Get your tartan ready—North Shields is set to feel the full force of Scottish pop nostalgia this January as the Bay City Rollers headline the third annual Tyneside Blues and Americana Festival, which fittingly closes on Burns Night January 25th.
Festival organisers Stephen Donnelly and Jonny Clegg are pulling out all the stops to make the 2026 event the biggest and boldest yet. “We’ve gone for the best line-up we’ve ever had,” says Stephen. “This year we’ve got UK Blues Federation award winners including The Dom Martin Band and The Zac Schulze Gang, along with returning favourites like The Terraplane Blues Band and Tom Killner Band.”
In a move sure to please both music lovers and nostalgia seekers, the final day of the festival falls on Burns Night, and to mark the occasion with proper Scottish flair, the legendary Bay City Rollers will take to the stage. “It just fell into place,” Jonny explains. “We thought, let’s go for something fun and iconic to close the weekend—and they said yes.”
But the Rollers aren’t the only act bringing Celtic pride to the lineup. Also appearing are Stormchaser, fronted by powerhouse Scottish vocalist Gregor McGregor—formerly of Frankie Miller’s Full House—making that final night a celebration of both blues and bonnie Scotland.
This year sees the festival move to a new home: the King Street Club in North Shields. “It’s a cracking venue,” Jonny says. “Tiered seating, great acoustics, a bar at the back, and proper CIU club prices—none of your £9-a-pint nonsense here.”
Beyond the main stage, there’ll be music in the club’s rear bar, surprise acoustic sets, and even a VIP lounge with added perks like afternoon teas and comfortable seating, all at a very modest price. “It’s all about making the experience better for everyone,” says Stephen. “We’ve listened to last year’s feedback—no clashing set times this time round, and more comfort for the fans.”
With acts spanning blues, rock, pop, and Americana—like Martin Turner of Wishbone Ash, Davy Pattison of Montrose, and quality support with Whiskey Flowers and Gerry Jablonski Band plus more—this year’s festival promises a weekend to remember.
Tickets are on sale now at www.tynefest.co.uk, with day passes, full weekend wristbands, and VIP options available. But be quick—the tartan army is already assembling, and this one’s shaping up to be a sell-out.
As Jonny puts it: “It’s music, fun, and community—everything a proper club gig should be. And this year, we’re finishing it off with a bang… and a Shang-a-Lang!”