A world famous club brand and some of the UK’s best known DJs will be performing at the North East’s biggest festival this summer. Hardwick Live Festival takes place at Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield from 17 – 18 August with a star-studded line-up topped by Manic Street Preachers and James. And now organisers have announced that one of the biggest club night favourites, Glitterbox, will be entertaining festival-goers in an exciting new arena. This year, the hotel’s Coachhouse Courtyard will be transformed into a dance arena, giving music fans even more choice over the weekend. And Glitterbox, which started in Ibiza in 2014 and is known for its eccentric performers and extravagant production, will take over the Courtyard on Saturday from 12:00 noon until 11:00pm. Renowned as “the world’s most flamboyant and hedonistic parties”, Glitterbox has made its name by bringing together the globe’s most talented DJs. DJ and producer Joey Negro – who is best known for his Remixed With Love compilations and is widely regarded as being one of the forefathers of UK dance music – will be headlining Saturday, having just returning from a sell-out tour in Australia. And fans heading to the new arena on Saturday will also enjoy a set from Horse Meat Disco, who describe themselves as a “queer party for everyone” and have long been a key fixture at festivals including Glastonbury and Festival No.6. Completing the line-up is The Shapeshifters, best known for the single Lola’s Theme, as well as other hits including When Love Breaks Down and Try My Love (On For Size), and Melvo Baptiste – who is famed for his high energy DJ sets. Then on Sunday 18 August the space will be the residence of Retro, which has been selling out club nights and attracting thousands of music fans around the UK and in the Balearic Islands since 1989. Retro’s line-up for Sunday will welcome headliner Jeremy Healy, who has toured everywhere from Ibiza to Bali and headlined events for some of the biggest club brands in the world. Fans will also hear sets from Retro creator, Paul Taylor, producer and DJ Brandon Block, former resident DJ at the The Haçienda, John Dasilva, Allister Whitehead – widely regarded as one of the UK’s most prolific house DJs – and Chris Bungoni, who has played at venues across the UK. The line-up for this summer’s event includes a number of big-name acts, with The Zutons, Stiff Little Fingers, Sister Sledge feat Kathy Sledge, The Sherlocks, Lisa Stansfield, Ziggy Marley, Billy Bragg and A Certain Ratio all performing on the main stage across the weekend. Tickets for this year’s Hardwick Live Festival are currently on sale at £55 for one day or £99 for both days. Concessions are available for children and 13-17 year olds. Camping and glamping options are also available for those who want to immerse themselves in the festival experience. More acts will be announced over the coming weeks. For more information or to book tickets, visit www.hardwicklive.co.uk