A brand new festival is set to rock Wearside in October. The Split Festival will celebrate the diverse musical heritage of Sunderland, as well as showcasing the cream of the crop of Newcastle-based bands.

Taking place at Ashbrooke Sports Club on Sunday 4th October, the event has been organised by several local luminaries including Richard Amundsen (B>E>A>K, This Aint Vegas), Barry Hyde (The Futureheads), Peter Brewis (Field Music), Kenny Sanger (The Bunker) and Claire Dupree (NARC. Magazine), all ably assisted and supported by Chairman and Vice Chairman of the sports club, Rob Deverson and Paul Amundsen.

The festival will see a host of local stars grace two stages at the sports ground from 2pm until 9pm. In addition to the music, expect comedy from local comedians, street theatre, market stalls and all sorts of fun and games to be announced soon!

“Nothing really happens in Sunderland like this and it’s the time of the year where people often look for something different to do.” Says Richard, on his inspiration behind the festival. “It’s also been nearly ten years since I put my first ever gig on at the Ashbrooke Sports Club under the Beats Happening name.”

The main stage features literally the cream of the Sunderland-based crop. The Futureheads will headline the event, after the success of their self-released third record This Is Not The World in 2008, the band have played some extremely high profile events, continuing to prove that their masterful blend of excitable pop punk is second to none. Hopefully they’ll be letting loose some new material alongside the old favourites. Field Music also join the party, in what will be their first gig since announcing their hiatus in 2007. The simply masterful musicians will no doubt amaze and delight with their new material – their third highly anticipated album is tentatively scheduled for an early 2010 release.

It wouldn’t be a party without B>E>A>K to liven up proceedings and the be-feathered noiseniks will be on hand to strut their funky stuff, while new kids on the block Frankie And The Heartstrings have taken time out of their busy schedule of music videos, BBC airplay and generally receiving country-wide critical acclaim, to play in their hometown – if you’ve not caught them yet, this will be a seminal performance. Opening the stage’s musical proceedings are Sea Of Glass, who bring their infectious ambient indie rock to the table.

Baby sister to the main stage, but by no means less impressive, the NARC. stage is chock full of North East gems too. Legendary punk band Penetration headline proceedings, the County Durham-based band have enjoyed wide admiration as one of the country’s seminal punk bands and, since their reformation in 2001, have continued to prove that they’re a compelling live act. Joining them are noisy post-punkers Coal Train, containing members of the much-loved This Aint Vegas; the widely admired lo-fi stylings of Milky Wimpshake; ramshackle folk pop from O’Messy Life; experimental pop from Jeans goes POP!; and powerful atmospheric rock from Sona Di.

It’s not just music that will be showcased at the event. The day will be kicked off by some of the North East’s top new and upcoming comedy talents. Top MC Tony Jameson, fresh from his brilliant debut show at the Edinburgh Fringe will introduce Nick Cranston, Andy Fury and John Whale to entertain the crowd and get the laughter flowing.

“It’s a great opportunity,” says Sunderland lad Nick Cranston. “Not only to play on my home turf but also to show that the North East has the best new comedy talent in the country. I’ve been in comedy only a short time and to be supporting the likes of The Futureheads, Field Music and Coal Train at this point is very exciting.”

All the comedians have already been touted as stars of the future, storming gigs up and down the UK so it promises to be an electric start to the afternoon.

Tickets cost £19.50 in advance and are available from Ashbrooke Sports Club, Hot Rats Sunderland, SUN FM, Sunderland Echo, See Tickets (www.seetickets.com), A Love Supreme (www.a-love-supreme.com) and RPM Records Newcastle.

Please note, there are no tickets for sale on the day of the event and only pre-purchased tickets will be accepted!

For further information please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.ashbrookesports.com