LICHFIELD FESTIVAL’s

Pop icon Tony Hadley is to open

40th anniversary celebrations this summer.

The former Spandau Ballet frontman – a festival patron – will perform in Lichfield Cathedral on Thursday, July 7. Other headliners at this year’s event (July 7-17) include singer/songwriter Ayanna Witter-Johnson; Ballet Cymru; folk group The Longest Johns; comedian Zoe Lyons; BBC National Orchestra of Wales; Brodsky Quartet and cellist Steven Isserlis; and jazz coupling James Pearson and Lizzie Ball.

“Since the first event in 1982, Lichfield Festival has brought artists and musicians of the highest calibre to this beautiful city,” says festival director Damian Thantrey.

“Our 40th anniversary will feature works from the first festival, new commissions, bespoke 1980s-themed shows, music honouring the 150th anniversary of the composer Ralph Vaughan Williams and the inaugural Midlands Choir of the Year competition.

‘‘We’re thrilled that Tony Hadley has agreed to launch the celebrations for us and, as always, there will be dance, drama, comedy, family fun, fireworks and free events.”

For tickets and more details see www.lichfieldfestival.org

As YEARS & YEARS, Olly Alexander has become one of the world’s biggest modern pop stars. Across two hugely successful albums to date, the singer, actor, fashion icon and cultural vanguard has earned five Brit Award nominations, surpassed 4.4 billion global streams, and played a triumphant show on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage. Along the way, Olly has also become a fearless voice on important discussions around mental health and issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community. He’s at Resorts World Arena, the NEC, on May 21.

In 2017 LORDE released her second full-length studio album, Melodrama, which was number one in over 45 countries and earned a nomination for Album of the Year at the 2018 Grammy Awards. She won the BRIT Award for International Female Solo Artist in both 2014 and 2018. After returning in August with her third full-length studio album, Solar Power, Lorde is now hitting the road and will be at Birmingham’s O2 Academy on May 30.