Preview: MCN Live: Sunderland

Sunderland Music City brings three local artists together with three international acts for MCN Live: Sunderland — a free showcase at Independent on Friday 19th June, forming part of Summit Week and the final weekend of Sunderland’s Year of Music.

The night pairs Sunderland’s Patrick Gosling, spacecadetbloom and Prospect of Power with artists from fellow Music Cities Network member cities, Migluma (Vilnius), Lemony Rug (Hamburg) and Velocity Made Good (Netherlands), creating a one‑off international exchange in the venue’s 20th‑anniversary year.

MCN Live sits within Summit Week Sunderland, the public programme surrounding the Music Cities Network Summer Summit — hosted in the UK for the first time — which brings global delegates to the city to explore how music shapes thriving, connected places.

Ben Richardson from Independent Sunderland said, “We’re over the moon to be hosting this groundbreaking event in Sunderland. Amongst the grassroots music scene, I think this was always a hope from the Sunderland Music City initiative and now it’s coming to fruition.

“Hopefully this show can lead the way for more live collaboration across the Music Cities Network and see future opportunities for Sunderland artists continue to grow.”

Frankie Francis, Sunderland Music City Officer adds, “This event is a brilliant example of what Sunderland Music City is all about, creating opportunities for local artists while building meaningful international connections through music.
We’re proud to welcome delegates and musicians from around the world to Sunderland during such an important moment for the city’s musical journey, and we hope these collaborations open doors for future touring, partnerships and exchange long after Summit Week ends.”

Tickets are free and available here.