5ive, who topped the charts with hits including Keep On Moving, We Will Rock You and Let’s Dance, will perform a free open air concert in South Shields on Sunday July 12.
The gig, which forms part of the South Tyneside Festival 2015, will also feature regional success story, The Waiters, as well as another well-known headline act, which is yet to be announced.
5ive, now featuring original members Scott Robinson, Ritchie Neville and Sean Conlon, sold more than 20 million records worldwide before splitting in 2001, including four top ten albums in the UK alone.
The multi award-winning group 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.
They’ll be joined for the free concert in Bents Park by South Shields’ natives, The Waiters, who are already being hotly tipped to follow in 5ive’s successful footsteps.
The young group, whose members are all aged between 16 and 21, are currently recording their debut EP and will be making a triumphant return to the South Tyneside Festival for the third consecutive year.
An additional big name act is expected to complete the bill, with event organisers South Tyneside Council, hoping to release more details within the coming weeks.
Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council, with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: “5ive were one of the biggest acts of the nineties and noughties, with 11 top ten singles and a string of sold-out arena shows.
“Band member Scott Robinson was a popular performer at the South Tyneside Festival a few years ago and we’re looking forward to welcoming him, Ritchie, Sean, and The Waiters to the Bents Park stage this summer.”
The high-profile performance by 5ive, The Waiters and soon to be announced big name act, will be the first in a series of four, free Sunday concerts taking place in Bents Park, as part of the South Tyneside Festival 2015.
Other headliners already announced, include Billy Ocean (July 19), Sophie Ellis-Bextor and The Feeling (July 26), as well as North East stars Joe McElderry, Collabro and Lola Saunders, who will all share the stage on August 2.
The three-month festival will begin in earnest on June 4, with the first in a series of twice weekly performances by acts, including Britpop icons Dodgy, at the Amphitheatre at Sandhaven, South Shields seafront.
This will be followed by a series of brass band performances at the same venue every Sunday during June, July and August, Kids Fun Fest parties Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 18 to August 20 and monthly craft markets at Harton Quays from June to September.
Other highlights in this year’s festival, which runs from June until the end of August, include a Summer Fayre in Bents Park on June 27, a spectacular Alice in Wonderland themed parade through South Shields on July 4 and Proms in the Park onSunday July 5.
For more information and full listings for the South Tyneside Festival 2015 go to www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk search for South Tyneside Events on Facebook, follow STynesideEvents on Twitter or call the South Tyneside Visitor Information Centre on 0191 424 7788.