AN INDIE rock star will return to his home county to perform an exclusive gig as part of a Sussex-themed drive-in event.

Hugh Harris, from Brighton band The Kooks, has joined the line-up for the opening night of the Made in Sussex drive-in weekender at the grounds in Glynde Place on Friday, October 2.

Hugh will play tracks from his debut solo album, Curious Illusions, which was released yesterday.

He said: “I’m absolutely honoured to be asked to perform on my home turf for Made in Sussex.

“Returning to the place where I grew up to perform some of my solo material for the very first time will be like a dream come true.

“I hope to see lots of familiar faces there.”

Hugh co-founded The Kooks in Brighton in 2004 and the indie rockers had early hits with singles Naive and She Moves in Her Own Way, with their first album Inside In, Inside Out going quadruple platinum.

Raised in Lewes, Hugh was also an alumnus of the youth programme at Glyndebourne opera house, who are sponsoring the Made in Sussex drive-in weekender.

The programme of opera, film and animation will celebrate what the county has to offer, with each part of the line-up having a Sussex connection, as well as plenty of locally sourced food and drink.

Three Glyndebourne operas will play on a 60sqm mobile screen – Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and Cosi Fan Tutte and Verdi’s La Traviata.

Organisers are giving away 50 free tickets for Cosi Fan Tutte to NHS staff.

Film fans can enjoy screenings including Emma, the 2020 release based on Jane Austen’s novel, which was filmed partly at Firle Place, while Lewes-based director William Nicholson will introduce his new film Hope Gap, shot in Seaford and starring Bill Nighy.

There will also be showings of the newly released drama Summerland, which was shot in Cuckmere Haven, and Strike, a stop motion animation made by Sussex-based Gigglefish Animation Studios.

The weekender is the first event from Big Sky Drive-In, a new company formed by two mothers from Lewes during lockdown.

Lara Leslie and Victoria Holden, who have both spent their lives working in TV and film, aim to provide an affordable and fun day out for all ages and to “celebrate the magic” of Sussex.

Victoria said: “The idea behind this venture is to celebrate the very best Sussex has to offer in a way that is original but also accessible to everyone.

“Glyndebourne, with its world-class reputation, is a Sussex jewel, and we have a fantastic food and drink scene here too.

“Made in Sussex combines all these elements from the comfort and safety of your car.”

Sarah Hopwood, managing director at Glyndebourne, said: “Made in Sussex is a great innovation. We are delighted to be able to support a new business in our local community.”

Tickets are now on sale for each event.

To book, go to bigskydrivein.co.uk.