This year’s Sunderland International Airshow will be kicked off by an ensemble of Zulu performers, a ‘pit pop’ brass/folk band, and a nostalgic nineties extravaganza.

The airshow’s Friday evening launch – on 21st July – will take place at Cliffe Park in Seaburn. 

The Lions of Zululand will start the show at around 4.00 pm.  Following their performance, there will be a speech from Sunderland’s mayor Councillor Doris McKnight.

Next up will be the Hetton-based folk rock, roots and brass act Dennis, who will be performing at the airshow after a series of sell-out gigs across the country. 

There will then be a nostalgic nineties performance to celebrate Sunderland being granted city status 25 years ago. Entitled City Life, this ninety-minute extravaganza will see leading tribute acts belting out some of the greatest hits of that decade. 

City Life will feature the songs of nineties superstars such as The Spice Girls, Blur, Oasis, Pulp, Steps, Robbie Williams and Take That.

At 9.45 pm, a fireworks display will bring the event to a close. 

In addition to the musical acts, there will be a flying programme with The Red Arrows and The Typhoon Display Team creating a spectacular aerial backdrop to the stage.

The Friday evening will also feature a range of activities and entertainment all along the seafront. 

Councillor McKnight said, “The Friday night musical launch event is a great way to start the airshow experience, and this year has even more significance as a celebration of the 25th anniversary of Sunderland being granted city status by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”

“Our city and airshow have developed significantly over the past three decades and the international headline acts entertaining the crowds with music from the 1990s are a great way to celebrate that.”

The Friday night’s entertainment is all free, but tickets are available for those who would prefer to watch the event from a hospitality lounge.

For more information about the Sunderland International Airshow, please visit https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=6454.

(Featured image courtesy of Liam Swinney, from Flickr Creative Commons)


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