Two days of incredible live music from legendary UK bands are set to rock Wolverhampton next summer as the city hosts the first ever Creation Day festival.

Happy Mondays, Editors, Ash, Echo & the Bunnymen, Black Grape and Sleeper are just some of the acts set to take to the stage in West Park over the weekend of May 29 and 30, 2021.

Creation Day festival forms part of City of Wolverhampton Council’s ongoing commitment to relight the city, help boost the local economy and offer high-profile events to attract visitors.

The two-day event has been organised by the council in partnership with Toura Toura Festivals and Alan McGee, founder of the iconic Creation Records label.

Alan formed Creation Records in 1983 and it went on to become one of the key labels in 80s and 90s indie music. Over the years, he has worked with such major acts as Primal Scream, The Jesus and Mary Chain and Oasis.

Next year’s festival will see stars from Creation Records join forces with other well-known bands to perform their biggest hits from 12.30pm to 10.45pm.

Bands playing on Saturday are Happy Mondays, Echo & the Bunnymen, Cast, Black Grape and Echobelly as well as new artists Shambolics, The Clockworks and The Illicits.

The line-up includes a Creation Day exclusive as it will be the first time that frontman Shaun Ryder has performed with his two bands, Happy Mondays and Black Grape, at one festival.

Acts lined up for Sunday are Editors, Friendly Fires, Ash, Sleeper, Glasvegas, The Wedding Present as well as up and coming performers Heavy Lungs, Cat SFX and Marquis Drive.

Editors met when they were studying Music Technology at Staffordshire University and gigged around the Midlands before receiving Mercury Prize and Brit Awards nominations.

Other attractions at the two-day event include a fairground and a wide variety of food and drink stalls. Support for festival goers with access requirements will be available.

Speaking about the brand-new Creation Day festival, Alan McGee said: "I’m looking forward to this one, some of the best old bands with some of the best new bands. I can’t wait to come and bring it all to Wolverhampton.

"Creation Day is the first time we have done anything like this since doing it for the kids. Hopefully we can do this every year.”

Today’s announcement, which comes hot on the heels of the news that West Park is to be the location for the start and finish of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games cycling trial, was welcomed by City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, Councillor Ian Brookfield.

He said: “Creation Day promises to be a fantastic festival and a great boost for our city. We’re committed to offering a range of fantastic events and we’re keen to show our visitors what Wolverhampton has to offer.

“We have a long and proud history of showcasing great music and this new festival promises to add to this tradition. With the current refurbishment of our Civic and Wulfrun Halls, it’s clear that Wolverhampton is a key destination for music lovers.

“Creation Day is something for us to look forward to and just one of the ways in which we are working to attract people to our city, boost our local economy and help Wolverhampton rest, recover and relight.”

Councillor Steve Evans, Cabinet Member for City Environment, added: “We are delighted to be working again with Alan, who joined us earlier this year as part of the city’s literary festival.

“This is the first time we will be holding this event and we’re aiming to make it a great experience for our local residents as well as music fans from further afield.

“Like all events of this nature, Creation Day needs to be planned many months in advance. It will be fully risk assessed to reflect the latest safety requirements at the time of the festival."

Due to the ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) situation, the festival may be subject to change. Tickets will be on sale in a limited capacity, this will be reviewed over time and more tickets may be released depending on national guidance.

To find out more about Creation Day visit www.creationdayfestival.com