Music Against Child Poverty returns for a third time in support of local baby bank charity Love, Amelia.
For the last two years, Sunderland Music City’s Music Against Child Poverty show has brought together countless local music icons for an unforgettable night at The Fire Station, raising record-breaking funds to help the city’s children.
Held as part of Sunderland Music City’s charity campaign to help disadvantaged children in the area, the campaign raised a whopping £51,684.10 for local baby bank charity Love, Amelia in 2025.
On Sunday 6 December 2026, exactly a year since last year’s event, a stellar lineup will take to the stage at The Fire Station to once again raise vital funds for the organisation. This year brings together old and new and sees the reunion of two iconic Sunderland bands after a hiatus.
Frankie and The Heartstrings will headline the evening with what will be their first gig in nearly five years. Frontman (and Sunderland Music City Officer) Frankie Francis will also be hosting the evening’s festivities.
Instrumental mask-wearing groovers B>E>A>K also return to the stage, featuring members of iconic local bands This Ain’t Vegas, The Lake Poets (Sunderland Music City’s own Marty Longstaff) and White Legs. Maximo Park’s Paul Smith also makes his Music Against Child Poverty return, after his incredible performance back in 2024.
The North East strong lineup also features Sunderland band Swindled and 70’s inspired duo Smith & Liddle. Mackem girlband Northern Daughters will also be making an appearance, along with local rapper Kay Greyson.
For the first time ever, the gig will be a mix of seated and standing, giving attendees the option to get in the thick of the high-energy show or opt for a seated ticket.
All funds raised on the night will once again go to Love, Amelia, which offers direct support to families experiencing poverty and hardship across Tyne and Wear and County Durham.
The evening also celebrates the launch of local author Glenda Young’s latest release ‘Murder at the Seaview Hotel’. Glenda is kindly donating all profits of her book to Love, Amelia with an option to purchase her book when you select to buy a ticket for the event. She will also be selling them in-person at the event.
Glenda said, “When researching my mystery book about the life of musicians and bands, I spoke to many North East musicians. These included Marty Longstaff of The Lake Poets, David Brewis of Field Music, Marie Nixon of The Cornshed Sisters, Grace Stubbings, ex-synth player in Venus Grrrls, jazz singer Jude Murphy and my drummer friend Richard Warner who plays in a covers band in London called The Three Deuces.
Sunderland Music City were hugely helpful in putting me in touch with musicians and I wanted to repay their kindness. I was gobsmacked when they invited me to launch my book at the Music against Child Poverty gig. I can’t think of a better way to launch the book
The Fire Station is my favourite venue. All profits from each book, whether sold online or sold on the night from the merch table, will go to Love, Amelia. I am honoured to be involved.”
Michelle Daurat, CEO of Sunderland Music City, said, “We’re thrilled to be bringing Music Against Child Poverty back to help raise more critical funds for struggling families in the City. We’re proud to be supporting the incredible work Love, Amelia do.
To be able to give people a way to help their community and have a great experience at the same time is what we’re all about. Last year’s show was truly special, so we’re looking forward to seeing more incredible performances, and hopefully, smashing last year’s total in the process.”
Steph Capewell, CEO of Love, Amelia, said: “We’re so excited to be bringing Music Against Child Poverty back for a third year, celebrating brilliant local artists with a fantastic evening of live music, all while supporting children and families in need across our region. Thanks to the funds raised through this event, Love, Amelia is able to support around 1,000 local children and their families. That support really matters, and we’re incredibly proud to see the event return for its third year.”
Tickets go on general sale on Friday 9th October at 10am via thefirestation.org.uk.
Discover more from InNewcastle.co.uk
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.