THE Split Festival, one of the region's biggest music events, will return to Sunderland on August 9 and 10, and host home-grown acts such as School of Language, Gallery Circus, Lilliput, and Hyde and Beast play alongside headliners Dizzee Rascal, The Cribs and Maximo Park.

Ross Millard, who curates the event says: "The area has a great track record of producing successful musicians, and the only way to ensure that this continues is by supporting it with platforms like Split Festival. It acts as a great introduction to the big stage for most local artists, and the notion of performing alongside some of their heroes is not lost on most of the local groups that perform at Split.”

Since 2009, Split Festival has earned a reputation as a festival that takes pride in promoting home-grown talent and local bands.

Having moved from its former Ashbrooke home, to Sunderland's Mowbray Park, Saturday August 9 will see The Lake Poets return to Split Festival. The Sunderland-based band has supported the likes of Jake Bugg and Ben Howard and played sold-out shows at prestigious venues and major festivals such as Glastonbury and T in the Park.

Hailing from South Tyneside, Gallery Circus are a twin rock duo who will also be playing the BBC Introducing Stage at this year’s Glastonbury Festival. The identical twin brothers, Daniel and Graeme Ross are quickly establishing a reputation for their blues rock sound.

Graeme says: "We can't wait to play the festival - this will be our first one. It’s great how the North East has an event like this which allows local artists to be showcased and provides an opportunity for greater national exposure."

splitfestival.comtickets are priced at £30 per day, £50 weekend. Under 11s go free with a paying adult.