Hartlepool Waterfront Festival is REBORN

Published Friday, 23rd July 2021

The Hartlepool Waterfront Festival will make its highly-anticipated return next month with its boldest programme yet.

The flagship event, organised by Hartlepool Borough Council, will take place on the weekend of Saturday/Sunday August 28th and 29th from 2-10pm at The Waterfront, adjacent to the town’s marina.

Tickets can be booked at www.hartlepoolwaterfrontfestival.com and the festival will operate on a “pay-what-you-decide” basis, with visitors being asked to pay after the event based on the experience they have had.

This year’s theme is “REBIRTH” and there will be a wide range of arts, music and entertainment, both in the real world and online.

With the countdown well underway, organisers have announced three new key attractions – two of the best bands in the business and a unique piece of outdoor art.

Prior to and during the festival (August 20th-30th), internationally renowned artist Luke Jerram will take over Seaton Carew beach with his new touring artwork In Memoriam, a temporary memorial to all those lost during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The installation will feature 120 flags made from NHS bed sheets arranged in the form of a medical logo. In Memoriam is also intended to be a tribute to NHS staff who have risked or lost their lives during the pandemic.

On Saturday August 28th, festival-goers will be able to relive one of the greatest albums of all time, live and in its entirety. Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours’ will be performed by Transatlantic Ensemble - a group of top, session musicians and outstanding, classically-trained vocalists - on the Moon Stage at The Waterfront. The show has sold out multiple dates across the UK to critical acclaim.

The following day, the Moon Stage will host a performance by The Futureheads, a post-punk band with a national following who have released five critically acclaimed albums, headlined countless tours and earned an NME Single of the Year accolade for their iconic cover of Kate Bush's 'Hounds of Love'.

Aaron Bowman, Event Manager at Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “We’re trying to cater for all tastes by offering something for people who are ready to party again, as well as those who might just prefer a period of quiet reflection.”

Councillor Shane Moore, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “After the many sacrifices local people have been required to make during the course of the pandemic, I am delighted that we are able to give them something to look forward to in the shape of the Hartlepool Waterfront Festival. It promises to be a great occasion and we can’t wait to welcome visitors again.”

The festival which has previously attracted crowds of up to 15,000, is being supported by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority with £30,000 as part of the Tees Valley Festivals 2021 Recovery Fund, which aims to help businesses, communities and visitors plan with confidence by investing in a vibrant, imaginative and responsible programme of festival activity.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “The past 18 months have been incredibly hard for all of us and we all need something to put a smile on our faces. That’s why we’ve been supporting fantastic events like this with my Festival Recovery Fund - to get people enjoying themselves and boosting tourism to our towns once again. The brilliant Waterfront Festival is a key date in the town’s events calendar and this year it has gone all-out to come back with a bang.”

For more information about the festival go to www.hartlepoolwaterfrontfestival.com