Michael Schenker announced as Northern Kin 2025 headliner

The event - taking place at Thornley Hall Farm for the second time - will kick off on the weekend of August 1 to 3 next year with three stages of blues, rock, folk, pop and indie music. 

Several big names have already been announced for the event, including Ultravox front man Midge Ure, Folk singer Newton Faulkner, Fisherman’s Friends, The Undertone’s Elvana and local favourites Hayley McKay and Thieves of Liberty.

Northern Kin (Image: Adam Kennedy)

Now, festival bosses have announced that German guitarist Michael Schenker will be headlining Saturday night of the event. 

Michael was an early member of the Scorpions, before joining UFO in the mid-1970s.

He went on to form the Michael Schenker Group (MSG) back in 1979, laying the foundations for one of hard rock’s most glorious solo careers of all times.

The current lineup for Northern Kin 2025 (Image: Northern Kin)

The 65-year-old is now set to bring his same swagger, verve and dizzying artistry to the Durham festival next summer, with organisers promising even more names - as well as more headliners - joining the lineup in the coming weeks. 

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Northern Kin's 2025 edition will mark the seventh time the festival has been held. 

Created by a dedicated team of live music fans, Northern Kin will play host to more than 40 bands and artists across the three big stages, with lots of things to see and do. 

Tickets on sale now from www.northernkinfestival.co.uk.