aaamusic | On 31, Mar 2011

Sunderland’s finest rock band The Futureheads will be headlining this year’s Cloud 9. From Leeds is The Sunshine Underground, Manchester’s hi-energy indie pop stars The Answering Machine, and all the way from Italy are Too Young To Love offering a psychedelic dream pop extravaganza. Added to the main stage Huw Stephens favourite – Rotating Leslie.

Founded by local resident Martin Wheelton and his team two years ago, it’s a homegrown event built on live music, dance DJ’s with good old-fashioned guitar-strumming and drum-bashing. Now in its third year and growing to 5,000 capacity for ALL AGES Cloud 9 is a community festival with more stages and entertainment than ever before.

Less than an hour from Manchester, Liverpool, Chester and Birmingham and only 90 minutes from Sheffield, Leeds and Nottingham!

This year’s festival supports C.A.L.M (Campaign Against Living Miserably) is a charity reg no 1110621 set up in response to the high suicide rate among young men, currently the biggest killer of men under the age of 35. It is a campaign and charity set up for and on behalf of young men.  Most men who kill themselves aren’t in contact with any other agency.  And to be blunt, they don’t identify with much out there. When asked, what they indicated they wanted was practical, anonymous, confidential help from professionals. Which is why CALM was formed.

What is it Cloud 9 all about? As one of the organiser’s Hannah explains; “Cloud 9 has been growing year on year and we wanted to extend the fun to the entire community this year by ensuring it was an all ages event. With a hugely eclectic mix of music and activities we have ensured to keep ticket costs low so that as many people in the local area and come and enjoy everything we have to offer!’

So long live Summer on Cloud 9, and float on down.