Big names to top the bill at festivals across North
WITH the return of Glastonbury this weekend, music lovers might be wondering where they can get their next festival fix - and without having to go further afield.
Teessiders, especially those who made the trek south to Worthy Farm, might want to know there are plenty of open-air festivals and gigs much closer to home you can still enjoy this summer, some with some very big names on the bill
Our patch will see a whole host of stars from the Stereophonics and The Specials at Hardwick Festival to the Arctic Monkeys who are headlining at Leeds - which attracts thousands of Teesside music fans every summer.
Scarborough Open-Air Theatre concert series
Programme of outdoor gigs began on Friday, May 27 and runs throughout the summer
Christina Aguilera, George Ezra and Lewis Capaldi are still to come at the 8,000-capacity Scarborough Open Air Theatre. You can see the full programme by visiting the venue’s website.
Kubix Festival
Herrington Country Park, Sunderland, Saturday, July 9
The event, which made its debut in the of summer 2018, is coming back strong in 2022 - this time with Steps headlining its pop day programme at the Herrington County Park.
The dance-pop favourites will be joining Danish-Norwegian Europop group Aqua - creators of UK number ones Barbie Girl, Doctor Jones and Turn Back Time - and Boom Boom Boom Boom stars Vengaboys in the first Kubix event of the year.
Mouth of the Tyne
Tynemouth, Thursday, July 7 to Sunday, July 10
The headliners at the annual weekender - cancelled in 2021 due to ongoing uncertainty over the Covid situation - will be Keane.
The coastal festival, which attracts around 100,000 visitors and has been running for more than 15 years with outdoor concerts taking place at Tynemouth Priory.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor will take the Sunday headline slot.
South Tyneside Festival
Bents Park, South Shields, July to August
The summer blockbuster of free
gigs includes Will Young on July 10; Ella Henderson and The South on July 17 and Shalamar and The Fizz on July 31. .
Kubix
Herrington Country Park, Sunderland, July 15 and 16
The Sunderland festival’s rock and indie day will be bringing Happy Mondays, Stiff Little Fingers and Lightning Seeds to Herrington Park as well as Shed Seven, Ash and Reef.
Madness and Sugababes
York Racecourse, Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23
The North Yorkshire venue is always popular with Teessiders and its Music Showcase Weekend takes place on Friday and Saturday July 22 and 23.
Madness will play the first night and Sugababes the second.
The events will combine music and racing with the sporting events taking place before the music on both nights. The sporting action will feature seven races on both days.
Summer Sound
Guisborough, Rugby Club, Friday July 29 and Saturday July 30
A change of venue for the popular tribute music festival this year, which has switched from its usual home in the grounds of the town’s
historic Priory. The line-up has already been revealed with Friday, July 29 dedicated to a 60s, 70s and 80s party featuring tribute acts to Abba, the Bee Gees, Dolly Parton, Elvis and Madonna. Hosted by DJ Murray Mint, the music will range from disco to country, rock and roll and pop.
July 30 is a full day of live music showcasing the best in rock and pop with tributes to The Killers, Madness, Lady Gaga, Take That, Coldplay, Amy Winehouse plus local band The Fallen.
Deer Shed Festival
Baldersby Park, Topcliffe, Friday, July 29 until Sunday, July 31
Music acts performing at the family-orientated event include John Grant, Nadine Shah, Django Django and Self Esteem.
There is comedy too from Suzi Ruffell, Paul Foot, Brett Domino Trio and Jayde Adams.
LooseFest
Newcastle Town Moor, July 30 and 31
Black Eyed Peas will get the ball rolling at the festival, which announced a new outdoor city centre location on Newcastle’s Town Moor.
Mabel is also starring as is Joel Corry and rapper AJ Tracey.
Stone Valley Festival
Ushaw House, Durham, August 5 to 7
Loads to get stuck into here. Headliners will be The Stranglers and The Boomtown Rats but you can see the likes of Peter Hook and The Light, Big Country, Neville Staple, Bad Manners and The Rezillos to name just a few. If you are taking a scooter, there is a ride out and show ‘n’ shine with trophy categories on offer too.
Hardwick Festival
Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield, Saturday, August 20, Sunday August 21
One of the biggest dates on the Teesside festival calendar.
The two day event will be headlines by Stereophonics on the Saturday and The Specials on the Sunday.
ake Bugg, Becky Hill and The proclaimers also feature.
There are a range of stages to enjoy and plenty going on, there’s a camping option too. Info here.
Leeds Festival
Bramham Park, Friday, August 26 until Sunday, August 28
A huge summer festival date and and one which many Teessiders flock to every year. This year sees music icons Arctic Monkeys headline with Megan Thee Stallion, Bad Boy Ciller Crew and D-Block Europe also on the bill.