Shame and Ibibio Sound Machine to headline Ipswich's Brighten the Corners

Shannon EustaceBBC News, Suffolk
News imageMatilda Hill Jenkins Members of Ibibio Sound MachineMatilda Hill Jenkins
Ibibio Sound Machine formed in 2013 and are fronted by London-born Nigerian singer Eno Williams (second from right)

A multi-venue music festival has announced its headline acts as Shame and Ibibio Sound Machine.

Brighten the Corners will return to Ipswich for two days in June, with ticketed and free-to-attend stages.

Artists will perform across multiple venues including The Baths, St Stephen's Church and The Smokehouse.

Director Joe Bailey said: "We hope this festival will be where our audiences will find their new favourite band and experience live music at its best."

News imagePooneh Ghana The five band members of ShamePooneh Ghana
Shame's third album - Food for Worms - received critical acclaim following its release in February 2023

The festival was previously known as Sound City Ipswich but has been running independently since 2023.

South London-based Shame, who will play on Saturday, are described by the organisers as "a post-punk band with a passionate, political viewpoint", while Friday headliners Ibibio Sound Machine have been inspired by "the golden era of West-African funk and disco".

Mr Bailey continued: "To have such celebrated names as our headliners is amazing. It's going to be a huge weekend for the town."

News imageOli Ford A crown in front of a BTS stage on the Cornhill in IpswichOli Ford
Brighten the Corners will once again hold a stage on Ipswich's Cornhill

Other acts set to perform include Hot Chip's frontman Alexis Taylor, rapper and producer Jay Prince, Lambrini Girls, Folly Group and DJ Nabihah Iqbal.

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