Sunderland Echo

Win tickets for Orlando’s hot gig at The Fire Station

Former Maccabbees frontman showcases second album at new live show

- BY KATY WHEELER

Orlando Weeks – former frontman of the renowned indie rock band The Maccabbees – will touch down in Sunderland next month bringing his atmospheri­c live show to The Fire Station. Taking place on Sunday, March 13, the Orlando Weeks gig will take place in the recently-opened venue’s auditorium to showcase his critically-acclaimed sophomore album Hop Up – and we have a pair of tickets to give away, as well as a bottle of wine in the new foyer bar.

The singer released his debut solo album, A Quickening, in 2020, an album that catalogued the emotions, expectatio­ns and trepidatio­ns that come with imminent parenthood.

His infectious follow-up Hop Up is once again inspired by parenthood, but this time celebrates its joys.

Speaking ahead of the Sunderland show, Orlando said: “It’s been a long time Sunderland, but I’ve always loved coming to the North East and performing for old friends.

“You’ve always supported me and for that I’m always grateful. I can’t wait to see you in March.

I know it’ll be a memorable night.”

Orlando rose to fame as the frontman of The British indie rock sensation The Maccabees in the early noughties.

The chart-topping group formed in 2004, released their debut effort three years later and quickly earned the recognitio­n of DJs like Steve Lamacq and Zane Lowe. Over the next decade, the band attracted a dedicated fan base and earned critical acclaim for a string of top-selling albums.

The Maccabees’ penultimat­e album was nominated for a Mercury Prize in 2012 and included the Ivor Novello Awardwinni­ng track, Pelican, which has since been streamed tens of millions of times.

The band disbanded in 2016 and the frontman turned his focus to another of his passions - illustrati­on.

Three years after releasing his debut book, The Gritterman, he was back in the studio.

Support for Orlando Weeks at The Fire Station comes from the fast-emerging musician and artist, Joviale.

The mid-size venue, which holds 550 people as a seating venue or 800 standing, completes the transforma­tion of the former central Fire Station which now houses the Engine Room bistro, dance studios and arts space in the old Edwardian wing and the venue in the new wing, an £11m addition to the site.

Designed by the same architect as the Sage and with world leaders in acoustic design, it’s set to play a major role in the cultural rejuvenati­on of the city.

Tickets are available to buy from The Fire Station website at www.thefiresta­tion.org.uk

WIN

We have a pair of tickets to give away for Orlando Weeks at the Fire Station on Sunday, March 13 – as well as a bottle of wine in the foyer bar.

To be in with a chance of winning, answer this question: which band did Orlando Weeks once front?

A:: The Maccabees

B:: The Charlatans

C:: The La’s

Email your answer, along with your and contact details to Katy.Wheeler@jpimedia.co.uk by 9am on Monday, February

28. The winner will be notified by email.

Usual JPI Media competitio­n rules apply.

‘I know it’ll be a memorable night’

 ?? ?? Orlando Weeks is heading to Sunderland. You could win tickets to see him – and a bottle of wine to enjoy.
Orlando Weeks is heading to Sunderland. You could win tickets to see him – and a bottle of wine to enjoy.
 ?? ??
 ?? ?? The Fire Station, Sunderland.
The Fire Station, Sunderland.

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