Former Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti Pellow is set to headline a new North East festival, Opulence at Lumley Castle, on Friday, September 4, 2026. The Scottish singer, known for iconic hits like Love is All Around, Sweet Little Mystery, and Goodnight Girl, has revealed a deep connection to the region, particularly the seaside town of Seaham in County Durham.
Childhood Memories of Seaham
Pellow shared that his fondness for the North East stems from 'magical' holidays he spent there as a child. 'Some of my earliest memories go back to holidays in Seaham in County Durham when I was a kid,' he said. 'I absolutely fell in love with that part of the world, there's something magical about the coastline and the people that has stayed with me ever since.' He added that during the Wet Wet Wet years, he was 'lucky enough to come back time and time again.'
Excitement for Lumley Castle Performance
The singer also expressed enthusiasm for performing at Lumley Castle, a 600-year-old venue. 'We play wonderful venues all over the country, but getting the chance to perform somewhere with so much history and character is incredibly exciting,' Pellow said. 'It's not every day you find yourself singing against the backdrop of a 600-year-old castle, and I can't wait to see it all come together.'
Opulence Festival Line-Up
Opulence, a two-day festival, promises 80s and 90s icons and house DJs. Alongside Pellow on Friday, September 4, will be singer Gabrielle. Saturday, September 5, features dance acts including Groove Armada, Danny Howard, Lovely Laura, and Alison Limerick.
Wet Wet Wet's Legacy
Wet Wet Wet's cover of Love is All Around, featured in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral, spent 15 weeks at number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1994, becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time in the UK. The band's success also included hits like Sweet Little Mystery and Goodnight Girl.
Pellow's headline performance at Opulence marks a return to a region that holds special meaning for him, blending personal nostalgia with a historic venue.
