Sunderland City Council has commissioned a brand-new city-wide anthem and music video project, Open Arms, as part of One Big Summer – the wraparound programme celebrating BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend coming to Sunderland.
Led by Sunderland’s own young girl band Northern Daughters and delivered by I-Stage Group (ISG), Open Arms will bring together schools, community groups, businesses and residents to create a powerful shared moment of pride, welcome and celebration – and a lasting digital legacy for the city.
At the heart of the project is an original song, “Open Arms,” written and performed by Northern Daughters, celebrating Sunderland’s people, culture and energy with a message of inclusion and welcome.
The song will be released and available on all major streaming platforms on Friday 22nd May.
Community invited: flashmob-style performance and official music video
Sunderland organisations and residents are being invited to take part in a large flashmob-style performance in the city centre, which will be filmed as part of the official Open Arms music video.
Flashmob-style performance details
- Date: Saturday 23rd May
- Time: 3:00pm (participants are asked to arrive in Keel Square before 3:00pm)
- Location: Keel Square, Sunderland
In the lead-up to the event, ISG and Northern Daughters will be visiting schools and community groups across Sunderland to teach the Open Arms chorus and a simple, inclusive routine designed to be accessible and adaptable for all ages and abilities.
Participants can also view and practice the choreography online via Northern Daughters’ TikTok.
Paul Waite, Founder & CEO, I-Stage Group (ISG), said: “Open Arms is about bringing Sunderland together – creating something joyful, inclusive and genuinely city-wide. We’re proud to be delivering this with Northern Daughters and we’d love schools, businesses, community groups and residents to join us in Keel Square and be part of the official music video.”
Northern Daughters said: “We can’t wait to share Open Arms with Sunderland. This is our home, and we want as many people as possible to be part of it – learning the chorus, joining the routine, and showing everyone what Sunderland is all about.”
How to get involved
Schools, businesses and community groups based in Sunderland who would like to take part are encouraged to get in touch.
To register interest, email: enquiries@istagegroup.com
