Mack-em Noise
A night of homegrown music, poetry and art seeks to put Sunderland centre stage
Sunderland’s creative spirit will take centre stage on Tuesday (August 12) as part of National Mackem Day, with a special evening of live music, spoken word and visual arts at the city’s Sheepfolds Stables.
Hosted by Sunderland Music City in partnership with A Love Supreme and The Mackem Dictionary and Cookbook, the event is part of the wider Sunderland Year of Music, a city-wide celebration featuring over 500 events throughout 2025.
Next week’s line-up features a stellar cast of local talent, including Barry Hyde (The Futureheads) David Brewis (Field Music), Sunderland Symphony Orchestra, The Lake Poets, Small Town Brass, Tom A. Smith, This Little Bird, King Ink, Patrick Gosling, Eve Simpson, and Ani Sandwith.
All performances will be original works written about – or inspired by – Sunderland.
Audiences can expect more than just music. As well as intimate live sets, each artist will share the story behind their piece, offering insight into their creative connection with the city.
The night will also serve as a showcase of arts and crafts from local makers, with work on sale from names including ALS (A Love Supreme), Kathryn Robertson, Chris Cummings, GrassiArt, and the National Glass Centre.
“Each act will perform original songs and poetry written about – or inspired by – Sunderland. They’ll also share a little bit about how and why they wrote the song or poem, and their connection to the city in each intimate performance,” organisers confirmed.
Entry is free, and the event is designed to be accessible for everyone, whether they’re lifelong residents or newcomers wanting to connect with the city’s cultural heartbeat.
Marty Longstaff, Sunderland Music City officer and the man behind The Lake Poets, called it “a heartfelt celebration of everything that makes Sunderland unique - from its dialect and humour to its music, poetry and visual arts.”
National Mackem Day promises to be another cultural highlight in a year that has already marked a major milestone for the city. In January 2025, Sunderland joined the global Music Cities Network, placing it alongside the likes of Berlin, Manchester, and Sydney in recognition of its musical ambition and cultural growth.
Free tickets available now at: musiccity.uk/whats-on