Dorks for a day in Carlisle

By Peter Edwards

YOUNG pop-rockers Son of Dork are the latest big name to be confirmed for Carlisle’s pop2thepark concert.

They will join the five million-selling Sugababes, Europe’s biggest girl group, on the bill at the Bitts Park event next month.

Son of Dork haven’t lived up to their geek-inspired name – they’ve already carved out a niche with their cool brand of guitar-tinged tunes such as debut single Ticket Outta Loserville.

The top three hit was followed in November by their first album, Welcome to Loserville and this year they recorded the title track for the recent Ant and Dec film, Alien Autopsy.

The five-piece are fronted by ex-Busted star, singer and guitarist James Bourne and Steve Rushton singer and bass guitarist.

Bourne was inspired to take up the guitar after hearing a recording of grunge band Nirvana’s seminal anthem, Smells Like Teen Spirit.

He wrote his first song aged just nine-years-old and hit the big time with Busted, who were acclaimed for abandoning boyband lip-synching and playing their own songs.

Joining Son of Dork at the Sunday, August 7 event, organised by Carlisle City Council, will be Scandinavian three-man electro outfit Lorraine.

They’ve just been confirmed as the main support for the Pet Shop Boys at three summer concerts and are due to play the V Festival in August.

I Feel It was their first release in March and Time Out magazine described it as the “greatest single of 2006”.

Carlisle-born Emmerdale star Roxanne Pallett will also be performing at the show. She won plaudits for her singing when she finished fourth on ITV1’s Soapstar Superstar.

Mike Mitchelson, leader of the council, says: “pop2thpark is guaranteed to be a fantastic show. The line-up will include some of the UK’s top pop bands and rising stars.

“We’ve set tickets at a price that means nobody needs to miss this opportunity for a great day out, particularly if you take advantage of the great discounted offer for buying in advance.”

Tickets are available by phoning the Sands Centre box office on 01228 625222, by visiting www.thesandscentre.co.uk, in person from the Sands, Carlisle’s Tourist Information Centre and from the News & Star offices in Whitehaven and Workington.

Tickets cost £12.50 if bought prior to the event and £15 on the day.