First act confirmed for Blackpool iFest Switch-On Friday spectacular

Top British pop band, The Vamps, have been confirmed as the headline act for VisitBlackpool’s 2015 Blackpool iFest Friday night switch-on event.

The Vamps are huge growing stars on the UK music scene.

Since 2013 they have scored a multi-Platinum debut album, sold over two million singles, had five Top 10 singles in the UK, won multiple awards (including three at the Radio 1 Teen Awards), graced the covers of some of the biggest magazines, played many sold out shows and tours, caused pandemonium everywhere they visited – and the good news is they’re just getting started!
 
They have picked up a phenomenal following online.

The Vamps have a staggering 154 million views on their YouTube channel, and almost a million subscribers.

The music videos for their singles are some of the most watched on YouTube; Can We Dance has clocked up over 31 million views, Wild Heart over 19 million, Last Night over 17
million, Somebody To You over 55 million and Oh Cecilia (Breaking My Heart), featuring Shawn Mendes, over 19 million.

And that’s not to mention 4.4 million likes on Facebookand 2.9 million followers on Twitter. 

They are the first names confirmed for the biggest event of Blackpool’s year, the Blackpool iFest Illuminations Friday night Switch-On (Friday September 4) which will see the resort’s famous Lights switched on for the first time marking the start of the annual Illuminations season.

The special guest Switch-On star and other special guests will be confirmed soon.

Cllr Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to confirm The Vamps as headliners for our Blackpool iFest Friday night Switch-On event.

“They are huge names on the UK music scene and the incredible numbers they generate in terms of interest show what a massive following they bring with them.

“We will be announcing more names, including special guests and our Switch-On star, soon.”

The Friday night Switch-On kicks off an exciting weekend of events at the Blackpool Tower Festival Headland between Friday 4 and Sunday 6 September with something for everyone to enjoy.

The Saturday night of the Blackpool iFest weekend will feature a line-up of chart-topping pop stars in association with Sky’s Vintage TV channel.

The line-up includes Bananarama, Jason Donovan and Paul Young, and will be hosted by TV and radio star, Pat Sharp.

Then on Sunday, some of the coolest names in British comedy will take to the stage, with one of the most recognisable and successful comics in the UK, Al Murray – The Pub Landlord, hosting and headlining the show alongside the likes of Chris Ramsey, Alun Cochrane, Tiff Stevenson, Carl Hutchinson and Craig Campbell.

Tickets, priced at £15 for each of the Saturday and Sunday shows, and are on sale now and a £30 weekend festival pass is also on sale.

The first 5,000 people to buy a £30 weekend festival pass will guarantee themselves free entry to the big Friday night switch-on.

A ballot to win the remaining 15,000 tickets for the FREE Friday night event is also now open at www.visitblackpool.com/switchon with a maximum of four tickets per household available so register now!

To ensure everyone is in with a chance to win a ticket for Friday’s Switch-On, VisitBlackpool have extended the registration until 31 July so register now.

Last year, around 80,000 people applied for tickets to attend the spectacular Friday night event which featured an incredible line-up of stars including Britain’s biggest girl band, Little Mix, Pixie Lott, Union J, George Ezra and the big Switch-On by superstar comedian, Peter Kay.

The Blackpool iFest line-up so far

Friday 4 September

Top British band, The Vamps, have been confirmed as the headline acts for VisitBlackpool’s 2015 Blackpool iFest Friday night Switch-On event.  More acts will be announced shortly.

Saturday 5 September

Legendary Fun House presenter Pat Sharp is set to bring “a whole lot of fun” to Blackpool iFest’s Saturday night show which is being held in association with Sky’s Vintage TV.

The TV and radio star will welcome top vintage pop names to the stage including Bananarama Jason Donovan, Paul Young, Limahl, Owen Paul and T-Pau for a night that is sure to have a fun, party feel.

Sunday 6 September

Al Murray – The Pub Landlord brings comedy to Blackpool’s newest piece of public art – the Comedy Carpet – for the first time ever.

The event will feature an hour-long set from Murray as well as performances from a number of other leading stand-up stars, including Chris Ramsey, Alun Cochrane, Tiff Stevenson, Carl Hutchinson and Craig Campbell.

The 2200 metre squared Comedy Carpet, which features iconic jokes and catchphrases from the most famous names in the comedy world, will make up a large part of the arena floor at the Blackpool Tower Festival Headland.

Ticketing

Weekend tickets and Saturday and Sunday tickets are on sale from SEE Tickets, Ticketmaster and the VisitBlackpool Tourist Information Centre.  Tickets are priced £15 or a weekend ticket for £30.  To buy tickets, go to:

www.seetickets.com or telephone 0871 220 0260 calls cost 10p per minute plus standard network charges.

www.ticketmaster.co.uk/ifest or telephone 0844 453 9038 calls cost 7p per minute plus standard network charges.

www.visitblackpool.com/shop or Tel: 01253 478222

VIP Hospitality

Blackpool iFest are working with The Sands Venue to create a fantastic VIP package for each night of the weekend.  To book your VIP package or find out more, please contact The Sands on 01253 625262 or email: [email protected]  or go to www.the-sands-blackpool.co.uk

Friday night ballot registration

Registration is now open for the ballot for tickets to the Friday night Switch-On event.

People can now put their name in the hat by registering at www.visitblackpool.com/switchon for their chance to win up to four tickets per household.

Last year, around 80,000 people applied for one of the 20,000 wristbands to attend the free Friday night event.

A total of 8,000 of these wristbands are being made available to Blackpool residents from an FY postcode – an increase of 2,000 on last year.

For more information on the Blackpool iFest Switch-On Festival Weekend and to register to be the first to hear about Friday’s Switch-On celebrations, go to www.visitblackpool.com/switchon