Stars come out for BIG Switch-On Party 8 July 2017 by Visit Blackpool A spectacular line-up of musical talent will perform at the 2017 Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On concert, it can be revealed today. The biggest night in Blackpool’s events calendar, which is being staged in association with MTV, will feature headline performances by Example and DJ Wire, Conor Maynard, Diversity and Louisa Johnson. The free concert, to be held on the Tower Festival Headland Arena on Friday 1 September, also sees the return of Club MTV DJs R3wire and Varski, who took last year’s event by storm. International rapper and songwriter Example has performed to sell-out audiences across Europe and worked alongside global stars including Calvin Harris and Chase & Status. He has also acted in numerous movies. He will be joined at the Switch-On party by the hugely-talented Louisa Johnson - at 17, the youngest ever winner of The X Factor, who went on to secure major hits with Tears and So Good selling over 1 million singles. Conor Maynard is no stranger to Blackpool having appeared at the inaugural SLIMEFEST event in 2016. The singer-songwriter has a huge following on You Tube and was named as MTV’s Brand New star for 2012. Diversity, who stunned the Switch-On capacity crowd with an astonishing routine last year have just completed their seventh UK arena tour. Widely acclaimed as one of the world’s great dance acts, they will be bringing another unique set to the Switch-On stage. Also returning for a second year, are R3wire and Varski, the Club MTV presenters and record producers, who brought the house down in 2016, making the concert one of the most talked-about in Illuminations Switch-On history. Cllr Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to confirm such an amazing line-up for this year’s Friday night Switch-On celebration. “This year’s show follows on from last year when the collaboration with MTV created one of the best Switch-On concerts in living memory. There’s a really exciting mix in the 2017 line-up and we hope that everyone will enjoy the show, Blackpool looks forward to welcoming these talented artists.” The Friday night celebration will start with a “Blackpool Introduces” showcase featuring the best of talent from across the Fylde Coast, prior to the start of the main show. The celebrity Switch-On star and other special guests will be confirmed soon. As last year, the Switch-On event will be free, with people invited to apply for the 20,000 wristbands that will guarantee entry to the Tower Festival Headland arena. The wristband ballot closes at 9am on 1 August. To register, go to: www.visitblackpool.com/switchon.