The countdown is on to Sam Fender's double date in his home city and fans can't wait to catch up with him following his Brit Award success.
The North Shields star, who recently followed up his 2019 rising star award with another Brit for best/alternative rock act, will be showing exactly why he's at the top of his game when he takes to the stage at Utilita Arena this week.
Stopping off on his Seventeen Going Under Tour - named after his recent album which, like debut album Hypersonic Missiles, shot to the top of the charts - Sam Fender is set to perform to sell-out audiences on Tuesday and Wednesday night.
Read more: Sam Fender's tour setlist ahead of Newcastle shows
Ahead of the gigs, here's everything ticket-holders will need to know about the big night.
What time will the show start?
The Utilita Arena says that doors will open at 6pm with support from 7.45pm, and an interval at 8.30pm before Sam comes on. The show is scheduled to end at 10.30pm each night.
Utilita Arena rules for Sam Fender gigs
The previously strict Covid rules such as proof of vaccine status and Covid passports no longer apply, of course, following the lifting of restrictions but Utilita Arena stresses that Government advice says anyone who tests positive should not attend events.
And the arena does have other entry rules and it is best to know about those ahead of attending a gig in order to save any problems or delays on the doors.
While the welcome in store will be a warm one, the arena tells ticket-holders to expect to be searched. Staff will have metal detectors and refusing a search will mean no entry.
What you can't bring into the arena
Do not bring backpacks, holdalls or suitcases to the venue, as you will be refused entry.
Those with medical equipment they need to bring are asked to contact the Arena in advance to make admission easier. There are no storage facilities at the venue.
Fans will walk through metal detectors and be searched before they enter the arena.
Handbags are allowed, as long as they are no bigger 21cm x 30cm x 19cm - which is roughly the size of an A4 piece of paper.
Other items you can not bring include:
- Backpacks, holdalls or suitcases
- Cushions**
- Glass, cans, aluminum bottles or thermoses of any kind including any liquid products which can be consumed**
- Flammable liquids in any container
- Laser pens/pointers
- Video cameras, professional cameras and recording devices
- Laptop computers, Ipads and Go Pro’s
- Large/golf umbrellas
- Knives, firearms or weapons of any kind
- Illegal drugs or substances
- Alcoholic beverages
- Signs, banners or flags with or without poles, staffs or selfie sticks
- Animals (except service animals to aid persons with disabilities)
- Air horns, whistles, cowbells or other noise-making distractions
- Projectiles (Frisbees, beach balls, footballs etc)
- Aerosol cans (hairspray, mace pepper spray etc)
- Fireworks, confetti or glitter bombs or sprays
- Glow sticks
- Balloons
- Use of wheeled footwear, skateboards
- Food
- Helmets and full face masks excluding clear visors
- Large belt buckles, studs, chains and spiked collars, boots or jackets
- Glass bottles of perfume
- Anything else which we deem to ruin the enjoyment or viewing experience of others
- Any refreshments or refreshment containers
- Cameras & recording equipment including iPads and Tablets: the unauthorised use of cameras, video, iPads and Tablets and any other form of recording equipment is strictly prohibited, the arena says, although bringing phones is fine.
**Exceptions will be made for those with medical requirements and/or special needs - tell the venue about these ahead of visit to ensure ease of entry.
Does the named person on tickets need attend?
For some events, the lead booker, whose name is printed on the ticket, must attend - with ID - along with whoever is in the group they have bought tickets for, meaning that if someone else's name is on your ticket, you must make sure you enter with that person.
However, this is for named events only and Sam Fender is not among the list of gigs this applies to.
Tickets can be resold and bought, but only through https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/ticket-exchange Tickets found being sold elsewhere may be made invalid.
Face masks
The arena "strongly encourages" people to wear masks in communal areas inside the venue - that means the concourse, toilets and queueing areas.
Although there is no legal requirement for face coverings, the Government advice is that face masks should be worn in crowded and indoor spaces where people may come into contact with others they do not normally meet.
The Arena's guidance, as updated in January, is that its staff still will be wearing face masks themselves, unless exempt, and it says "we’d really appreciate you returning this kind gesture". Its website adds that NHS Track and Trace QR codes are still available to scan at all points of entry and hand sanitiser stations remain in place as do enhanced cleaning measures.
