Two chart-topping pop bands are heading to the North East for a special free concert this weekend.
5ive and Atomic Kitten, who both dominated the charts in the late 90s and early 2000s, will be co-headlining the open air gig in Bents Park, South Shields on Sunday (July 12).
It is the first in a series of four high profile performances being held as part of the South Tyneside Festival’s Sunday Concert series, sponsored by Dicksons, Colmans and Port of Tyne.
Michael Dickson, Managing Director at Dicksons, said: “We’ve been a proud supporter of events in South Tyneside for many years now and are delighted to see the festival continue to grow. There will be some great acts entertaining the crowds on the day and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone enjoying this event once again.”
Atomic Kitten achieved three number ones at the height of their international fame, including Eternal Flame, The Tide Is High and global smash, Whole Again, which stayed at the top of the UK charts for five weeks.
The multi-award winning trio took a break to pursue solo projects and family commitments following their worldwide sell-out tour in 2004, with the original line-up reuniting for ITV reality show, The Big Reunion, in 2012.
Atomic Kitten will be joined in their South Shields debut by boyband 5ive, who sold more than 20 million records worldwide before splitting in 2001, including four top ten albums in the UK alone.
The band, now featuring original members Scott Robinson, Ritchie Neville and Sean Conlon, reunited for ITV reality show, The Big Reunion, in 2013 and have since been in constant demand, with former top 10 hits such as When the Lights Go Out, Everybody Get Up and If You’re Getting Down wowing new, and returning, fans alike.
Sunday’s line up will be completed by North East favourites, The Waiters, who are returning to the South Tyneside Festival by popular demand, South Tyneside’s Young Performer of the Year 2014, Lily Brooke and Irish boyband HomeTown.
The new group, managed by pop guru Louis Walsh, had the fastest selling single of any Irish artist in 2014, with their debut release Where I Belong, also beating Ed Sheeran and One Direction to the number one spot in the UK charts.
Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council, with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: “The Sunday Concert series is one of the major highlights of the South Tyneside Festival and we are delighted to have 5ive and Atomic Kitten launching it this year.
“The afternoon will also offer the ideal opportunity for music lovers to discover new group, HomeTown and support our regional rising stars, The Waiters and Lily Brooke.”
Gates for Sunday’s concert, headlined by Atomic Kitten and 5ive, will open at 1pm and entry is free.
Other acts set to appear in the South Tyneside Festival’s Sunday Concert series, include Billy Ocean, Sophie Ellis Bextor and The Feeling and North East stars Joe McElderry, Collabro and Lola Saunders.
Full listings for these events, and all the other activities taking place as part of the South Tyneside Festival 2015, can be found at www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk, by searching for South Tyneside Events on Facebook, following STynesideEvents on Twitter or calling the South Tyneside Visitor Information Centre on 0191 424 7788.