The region’s biggest free music festival – Northumberland Live, Blyth – played to its biggest ever crowd with chart-topping and BRIT Award winning, Scouting For Girls playing to a staggering 12,000 people…which is more than last year’s event.Northumberland Live, Blyth 2016 has been supported by Blyth Town Council in association with Northumberland County Council and BBC Newcastle 95.4FM Digital.
The crowds gathered steadily all-day on Blyth Beach as the local community and visitors from across the North-East came out in force to support Northumberland Live, Blyth. They had a wide variety of activities, entertainment and street theatre to enjoy…that couldn’t even be dampened by the occasional shower of rain.
The event was attended by the Mayor of Blyth, Councillor Margaret Parker.
The spirits of the massive crowd were on a high throughout the day as local bands and singers put on a show to remember with sets containing original music and chart favourites.
The acts included Percy and the Piglets; Cortney Dixon; David Neil; Shields; Dust Town Dogs; The Sleeze Sisters; Sarah Holmes; Just so; and Hayley McKay.
Councillor Kath Nisbet, Chair of Blyth Town Council Events Committee, said: “The response we had to Northumberland Live, Blyth was overwhelming with the crowd on Blyth Beach turning the festival into one big party! It was wonderful to see so many families bringing picnics, enjoying a sing-song and dancing together. The whole day was full of laughter and smiles from the morning, all the way through until Scouting For Girls closed the show.
“In its third year, Northumberland Live, Blyth is proving very popular, which is reflected strongly in the numbers. It proves that the people of Northumberland and the North East have an appetite for this kind of event, which is not only good for local people but for businesses and the overall tourism benefits to the region. We hope that Northumberland Live, Blyth will continue to prosper for many years to come!”
Councillor Grant Davey, Leader of Northumberland County Council, said: “Northumberland Live, Blyth just gets better every year. It’s an opportunity for the whole community to come together and enjoy a day of quality entertainment. Events like this are important because they showcase the county and provide support for our tourism industry. I’m proud of what we have achieved in partnership with Blyth Town Council and other generous sponsors, building Northumberland Live into something really special. The festival has quickly become a fixture in many people’s diaries. The people of Blyth and Northumberland really do support and enjoy events and there’s a lot more to look forward to with the historic visit of The Tall Ships in August.”
Roy Stride, lead singer with Scouting For Girls, said: “Northumberland Live, Blyth was amazing fun. It was such a lovely festival to play with amazing crowds. We managed to get everyone from the front row to the sea jumping up and down. We had such a great time!”
People can relive Northumberland Live, Blyth through the many videos and photographs on our Face Book page @NorthumberlandLiveFestival
If that has whet the appetite of music lovers far and wide, then Northumberland Live’s sister festival Northumberland Live in Bedlington will be taking place at Gallagher Park in the town on Saturday 16th July with 80s legends Johnny Hates Jazz and Modern Romance headlining the stage.
Some Face Book comments:
Darren Mclaughlin, said: “Looks amazing younger generations to older generation having fun.”
Alison Brundle, said: “Absolutely great day. First time and will be returning next year.”
Mark Beckford, said: “Just been looking at the video footage and my son asked if it was Glastonbury. No son it’s Blyth.”