UFO and Scorpion’s legendary guitarist Michael Schenker has been announced asthe Saturday Night headliner for Durham’s Northern Kin Festival 2025.
After two phenomenal records under the guise of Michael Schenker Fest, a trueguitar hero is returning to his roots. By forming Michael Schenker Group (MSG) backin 1979, Michael Schenker laid the foundations for one of hard rock’s most glorioussolo careers of all times. And while nobody expected anything less from a formerguitarist for Scorpions and UFO, it’s close to impossible mentioning everythingMichael has built over the past 50 years, or the countless people he influenced orplayed with. This, truly, is the stuff that hard rocking myths are made of.
“I never looked back”, is how Michael dryly sums up an extraordinary career. Due tothis mindset, he only realised much later what a huge impact his playing had madeon the world of metal and hard rock. Very few guitarists can be cited as a primaryinfluence for the likes of James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Dave Mustaine, DimebagDarrell, Slash or Kerry King. However, to understand Michael Schenker means tounderstand one primary thing: he’s not here to be worshipped or adored, he’s nothere to get rich, he’s here to play. And at 65, he’s doing it with the same swagger,verve and dizzying artistry as always.
Towering above them all, Michael Schenker and his guitar prove they’re truly andutterly invincible. The celebrated icon pulls out all the stops including his legendary“howler”, the fabled magnet he’s used on his fingerboard for a while now.
Taking place at Thornley Hall Farm, Durham, for the second time, on the weekend ofAugust 1st -3rd 2025, Northern Kin Festival is three stages of blues, rock, folk, pop andindie music across generations. Also announced so far is Ultravox front man MidgeUre, Folk singer Newton Faulkner, Fisherman’s Friends, The Undertone’s, Elvanaand local favourites Hayley McKay and Thieves of Liberty.
Organisers have promised more line up news in the coming weeks including more headliners. Tickets on sale now from www.northernkinfestival.co.uk
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