The stage is set for three days of music and street entertainment in Tynemouth as a much-loved festival prepares to make its return.
Mouth of the Tyne will get under way in the coastal village on Friday, with Keane headlining, and will wrap up on Sunday with Sophie Ellis-Bextor topping the bill. In between will be a day of free street performances, walkabouts and children's activities making up for a musical gap in the programme left by the Lighthouse Family.
The Newcastle favourites pulled out of the festival following shock news that they are splitting up after almost 30 years. But North Tyneside Council, which organises the festival, is out to ensure that there still will be plenty to maintain the festival momentum throughout Saturday.
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Outdoor attractions will be on offer around Front Street, which will be closed to traffic, and also at nearby Tynemouth Metro Station. There also will be performances on a community stage and on a jazz stage outside The Gibraltar Rock pub.
The main music will play out against the dramatic backdrop of Tynemouth Castle & Priory, with the line-up and timings for Friday being available here and for Saturday here.
A question often asked by visitors to the festival - which has been missing for the past two years due to Covid - is can you take along your own food and drink? There are rules attached to the July 8-10 event so here is what you need to know if you're planning to go along to join in the fun.
Mouth of Tyne - festival rules
Can I take in my own food and drink?
The short answer is yes - but alcohol is allowed only in moderate quantities say organisers. Glass isn't allowed and there will be bag searches in place.
BBQs are banned too. Otherwise festival-goers can enjoy picnics, although they are reminded that a range of food and drink will be on sale.
What food and drink will be on sale?
There will be a variety of independent traders selling locally-produced street food and among them will be Hatch 76, Redhead's Mac and Cheese, Fat Hippo, Smokey Joe's, Spud Gun loaded fries and Churros of Barcelona.
There will be hot drinks from the likes of Canny Coffees as well as a fully-stocked festival bar selling beers, wine and prosecco. Most traders will accept card payments and take note that there will not be an ATM on the site.
North Tyneside Council has also answered a number of other questions about the festival to help out those planning their visit:
What about parking?
Parking will be very limited - and remember the central Front Street will be closed - although there will be some nearby blue badge parking spaces. The festival is expecting more than 100,000 visitors over its run so the best advice is for people to take public transport wherever possible and to make use of the park and ride system which will be in operation (not available however on the Friday).
Over the weekend this will run every 20 minutes (from 10am until 6.20pm on the Saturday and until 7.20pm on Sunday) from Beaconsfield on the seafront, adjacent to Tynemouth Aquarium, to Boots on Percy Park Road in the village. The return route will be from 10.15am (until 6.35pm on the Saturday and 7.35pm on Sunday) and the charge will be £3 per car.
Is the Priory concert site accessible?
Yes. There is a path all the way into the priory which leads to a raised viewing area, if required, and there are accessible toilets on site, says the council. Spaces for the accessible viewing area for those with disabilities and additional needs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Concert information
For others these are standing concerts, although camping chairs are allowed - people should be careful not to restrict views. Children are allowed to attend with adults and ear defenders are recommended for the young.
Once into the concert area, there can be no re-admittance if people then leave the priory. Dogs aren't allowed, save for guide dogs, and smoking is banned.
Tickets
Tickets for Keane are now sold out although there is still some availability to see Sophie Ellis-Bextor via See Tickets and Ticketmaster. Any issues with delayed or lost tickets should be dealt with by the ticket company ahead of the event. For the full programme of what's on offer at Mouth of Tyne see here.
Steve Bishop, the council's head of cultural development who is also festival director, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that, after two years, the Mouth of Tyne Festival is finally returning to Tynemouth. A lot of work has gone into selecting a brilliant line-up and bringing lots of free entertainment to the festival which people of all ages can enjoy across the weekend.
“The festival attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year and is a major event in the borough and we look forward to once again seeing the village bursting with fun and entertainment this weekend."
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