Emmylou Harris to play final North East show in Sunderland
One of the most influential voices in American music will return to the North East next spring as Emmylou Harris brings her farewell tour to Sunderland Empire.
The 14-time Grammy winner and Billboard Century Award recipient - a defining figure in folk, country and Americana - is set for what is likely to be one of the region’s stand out events for 2026.
The show on May 18 is being presented by The Fire Station, Sunderland, but it has been transferred “over the road” to the Empire to meet exceptional demand.
Harris last performed in the region a decade ago, and this appearance will mark her final North East performance - a milestone moment for both fans and the city’s growing cultural scene.
Over a career spanning more than 40 years, Harris has shaped the landscape of modern Americana with her unmistakable voice, powerful songwriting and unrivalled collaborative legacy.
She has sold more than 15 million records, released over 25 albums, and earned a long list of accolades, including 14 Grammy Awards, three CMA Awards and four Americana Awards. In 2008 she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, followed by the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
Her influence extends far beyond her solo work. Harris’s legendary partnerships with Gram Parsons, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and countless others have shaped the sound of country and Americana for generations. Her expressive singing and finely tuned instincts as a song curator have cemented her status as a true icon of American music.
Tamsin Austin, venue director at The Fire Station, said: “Welcoming Emmylou Harris to Sunderland Empire is an immense privilege and a momentous occasion for our music city.
“A legendary icon of country and Americana music who led the charge alongside such colossal collaborators as Gram Parsons, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, Emmylou has paved the way and influenced generations of musicians in a country music scene that is stronger than ever. This will be a landmark moment… and the final opportunity to experience a legend live in concert.”
Marie Nixon, theatre director at Sunderland Empire, added: “It’s a genuine honour to welcome the legendary Emmylou Harris here for her farewell tour… Sunderland Empire has a rich heritage of hosting the world’s finest artists at the height of their powers.”
Harris will be joined by Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and Americana icon Jim Lauderdale, known for writing songs for Elvis Costello and The Chicks.
Tickets are on sale now via thefirestation.org.uk