UFO and Scorpion’s legendary guitarist Michael Schenker has been announced as the Saturday Night headliner for Durham’s Northern Kin Festival 2025.
After two phenomenal records under the guise of Michael Schenker Fest, a true guitar hero is returning to his roots. By forming Michael Schenker Group (MSG) back in 1979, Michael Schenker laid the foundations for one of hard rock’s most glorious solo careers of all times. And while nobody expected anything less from a former guitarist for Scorpions and UFO, it’s close to impossible mentioning everything Michael has built over the past 50 years, or the countless people he influenced or played 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 to this mindset, he only realised much later what a huge impact his playing had made on the world of metal and hard rock. Very few guitarists can be cited as a primary influence for the likes of James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Dave Mustaine, Dimebag Darrell, Slash or Kerry King. However, to understand Michael Schenker means to
understand one primary thing: he’s not here to be worshipped or adored, he’s not here 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 and utterly 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 of August 1st -3rd 2025, Northern Kin Festival is three stages of blues, rock, folk, pop and indie music across generations. Also announced so far is Ultravox front man Midge Ure, Folk singer Newton Faulkner, Fisherman’s Friends, The Undertone’s, Elvana and 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
