Organisers of festival vow 'best one yet'

EVENT EXPECTED TO DRAW THOUSANDS OF VISITORS

- By NAMONI CORRIGAN

A FESTIVAL boss has recounted the tale of how a garden party over a decade ago has grown into one of the biggest events on Teesside’s calendar.

Organisers of this year’s Hardwick Festival have promised “the best one yet” as they announce new additions to the weekend-long event now in its 11th year.

This summer's festival will feature a jam-packed line-up of superstar music icons as well as up-and-coming local bands, playing across seven stages in the stunning parkland of Hardwick Hall where thousands will gather this August.

Hardwick Hall owner and founder of the event, John Adamson, reminisced on previous years, while revealing exciting new plans for the forthcoming festival. He said the plans have been in the running for months and they're expecting the 2025 gig to be the best so far.

John said he remains stunned by the growth and success of the festival, which started in 2013 as a one-day garden party with 4,000 people. Now spread across three days, the festival welcomes 30,000 visitors from all over the country.

“When you look back at it over the last 11 years - we started this in 2013 with Alison Moyet, Texas and Jools Holland, I honestly didn’t expect it to grow to this,” he said. “The festival has evolved and grown year on year and we've had some unbelievable acts such as Snow Patrol, the Stereophonics and Noel Gallagher.

“The Jacksons were my favourite. Still to this day a lot of people ask me was it a tribute!

“What's happened with the festival is the passion has grown and it’s become embedded in the community. It’s amazing when I’m in Sedgefield and people say, ‘I can’t believe this is on here in our little village in County Durham! It’s going from strength to strength and I feel it’s great that the North East people have this on their doorstep.”