To Me, will perform as well as dance act Karen Harding whose hits include Say Something. Karen also has links to the city as she used to work in her parents’ takeaway business in Chester Road.

Organiser Andrew said:

“Given the sacrifices being made and how hard the NHS are working along with other key workers to get us through this current situation I am planning to put on a festival/ concert to thank them for all that they are doing and to give them the chance to be looked after by us even if it is for a few hours.

“The plan is for the event to be free of charge and for all guests to get at least a free drink (more if we raise enough) and for them to spend time socially with their work colleagues and to have a laugh and make some good memories.

“The size of the event will depend entirely on how much can be raised so the more that is given the more people can be invited and the bigger the event will be.”

Last year, singer songwriter Emeli was announced as Sunderland University’s new chancellor.