South Shields' Bents Park will soon be alive with the sound of music once again as the free Sunday concerts finally return after a three year hiatus.
It was back in those pre-Covid days of summer 2019 that the park last played host to the huge outdoor gigs, with the likes of Wet Wet Wet legend Marti Pellow, Three Lions cons The Lightning Seeds and soul songstress Gabrielle among the acts who performed to thousands over four consecutive Sundays as part of the South Tyneside Festival celebrations.
They followed in the footsteps of other big names like Atomic Kitten, Busted, Alexandra Burke, Billy Ocean and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who've also all performed in the South Shields park over the past decade. And now festival organisers have assembled a whole host of stars for this year's concerts, which will take place on July 10, 17, 24 and 31.
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There will be an eclectic mix of acts lined up for each concert and, just like in years gone by, general admission entry is FREE, but priority tickets are available for £6 via Ticketmaster. Here is a guide as to who's on when.
Sunday, July 10
Will Young, with support from Beth Macari
The man who won Pop Idol an unbelievable 20 years ago, before landing number 1s with huge hits like Evergreen and Leave Right Now will kick things off as he celebrates two decades in the music industry.
Support will come from Gateshead's own soul siren Beth Macari.
Gates open approximately. 12 noon for Priority Plus ticket holders and around 12.45pm for free entry for which no tickets are required. Music commences around 1.45/2pm, with short change overs in between acts, before finishing at approximately 4.30pm.
Sunday, July 17
Ella Henderson and The South
It's been 10 years since Ella first auditioned for The X Factor, blowing everyone away with original track Missed in her audition, before reaching the live shows. In 2014 Ella scored a number 1 and one of the songs of the summer and, more recently, has toured the UK with The Script.
She is the voice of massive dance anthems like This is Real, Crazy What Love Can Do and 21 Reasons.
Also on the bill are The South, featuring members of The Beautiful South, the band responsible for massive hits like Song for Whoever and Rotterdam.
Again, gates will open approximately. 12 noon for Priority Plus ticket holders and around 12.45pm for free entry for which no tickets are required. Music commences around 1.45/2pm, with short change overs in between acts, before finishing at approximately 4.30pm.
Sunday, July 24
Dance Revival
One for all you 90s and 00s ravers out there, with a line-up of dance icons ready to hit the Bents Park stage. On the bill are Kelly Llorenna, the voice of N-Trance anthem Set You Free and other club classics like True Love Never Dies and Tell It To My Heart; Saturday Night legend Whigfield and It Feels so Good and Sky diva Sonique.
Joining them are Turn Around hitmakers Phats and Small and D:Ream, the act responsible for 90s banger Things Can Only Get Better.
The same entry, start and finish times apply.
Sunday, July 31
Shalamar with The Fizz and Rivelino
Get your best disco gear on for the fourth and final concert of this year as Night to Remember icons Shalamar will be hoping to give South Shields and afternoon to remember.
Bucks Fizz stars The Fizz will also be turning back the clock with tracks like Making Your Mind Up and Land of Make Believe, while local idols Rivelino are sure to go down a storm on home turf.
Gates open approximately. 12 noon for Priority Plus ticket holders and around 12.45pm for free entry for which no tickets are required. Music commences around 1.45/2pm, with short change overs in between acts, before finishing at approximately 4.30pm.
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