The Vamps to headline Illuminations switch-on night

The Vamps are growing stars on the UK music scene and since 2013 have scored a multi-Platinum debut album, sold more than two million singles, had five Top 10 singles in the UK, and won multiple awards.

They have a staggering 154 million views on their YouTube channel, and almost a million subscribers.

They are the first names confirmed for the biggest event of Blackpool’s year, the Blackpool iFest Illuminations Friday night Switch-On (Friday September 4) which will see the resort’s famous Lights switched on, marking the start of the Illuminations.

The special guest Switch-On star and other special guests will be confirmed soon.

Coun Gillian Campbell, deputy leader of Blackpool Council, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to confirm The Vamps as headliners.

“They are huge names on the UK music scene and the incredible numbers they generate in terms of interest show what a massive following they bring with them.

“We will be announcing more names, including special guests and our Switch-On star, soon.”

The Friday night Switch-On kicks off an exciting weekend of events at the Blackpool Tower Festival Headland between Friday 4 and Sunday September 6.

The Saturday night will feature a line-up of chart-topping pop stars in association with Sky’s Vintage TV channel.

The line-up includes Bananarama, Jason Donovan and Paul Young, and will be hosted by TV and radio star, Pat Sharp.

On Sunday, stars of British comedy will take to the stage, with one of the most recognisable and successful comics in the UK, Al Murray - The Pub Landlord, hosting and headlining the show alongside the likes of Chris Ramsey, Alun Cochrane, Tiff Stevenson, Carl Hutchinson and Craig Campbell.

Tickets, priced at £15 for each of the Saturday and Sunday shows, and are on sale now and a £30 weekend festival pass is also on sale.

The first 5,000 people to buy a £30 weekend festival pass will guarantee themselves free entry to the big Friday night switch-on.

A ballot to win the remaining 15,000 tickets for the free Friday night event is also now open at www.visitblackpool.com/switchon – register before July 31 to be in with a chance of winning.

Last year, around 80,000 people applied for tickets to attend the spectacular Friday night event.

This year, the Illuminations will shine every night from September 4 to November 8.

In 2014, the Illuminations attracted more than four million visitors to the resort.