A flaming good programme of shows at city’s newest venue
It’s been announced that Sunderland’s new £18million Auditorium will open its doors on December 10.
Here’s a look at the programme of events we can look forward to at the city’s newest venue. Tickets are now on sale.
More acts will be announced in the future, but here’s some of what’s on the bill so far.
December 10: Kathryn Tickell and The Darkening will open the venue when they will be joined by special guest The Lake Poets. This unique collaboration will bring the shamanic sounds of ancient Northumbria into the 21st century through the stateof-the-art venue.
December 12: The region’s chamber orchestra Royal Northern Sinfonia, featuring their new leader Maria Wloszczowska, will perform a candle-lit Christmas concert.
December 15: British queen of soul and gospel Mica Paris will perform.
December 17: The main event to officially open The Fire Station, when Mercury Music Prize nominees Field Music will present The Firestarters Revue, with line-up of guests including rising stars Martha Hill, Reali-T, Faye Fantarrow alongside Sunderland musicians Barry Hyde and Ross Millard (The Futureheads) and Frankie Francis.
December 19: A party to end all parties with North East funk icons Smoove & Turrell, fresh from their chart-topping seventh studio album, Stratos Bleu. The event will also include special guests the Voices of Virtue Gospel Choir, MC Kay Greyson and the Origin Crew dancers.
January 22, 2022: A solo show from vital folk-troubadour Richard Dawson.
January 27: The Shires playing an intimate acoustic show.
February 10: Amy Winehouse: A Celebration of her Life and Work with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra.
February 17: A production of Ibsen’s landmark play, ‘A Doll's House’ by Elysium Theatre Company.
February 18 : The Transatlantic Ensemble of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours.
February 19: Dance enthusiasts can enjoy ‘The Monocle’, a newly-commissioned piece by Rendez-Vous Dance Company, set in a 1930s Parisian nightclub and with shades of Cabaret.
March 10: This is The Kit,
the indie musical project of Ivor Novello nominated singer-songwriter Kate Stables perform.
March 13: A highly anticipated show by former Maccabees frontman Orlando Weeks on the back of his new album.
March 18: A visit by the legendary China Crisis, celebrating their 40th anniversary.
March 26: For comedy fans, Mock the Week and Live at the Apollo sell-out sensation Gary Delaney brings his unique brand of humour.
April 8: Speakeasy, a thrilling dance spectacle from Southpaw which combines vintage and contemporary dance.
April 9: Britain’s oldest boy band The Fisherman’s Friends.
April 16: Teesside’s finest Young’uns.
April 20: The Hot Club of Cowtown bringing their hot jazz and western swing.
April 22: Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman.