‘Public Record’ saw a cast of more than 100 people from all sides of the community join forces to document for posterity the past, present and future of the city. There were four performances over three days in front of packed crowds at Sunderland’s Fire Station this weekend.
The concept was to record an album, consisting of 12 tracks that define what it is to live, work, laugh, and cry together in Sunderland.
At the centre of the show was the ‘community company’, a diverse group of people of all ages, from 93 to just a few hours old (yes, really), and from a range of backgrounds and cultures – from born and bred Mackems to people who only recently arrived in the city.
Their common bond was their love of their city, which was the beating heart of a remarkable performance that nobody who was there will ever forget.
A house band, anchored by Ross Millard of Sunderland band The Futureheads and featuring Peter and David Brewis of Field Music with keyboardist Sarah Hayes, was present throughout, while the set pieces were performed largely on the dancefloor.
Accomplished young singer Lily Mac got things underway with the opening number, appropriately titled ‘An Opening’, and what followed was a series of set pieces which essentially amounted to an extended love song to Sunderland.
A selection of recordings of the ‘Sounds of Sunderland’ familiar to anyone who has lived in or visited the city over the last 100 years or so resounded round the auditorium, the venue’s superb acoustics living up to their reputation.
Individual voices were heard throughout, with members of the community explaining who they are and their relationship with the city.
A cast of more than 100 people, many drawn from the local community, took part in the performance (Image: LUKE WADDINGTON)
In ‘Marriage Certificate’, a series of performers, young and old, came forward to give their name and date of birth and explained how they came to live in Sunderland. One young man told how he was born in Newcastle – ‘don’t hurt me’ he said to the partisan but good-natured crowd.
This section also included one of the most poignant moments, with the sound of a crying baby interrupting proceedings. This, it was explained, was a baby born that morning at Sunderland Royal Hospital and recorded by a midwife – the newest and youngest member of the community company.
This was followed by the company and members of the audience reciting their hopes for the new baby’s future.
The most moving section was ‘Tribute Act’, a song which had been performed at the opening night of the Fire Station by Faye Fantarrow, a shining star of Sunderland’s music scene, who sadly passed away in 2023 after being diagnosed with brain cancer. The song was performed beautifully by four young female singers.
A tribute to Faye Fantarrow was one of the most moving tracks in the Public Record performance at Sunderland’s Fire Station venue (Image: LUKE WADDINGTON)
Above all, this was an uplifting show, with exuberant dance and music, and audience participation was an integral part of the show.
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‘Death Certificate’ was a billet doux to the lost nightspots and music venues of Sunderland, while ‘A Lovesong’ saw folk artist Dave Murray lead the crowd in a version of Sunderland football anthem ‘Can’t Help falling in Love’, and ‘Karaoke’ featured a rousing rendition of Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’.
The idea was for the performanceto be recorded and stored in the sound archive of the British Library and in Sunderland Museum for posterity.
What future generations will hear is the vibrant sound of a city’s people determined to express their pride in their community. This was a very special event.
Public Record was essentially a love song from the people of Sunderland to their city (Image: LUKE WADDINGTON)
