Matty Healy to make Sunday for Sammy return at 25th anniversary show
The 1975 frontman revealed his 2026 performance during a surprise masterclass at Gateshead College, marking a homecoming for the charity founded by his dad
Matty Healy has announced he will take to the Sunday for Sammy stage in February 2026, performing at the beloved North East fundraising concert as it marks its 25th anniversary.
The frontman of The 1975 revealed the news during a surprise appearance at Gateshead College on Tuesday morning, where students from the music, performing arts and media courses had gathered expecting a Zoom call – only for Matty to walk on stage in person, flanked by his dad, actor Tim Healy, and Sunday for Sammy producer and Lindisfarne legend Ray Laidlaw.
The gig, affectionately known as the Geordie Command Performance, returns to Newcastle’s Utilita Arena next year for its first outing since 2020. For Brit and Ivor Novello award winner Matty, who grew up steeped in the charity his dad co-founded, the moment marks a homecoming.
Once the surprise had landed and the cheers had settled, Tim and Ray took seats in the audience to leave Matty to take part in an in-conversation-cum-masterclass that veered between creative insight, songwriting demonstration, and a mini jam session with five students who probably thought they were in a collective fever dream.
Matty fielded questions on craft and industry realities before standing up to show and tell them “how easy it is to write a 1975 song”.
“I absolutely loved it. It was really good to spend time with everyone and the students on stage did great. I hope they enjoyed it,” he said afterwards.
It’s fair to assume Charlie Jeffers (drums), Joanie Gustafson (keys), Nathan Rowan (bass), Teddy Chambers (electric guitar) and Chris Wilkinson (acoustic guitar) had one of the best mornings of their student lives.
Matty stayed long after the event officially wrapped, posing for photos and chatting to every student who asked.
The 36-year-old who led The 1975 as headliners at this year’s Glastonbury festival, was unveiled as one of Sunday for Sammy’s first patrons earlier this year.
His dad founded the charity alongside Auf Wiedersehen, Pet co-star Jimmy Nail after the sudden death of their close friend Ronnie “Sammy” Johnson in 1998.
A memorial gig at Newcastle City Hall in 2000 grew into a biennial North East institution raising funds to support young people in the region’s performing arts.
Over the years, the concerts have featured Mark Knopfler, Brian Johnson, Jill and Chelsea Halfpenny, Kevin Whately, Brendan Healy, Denise Welch, John Miles, Charlie Hardwick, Chris and Rosie Ramsey, Kathryn Tickell, Joe McElderry, and many more – with guest appearances from Timothy Spall, Christopher Fairbank, Brenda Blethyn and Johnny Vegas.
For Matty, the charity is part of his personal and artistic upbringing.
“I grew up in a culture where I could afford to be in a band and work in the service industry and live at home. It’s so difficult for young people now.
“My dad started the charity for a personal reason and it has been very personal to me. It made sense to me, having become a successful artist to take it on, run with it and move it forward.
“It has been part of the North East for a long time and we want to keep it that way. The 25th anniversary is an amazing milestone and what has been achieved deserves to be celebrated… and the future is looking bright.”
While the upcoming show will be the first time Matty has performed on the Sunday for Sammy stage since becoming an international star - The 1975 regularly play to sold out stadiums all over the world – it’s not his first appearance.
He attended the inaugural fundraiser at the age of 11. At 16, he was back on drums accompanying his dad and a few years later, he performed with the band who would become The 1975 when they were called Drive Like I Do.
Although he has often attended the shows since, the band’s rise to global fame, diary clashes have kept him away from the stage itself.
“It will be nice to come back. I’ve only not been there due to logistics so it will be great to be back. I’m sure me and my dad will disrupt each other’s performances in some way!”
And he might not come alone. During the Gateshead session, the possibility of Sam Fender joining the bill was floated – Matty even attempted to FaceTime the North Shields star, currently decompressing in Bali after an Australian tour leg. It went to voicemail, but the seed was planted.
Ray Laidlaw, producer of Sunday for Sammy, said: “We’re all absolutely delighted that Matty will be performing at the show - it’s been in the planning for a while, so it’s great that everything has come together.
“He gets everything the charity is about and understands what we’re trying to do - of course he has been around it since he was a young kid. Having Matty as patron and now taking to the stage too is a great way for Sunday for Sammy to be brought to the attention of the younger generation because after all, that’s who we want to support.
“We’re looking forward to seeing him up there - and I’m sure he’ll be bringing some friends with him.”
Watching from the audience, a very proud Tim was obviously moved by his son’s performance and presence with the students. “He was great wasn’t he? I’ve never seen him do that kind of thing before, but he’s a natural!”
The whole morning ended with lunch in the College’s Enfield Restaurant, prepared and served by catering students.
Gateshead College principal David Alexander said: “It’s been brilliant to have Matty Healy from The 1975 in college, especially now that he’s become a patron of Sunday for Sammy. That really highlights his commitment to supporting young people, which clearly shone through during his time with our students.
“We’re all about giving our students the employment edge, and what better way than hearing directly from someone who has built such an inspiring career in the creative industry. Matty’s stories and insights were motivational and I know our students gained so much from the experience. Opportunities like this are fantastic for our students and we’re incredibly grateful to Matty for spending time with us.”
Before leaving, Matty promised he would return before the February concert to perform for students again – a pledge likely to send the college wondering how to quadruple the capacity of its performance space.
As Sunday for Sammy approaches its milestone year, Matty’s involvement both honours the charity’s past and signals its future.
For the North East performers the fund supports, for the students who were handed the chance of a lifetime, and for the thousands who will pack into the Utilita Arena next February, the return of Sunday for Sammy is already shaping up to be something special – and, with Matty Healy back on home turf, perhaps a little louder than usual.
Sunday for Sammy 2026 takes place at the Utilita Arena, Newcastle on February 15. Tickets are on sale now via the website.