It’s the show that everyone loves – the Blackpool Illuminations 2022 Switch On – kicking off the season in style! This year Blue headlined at the free-to-watch live-streamed show!
Blackpool Illuminations Switch On 2022 – FRIDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2022
In 2020, Switch On night moved indoors to The Tower Ballroom. With Covid still ongoing, 2021 saw the event hosted indoors again. But the new indoors/online format proved such a hit that it was being repeated this year – by choice! And this time it’s to a full-capacity crowd in the ballroom.
Plus, once again the Switch On event was streamed live online, available anywhere in the world as it broadcast from the magnificent Tower Ballroom.
And Switch On’s on the Prom!
The biggest night in Blackpool’s events calendar was also shown on a giant screen on the Promenade. Watched by thousands of people it was a fabulous night!
Staged once again in association with MTV, 2000 winners of a free-to-enter ballot enjoyed the fabulous free night out. The bit Switch On kickstarts four months of illuminations in Blackpool. Enjoy the Lights until 2 January 2023!
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The Switch-On Line-up…
VisitBlackpool (the official tourism body) reveals details of performers who will grace the stage at this year’s Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On concert.
2022 Switch On Star…
TV celebrity and designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen turned on this year’s Blackpool Illuminations.
The star of Channel 4’s Changing Rooms pulled the famous switch at the end of the live concert in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom on Friday 2 September.
He replaced actor and comedian Johnny Vegas who announced last week he was being forced to pull out of the Switch-On ceremony due to unforeseen personal circumstances.
Laurence has collaborated with the Illuminations team for several years, designing a number of spectacular features and installations. He’d earlier told the show’s host Becca Dudley of his love and affection for the Illuminations and his pride at being invited to perform the Switch-On ceremony.
Makeover for the Golden Mile!
His appearance as Switch-On star this year coincides with the unveiling of a dazzling makeover for the Golden Mile in which Laurence has created a stretch of Art Deco-style features that will celebrate a golden age of 1930s glamour.
The 21 overhead light installations form a brand new section entitled Neo Neon in front of The Blackpool Tower. Each measuring almost 14 metres in length, the installations are divided into three separate styles – arches, wings and fans. Together, they will create a stunning new look on the resort’s best-known stretch of promenade.
Laurence said: “The Blackpool Illuminations represent something really special in the hearts of the British people and I am thrilled to be able to pull that famous switch in the magnificent Tower Ballroom.”
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Blue joins the line-up for Switch On Night!
Blue is one of the most successful British bands of the past two decades. And they’re heading to Blackpool for the Illuminations Switch-On concert.
The band, aka Antony Costa, Duncan James, Lee Ryan and Simon Webbe, will perform at The Blackpool Tower Ballroom on Friday 2 September ahead of a major arena tour and the release of their brand new album, Heart & Soul on September 9.
Formed in London, Blue have sold a phenomenal 16m records and have scored multiple number one hits. They’ve collaborated with some of the world’s biggest music stars including Elton John and Stevie Wonder. Received numerous accolades including two BRIT awards and represented the UK in Eurovision.
Earlier this year, they announced 12 dates around the UK in December for their 20-year anniversary tour. Including Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool, as well as a headline show at the O2 in London.
Becca Dudley is Back!
MTV’s lead presenter, Becca Dudley, returns to The Blackpool Tower Ballroom to host this year’s Illuminations Switch-On concert. Becca hosts numerous shows across MTV. She was the presenter for last year’s show, as it streamed to a worldwide audience.
She joined MTV in 2012 and quickly rose through the ranks to become the lead presenter. She’s interviewed some of the world’s biggest music artists and celebrities including Pharrell Williams, Cameron Diaz, Bebe Rexha and Stormzy.
Becca has co-presented the prestigious European Music Awards Red Carpet show for MTV International since 2016. As a radio broadcaster, she was one of the first DJs brought on board to Apple Music’s international station Beats 1, now Apple Music 1.
She hosts her own playlist slots as well as covering for some of their daily shows. She also performs live DJ sets at major venues and festivals across the world.
Final Two Acts
The final two acts have been lined up for Blackpool’s biggest night of the year – the annual Illuminations Switch-On.
Grammy Award and three-time MOBO Award-winning rap star Fuse ODG and outstanding Scottish singer-songwriter Nina Nesbitt join an all-star line-up that already includes Blue, Tom Grennan and Mae Muller.
Fuse ODG, a British-Ghanaian Afrobeats singer, is a mainstream superstar within the London rap scene. He has sold over a million records, achieved five UK Top 10 Chart hit singles and been a near permanent fixture on the BBC Radio 1 playlist.
He has also been nominated for an MTV European Music Award and collaborated with artists such asSean Paul, Wyclef and Major Lazer. The dancehall remix of Major Lazer’s Light It Up which features the vocals of Fuse ODG, has over 1 billion streams on Spotify alone.
Nina Nesbitt will be appearing at Switch-On shortly fresh from a series of summer festival appearances and after supporting Coldplay in two huge concerts at Hampden Park in Glasgow.
Her new album, Älskar, will be released on the same day as the Switch-On celebration. It will see her build on the huge accolades she has already received including more than 500 million streams for her previous album, The Sun Will Come Up, The Seasons Will Change.
How to Watch Switch On 2022
The event will be streamed live across MTV and VisitBlackpool channels. Organisers are also exploring the possibility of streaming the event to an outdoor audience on Tower Festival Headland. Watch this space!
The free ticket ballot is now closed. Tickets will be sent out by VisitBlackpool, the official tourism organisation and organiser of the event.
Shirley Ballas pulled the Switch for last years Switch On in 2021. BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing head judge was watched all over the world in the live, online show.
The first free-to-access event streamed live in 2020 (below) attracting more than 225,000 global views.
Switch On Surprises and Stars…
The Covid pandemic of 2020 interrupted a tradition in Blackpool that goes back to 1934. There was no crowd for the annual switch on of the Illuminations, and ther show was interrupted for several weeks of lockdown.
The Illuminations date back to 1912, but the tradition of a special switch on ceremony ‘only’ began in 1934.
Book Hotel accommodation for Switch On 2022
Book your hotel accommodation for Switch on with the Visit Fylde Coast and StayBlackpool guide. Know that you’ll have a great place to stay while you enjoy this event. Find Trusted accommodation, right here on this page.
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Bookings from these sites are also ultra-low or zero commission. This means that more of the money from your booking helps to support the local economy.
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Take a look back at the last live Switch On…
It was back in 2019 when the last big concert was held on the Tower Festival Headland. Have a look –
While you’re here…
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