A city football club hopes to score with its ambitious plans for a summer music festival to raise money to support the club and its community work.
Newcastle Benfield Football Club already has tickets on sale for Benfest which will feature two days of tribute bands in its Walkergate grounds. And, with extras such as bingo events - inspired by Bongo's Bingo - added to the programme, it is hoping to deliver a much-needed boost to its funds.
It hosted a small festival last year, which meant a lot of hard work for the busy club so it has now enlisted a music promoter who is going all-out with a line-up promising the best tribute bands packed into one weekend. "So it will be bigger and better," says chariman Craig Bell.
Read more: Guide to 2023 North East music festivals
Benfest will run on the July 29-30 weekend and seems set for success with its line-up on the Saturday featuring The Who tribute band Whodlum, followed by Bryan Adams Experience; Rio - showcasing the hits of Duran Duran - then The Smiths Ltd and Guns 'n' Roses Experience. On Sunday the day-to-evening entertainment will see Fleetwood Mac tribute Fleety Hack take to the stage ahead of Harry Stylish, Oasism, Absolutely Abba and Queen tribute band We Are Champion.
Bingo will be adding to the attractions on both days. With early bird day tickets now on sale for a cut-price £10 and a full weekend ticket available for £18, the focus is upon value for money while also providing a vital lifeline for the club and those it supports.
"There are not many grants out there for smaller football clubs," points out Craig and, like many clubs, this one has its struggles, particularly at times when, for instance, weather has ruled out any matches for eight weeks but there were still the bills to pay. With money on everyone's minds due to the ongoing cost of living crisis, the club still ensures it keeps fees down for members too.
While there's always an element of risk when it comes to the outlay on a music festival, "it's risk versus gain" says Craig and he is confident that everyone is in for a great time at Benfest and that will mean that many can benefit from its success. He said: "We want to put funds into the club to help to keep it going and to help support the community work we do."
The club has lost dedicated chairmen in recent years in Jimmy Rowe, who died in the year before Covid, followed by Dave Robson last year and those left behind are rallying around to do their best to carry on the good work. Outside its football commitments, support for its senior team and encouragement of local young talent, the role it plays in the community includes the likes of food drops to old people's homes and hosting festive meals for veterans. Recently it hosted a fund-raiser for the Daft As A Brush cancer charity.
"We try to give back and do a bit extra," says Craig. For tickets to the festival see the event's website here. Once the early bird option has passed, the cost will be £15 for day tickets and £30 for the weekend.
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