MUSIC FANS can enjoy a whole host of North East talent for free next month (June) when a series of popular gigs returns.
Organisers of the South Tyneside Festival have revealed the line-up for this year’s live music shows at South Shields’ Sandhaven Amphitheatre, sponsored by Minchella & Co.
The free outdoor concerts take place from 7pm to 9pm on Thursdays and Saturdays throughout June, kicking off with performances from Patrick Gosling and The Tracies on 1 June, as part of The Garage Studios Music Showcase.
NE Street Band are next to play on 6 June, bringing the sound of Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band to the region, before rock cover band, Sound Divide, take to the stage on 13 June.
Pop rock foursome, The Wet Bandits, will play a range of songs from David Bowie to John Lennon on 15 June and then the annual showcase from South Tyneside College’s music department will return on 20 June.
Jarrow-based Sound Cartel will take music fans on a journey through the decades from the 1950s to present day on 22 June before female-fronted power trio The Alibis entertain crowds with rock covers on 27 June.
Anyone heading to the last concert of the month on 29 June can enjoy the popular Bessie and the Zinc Buckets, who will take to the stage to perform a number of rockabilly classics.
Then, on Saturday 13 July, music fans can see a one-off reunion show from Danceclass, who headlined the first ever Amphitheatre live music series back in 1989.
Councillor Alan Kerr, Lead Member for Culture and Leisure at South Tyneside Council, is confident that this year’s line-up will have something for everyone.
“The live music series at the Amphitheatre is one of the highlights of the South Tyneside Festival,” said Councillor Kerr.
“The gigs showcase some incredible homegrown talent over the month and it is a fantastic way for music fans to see their favourites for free or discover a new group to enjoy.
“There is a brilliant line-up performing this year and I hope that people will enjoy the amazing music on their doorstep.”
Michael Minchella, of Minchella & Co, is delighted to be involved for another year.
“We are proud to work with the council and have been sponsors of the festival since the very first one,” he said.
“It is a fantastic event for the town which everyone can enjoy and it’s always very well organised and an extremely enjoyable time”
The South Tyneside Festival is organised by South Tyneside Council and supported by BBC Newcastle 95.4FM.
The live music series at the Amphitheatre is one of many events taking place in South Shields as part of the festival, with the Summer Parade taking place on 6 July and following a Space Fantasy theme.
And the popular Sunday concert series returns from 14 July, featuring performances from Marti Pellow, Midge Ure, Nick Heyward, The Lightning Seeds and Gabrielle.
The Sunday concerts are free to attend but fans can upgrade to Priority Plus tickets at www.ticketmaster.co.uk/southtynesidefestival.
For more information about the festival, visit www.southtynesidefestival.co.uk, search South Tyneside Events on Facebook or follow @STynesideEvents on Twitter.