SOUTH TYNESIDE Festival is celebrating, after attracting record crowds to this year’s Sunday concerts.
The four events – which ended at the weekend (31 July) – with a performance by top reggae band, UB40, saw around 100,000 people turn up for the free shows.
Queues started to form as early as 6am for Sunday’s performance, from fans eager to ensure they would get a place at Bents Park.
Within 50 minutes of the gates opening on Sunday, the park was at capacity, with thousands more people standing outside to hear the music.
The final event followed performances from X Factor favourites Alexandra Burke, Ben Haenow and Reggie ‘N Bollie, Lindisfarne and the Proclaimers and Tony Hadley.
Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council, with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said this had been the most successful series of Sunday concerts.
“Over the years we’ve had amazing crowds for all of the shows but this year has definitely been a record breaker,” he said.
“The strength of the line-up has seen not only people come from across the North East but from all over the UK to see their favourite musicians. In fact, we even had one person come from Australia to see Lindisfarne perform.
“The shows have been a huge success and we are delighted that not only are the concerts so well supported but it also gives us a chance to showcase to visitors how much South Tyneside has to offer.”
This year’s concerts are sponsored by Zeera Indian restaurant and takeaway, Colmans fish and chips, Port of Tyne and NCS (National Citizen Service) and in partnership with BBC Newcastle 95.4FM.