Sunderland girl band release hometown tribute

A rising Sunderland girl band is putting its hometown centre stage with the release of a new music video celebrating the city’s people, places and community spirit.

Northern Daughters have premiered the video for their debut single Open Arms, a community anthem celebrating unity and belonging, following a special screening at Sunderland City Hall.

The six-piece group, comprising Izzy Gettins, 14, Lola Waite, 14, Lola Cairns, 15, Annette Ambang, 15, Isabelle Dutton, 16, and Molly Daymond, 17, unveiled the video to an audience of family, friends, supporters and fans on October 14, ahead of its official release on October 16.

Filmed across Sunderland, the video sees the girls travel around the city aboard their own open-top Northern Daughters bus, provided by Go North East, visiting landmarks including the Stadium of Light, Winter Gardens, Penshaw Monument and Roker Lighthouse.

The release marks another milestone for the young performers, who have built a following of more than 135,000 across social media and generated over ten million likes on TikTok.

Open Arms was created through I-Stage Group’s community project of the same name, delivered in partnership with Sunderland City Council and part-funded by the Government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The project, which also received support from local businesses including video production company Canvas, was designed to bring young people, schools and communities together through music.

As part of the BBC Radio 1 Wrap Around programme, Northern Daughters visited 30 venues, businesses, schools and educational settings, reaching almost 6000 people in person and engaging more than 2000 students.

Activities included a flashmob during BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sunderland, which attracted more than 2000 people.

Councillor Ciera Hudspith, Sunderland City Council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and heritage, said: “Open Arms is a fantastic example of how culture and creativity can bring people together, create opportunities and celebrate the talent and spirit we have here in Sunderland.

“The song has become much more than a piece of music – it is a lasting legacy from BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, showing what can happen when local talent, schools and communities are given the chance to be part of something creative and ambitious.

“We were delighted to support the project through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, helping to ensure that the excitement around the weekend created something meaningful and lasting for communities across the city.”

Northern Daughters first met at Inspire Stage School, where the members have performed together for between three and ten years.

Their friendship and shared passion for music eventually developed into the band, whose songs explore issues affecting young people, including confidence, friendships, anxiety, relationships, mental health and social media pressures.

The group has enjoyed a busy year of performances, appearing at Sunderland’s New Year’s Eve concert, the Sunderland Young Achievers Awards, Sunderland Food and Drink Festival, Summer Streets Festival and the North East Chamber of Commerce Awards.

They have also performed at the Stanhope Weekender, Butlins Skegness and Flamingo Land, gaining experience on stages across the region and beyond.

Gemma Waite, principal at Inspire Stage School and manager of Northern Daughters, added: “This has already been an incredible first year for Northern Daughters and we are immensely proud of everything the girls are achieving.

“They are six very different personalities, but they share such a strong friendship, an incredible work ethic and a genuine love of performing.

“When they step onto a stage together, their energy and connection are impossible to miss.

“Releasing Open Arms was a huge moment for them as they are so proud to come from Sunderland and the song is all about growing up here and spreading that message far and wide.”

Gemma said the involvement of local organisations and schools had made the project particularly meaningful, giving the group an opportunity to celebrate its roots while connecting with young audiences across the city.

She added: “To have created the music video in Sunderland, surrounded by so many local people, schools and organisations, makes it even more special.

“The reaction has been fantastic and we can’t wait for even more people to see it.

“The girls have enormous ambitions, and they want to show other young people what can happen when you believe in yourself and are given the opportunity to shine.

“This really is only the beginning.”

Councillor Hudspith also praised the wider impact of the project, highlighting the opportunities it has created for young people to develop confidence and take part in creative activities.

She added: “From school workshops to community outreach, Open Arms has given people the chance to get involved, build confidence and be part of something genuinely positive.

Northern Daughters have been brilliant ambassadors for Sunderland throughout, and “everyone involved should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved.”

The group is set to continue building its profile with upcoming appearances at the Dalton Park Christmas lights switch-on and the Music Against Child Poverty concert in December.

The official Open Arms music video is available to watch on YouTube, while fans can follow Northern Daughters on Instagram at @northerndaughters1 and TikTok at @northerndaughters.

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