Amazing line-up and new sponsor unveiled for city’s Utilita Creation Day Festival

A fantastic line-up of major legendary and current bands - and a brand-new sponsor - have today (9 September 2021) been announced for Wolverhampton’s first ever Utilita Creation Day festival.

IDLES, Happy Mondays, Echo & the Bunnymen, Friendly Fires, Cast, Ash and Black Grape are just some of the acts set to take to the stage in West Park over the weekend of May 28 and 29 2022.

And the festival has been given a major boost thanks to a three-year partnership with Utilita, one of the UK’s leading Smart PAYG Energy suppliers.

The festival is a new venture for the city and forms part of City of Wolverhampton Council’s ongoing commitment to re-light the city, help boost the local economy and offer high-profile events to attract visitors.

The two-day event has been organised by the council in partnership with Toura Toura Festivals and Alan McGee, founder of the iconic Creation Records label.

Alan formed Creation Records in 1983 and it went on to become one of the key labels in 80s and 90s indie music. Over the years, he has worked with such major acts as Primal Scream, The Jesus and Mary Chain and Oasis.

Next year’s festival will see stars from Creation Records join forces with other well-known bands to perform their biggest hits.

Performers playing on Saturday are rock band IDLES, Echo & the Bunnymen, Cast, Glasvegas and Echobelly as well as new artists Shambolics, The Illicits and Clockworks.

Acts lined up for Sunday are 90s legends Happy Mondays, Friendly Fires, Ash, Black Grape, Sleeper, The Wedding Present as well as up and coming performers Marquis Drive, Grandma’s House and Cat SFX.

The line-up includes a Utilita Creation Day Festival exclusive as it will be the first time that frontman Shaun Ryder has performed with his two bands, Happy Mondays and Black Grape, at one festival.

Other attractions at the two-day event include a fairground and a wide variety of food and drink stalls. Support for festival goers with access requirements will be available.

Utilita Creation Day Festival had originally been planned for May 2021, but organisers decided to move the date due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic to ensure music lovers could enjoy the event safely and to the full.

Alan McGee said: “I'm very pleased to be asked again by City of Wolverhampton Council & Toura Toura Festivals to curate the Utilita Creation Day Festival 2022.

“It’s great to see that most of the bands that missed out on playing due to Covid restrictions this year, have all agreed to come back and play in 2022 with the fantastic addition of IDLES."

Councillor Steve Evans, City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for city environment and climate change, said: “I am delighted that we are able to announce the line-up for our first ever Utilita Creation Day Festival, and that we have been able to secure a three-year sponsorship deal for the event.

“We have some fantastic names on the bill and it promises to be an amazing attraction to look forward to in 2022.

“After the past year, we’ve all needed a light at the end of the tunnel and we all deserve a chance to enjoy ourselves. For fans of great music, Utilita Creation Day Festival offers that opportunity.

“It’s also one of the ways we can boost our city economy and show our visitors the fantastic events we have to offer. With the festival, the Commonwealth Games cycling trial, the opening of the refurbished Civic Halls and the Cazoo Players Championship for snooker fans, 2022 is certainly shaping up to be a very exciting events year.”

Jem Maidment, Utilita’s Chief Marketing Officer, said: “As a long-time backer, we understand the social, cultural and economic importance of the UK’s live music industry – and the battering it has taken during the pandemic. That’s why we are truly thrilled to be playing a part in its recovery by sponsoring the most exciting new festival of the decade.

“Sharing your love of live music, it’s wonderful to be working with one of the industry’s most iconic figures in Alan McGee. Music fans in the Black Country are in for a real treat in 2022.

“We’re also delighted to be partnering with City of Wolverhampton Council to work on green initiatives. They share our vision around what we want to deliver in the wider community, from energy efficiency campaigns to support for local food banks and staff volunteering programmes.”

Existing tickets for the festival will automatically transfer to the 2022 event. Customers who would like a refund or wish to move their tickets between days can request a refund from Ticketmaster directly via My Account and then rebook.

To keep up to date with news on the Utilita Creation Day Festival visit www.creationdayfestival.com or follow Utilita Creation Day Festival on social media.