The Lake Poets

The Lake Poets are back at The Fire Station on Sunday 6 December, as part of Sunderland Music City's Music Against Child Poverty campaign. It's the third year the night has run at the venue, and the first two editions raised a record £51,684.10 for Love, Amelia, a local baby bank that supports around 1,000 children and families across Tyne and Wear and County Durham. This year, the room is set up with both seated and standing areas for the first time.

Frankie and the Heartstrings are on the bill, with frontman Frankie Francis hosting the night. Paul Smith of Maxïmo Park returns after playing in 2024, and the line-up brings together two iconic Sunderland bands after a hiatus. They're joined by B>E>A>K, Northern Daughters, Swindled, Smith & Liddle and Kay Greyson. B>E>A>K are an instrumental, mask-wearing act fronted by Marty Longstaff, a Sunderland Music City Officer, with members of This Ain't Vegas and White Legs.

The night also doubles as a book launch. Sunderland author Glenda Young is presenting her mystery novel Murder at the Seaview Hotel, which she wrote using conversations with North East musicians, including Longstaff, David Brewis of Field Music, Marie Nixon of The Cornshed Sisters and Grace Stubbings. She's donating all the profits from the book to the charity.

Doors open at 19:00, with the music starting at 19:30. Tickets are £37 for standing and £40 for seated, with Tier 1 sponsorship at £150 and Tier 2 at £250.