Welcome to the House of Fun
HARDWICK HALL WILL HOST SOME SPECIAL GUESTS, BARBARA HODGSON WRITES
WITH just days to go before Madness descends on County Durham, music fans are gearing up for two days of solid entertainment.
Tickets are still available to see the 80s ska favourites turn Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, into a House of Fun on Friday night where they will be supported by Gateshead funk-rock duo Smoove & Turrell.
Showcasing the likes of Baggy Trousers, Our House and It Must Be Love, Suggs and co will be setting the party mood in the hotel grounds ahead of the Hardwick Live festival which opens the next day.
In all it promises to be two days of cracking music and for music lovers there are various ticket options available, such as joint packages to include the festival and offers of £8 tickets for children and £15 for young teenagers. Adult tickets are £45 for the Friday or £90 for both days.
Friday’s all-standing gig will overlook Hardwick Park Lake and in the grounds there will be a Champagne marquee and Gin Palace as well as a main bar, a Real Ale marquee and even a Madness Ale tent.
Gates will open at 4pm and among the food on offer will be a hog roast, freshly-made pizzas, fish and chips and Mexican and Chinese cuisine.
Other support for Madness on the Friday night will include comedy rock band The Lounge Kittens and young talent Tom Smith, a 13-year-old singer from Houghton-le-Spring.
Then Hardwick Live the next day will up the ante with Ocean Colour Scene and Fun Lovin’ Criminals among some of the biggest bands of the 90s, playing alongside emerging local musicians. Also on the bill at Hardwick Hall will be Pete Doherty; Soul II Soul; Gabrielle; Brand New Heavies; British punk legends Buzzcocks; The Bootleg Beatles; Cattle & Cane and The Lancashire Hotpots.
There will be DJs too, including Brandon Block, Allister Whitehead and Danny Rampling who will play the Dome stage throughout the day.
For more information, including camping facilities and children’s attractions, visit www.hardwicklive. co.uk