Sunderland Music City are to showcase up-and-coming talent in a new free music event coming to Wearside in August.
One City, One Voice will take place across Sunderland city centre on Saturday 2 August and aims to bring people across the local area together to celebrate music and community.
Sunderland Music City will host the free celebration of the city’s diversity, musical talents and rich cultural heritage on outdoor stages hosted at Sunderland Minster, The Fire Station and The Peacock.
The event is part of the Sunderland Year of Music 2025–2026 and aims to connect people across the city with through live music.
The event will feature free live performances across three vibrant outdoor stages, showcasing a diverse lineup of local artists throughout the day.
In addition to the music, attendees will have the unique opportunity to participate in an interactive DJ workshop, open to everyone regardless of experience.
Local artist Jamal Graham (DJ Jamal G) will be hosting the workshop at The Fire Station and visitors can try their hand behind the decks and learn a new skill.
This hands-on workshop will run continuously during the event, offering a fun and educational space for people to try out specialist equipment and learn the art of DJing.
The Northern Academy of Music Education are sponsoring One City, One Voice and will be hosting a stage outside The Peacock, featuring performances from four of their talented students — a testament to the city’s next generation of rising stars.
The Bunker will host a stage in Minster Park. The Bunker’s lineup showcases their youth and adult singing clubs, plus appearances from recognised tutors and the Young Musicians Project.
Buskers will also be located across the city centre and Roker seafront, utilising the Sunderland Music City busker pitches that were set up on the opening day of the Sunderland Year of Music.
Beccy Young (a.k.a This Little Bird) will be at Roker seafront between 11am-12pm, followed by Ruby Kelly from 1-2pm.
James Berry is at Mackies Corner 12-1pm and Jenny Dean will be by Park Lane between 2-3pm.
There will be a free-entry evening event at Mexico 70, with Beccy Young (one of our Buskers) DJing from 8:30pm – late. A range of cocktails (including a one-off special designed for the event) will be available. Mexico 70 is also serving food from 12 noon till 9.
Michelle Daurat, Lead at Sunderland Music City, said “One City, One Voice is entirely free of charge and is designed to unite the community.
“We’re really excited to bring together people of all ages and from all walks of life together in a vibrant celebration of music, culture, and togetherness throughout the city.”
One City, One Voice is a part of the Sunderland Year of Music, with more than 500 events planned, this year of festivities builds on Sunderland’s official designation as a global Music City. The internationally-recognised status was achieved in January 2025, acknowledging years of grassroots development, cultural success and ambition.
The formal recognition by the Music Cities Network places Sunderland among a global powerhouse of cities like Berlin, Manchester and Sydney, committed to harnessing music as a tool for social and economic transformation, and marks a bold new chapter in the city’s creative future.
Sunderland Year of Music events are being announced daily; to see the most up-to-date list visit https://musiccity.uk/year-of-music.
Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.