Steven Frayne, formerly known as Dynamo, told the crowd in City Park that he was proud to be from the city.
Bradford’s tenure as the UK City of Culture in 2025 has started with a specular event, including magic from Steven Frayne, who told crowds how proud he was to come from the city.
Thousands of people braved bitter temperatures in City Park to watch a show specially created for the start of the year-long festival of art and creativity and involving more than 200 performers.
The RISE event was devised by Frayne – who was formerly known as Dynamo – with director Kirsty Housley, and the TV magician told the crowd how he started his career doing street magic exactly where they were all standing.
He told them: “All of my random ideas started right here in Bradford.
“If I can do what I have done, we can do anything.
“This year is going to be amazing.”
Frayne said: “Let’s enjoy this moment. I am so proud to be from Bradford.
“Everywhere I go I tell everybody about it and I am never losing this Yorkshire accent.”
Bradford is the fourth UK City of Culture, following Derry-Londonderry in 2013, Hull in 2017 and Coventry in 2021.
It was selected in May 2022 from a field of 20 bidding towns and cities.
