Ross Millard

Best-known for being part of The Futureheads, one of Sunderland's most successful bands, Ross Millard is well embedded in the city's music scene.

He is also one of those behind the successful Summer Streets Festival, which has been running for over a decade.

"Sunderland's always had a massively healthy music scene, it's definitely a music city," said Ross.

"In the last four or five years we have had an influx of really good venue spaces as well, so all of a sudden we've got places like Pop Recs, The Fire Station, Independent and The Peacock, so as part of a music circuit touring bands are coming to Sunderland. It's really vibrant these days.

"Sunderland now is a place that is on that live circuit, so you can probably see a live band every night of the week if you wanted to."  

The evolution of the music and events scene in Sunderland comes at a time when the city centre is seeing unprecedented investment, with developments progressing apace.

"The transformation that this city is on is amazing, it's kind of incredible," added Ross.

"When I think back to being 18 or 20 years old, the idea that this city would be where it is now, with the facilities, resources and organisations working here now - plus the things that are on the horizon - it would have just blown my mind.

"I think the future's really bright, I think the present's really bright to be honest. It's a city where you can come and make things happen and do things, there are things to get involved in and there's a lot going on that you can see and enjoy."