The Libertines co-frontman Carl Barat admits that Saturday night's headliner on the Town Moor will serve as something as a "homecoming" - in more ways than one for him and Pete Doherty.
Doherty was born in Hexham, while Barat spent part of his childhood visiting relatives in Heddon-on-the-wall resulting in frequent trips to the Metro Centre. But the much-storied band also have memories of one of the first gigs in the region after lockdown at Newcastle Racecourse.
The Can't Stand Me Now singer had mixed feelings about the event but is now looking forward to seeing the swaying Geordie masses at the Rock N Roll Circus. And knows that heading to the party city will bring back memories of his past.
Barat told Chronicle Live: "I've always loved Newcastle, it's an impressionable city. From the fact that people wear next to nothing to the lively vibe!
"But I used to go there as a kid because my grandparents used to live in Heddon-on-the-Wall. We used to go to the Metro Centre and play in the arcades, great memories.
"Pete was actually born in Hexham, we do have a bit of connection with it, it's a special place. I mean not a week goes by when one of us tries to do the accent - and manages it really badly!
"Newcastle is always in our hearts. Let's have it as a homecoming, I think every gig is special but we're looking forward to this one - our homecoming Newcastle gig."
One thing is for sure, a packed circus tent with bars doing a roaring trade, fortune tellers and stilt walkers will make for a different atmosphere. Barat said: "It's still a funny time for gigs isn't it? One of the last ones we did was actually up in Newcastle, we did the socially distanced one which was quite mental.
"It was weird. Basically everybody trying to make the best of a bad situation, and it's a shame it didn't take off more, just being a weird format.
"It probably works well for comedy, but it was weird seeing everybody in their own little box, watching them at home through their own TV screen. They did have their platform and their own booze and stuff, and they could get served easier!
"But it's no surrogate for an actual in your face gig, you want everybody there and have a crowd."
Barat said: "It feels like we're getting something back that we lost. I really hope that's the feeling overall for everybody, and we're all getting it back together.
"You want it like it was before the lockdown. It's a big plus for everybody and not before time huh? I noticed that at a gig with our old band Dirty Pretty Things and there was a palpable feeling of that we're all free again.
"Just the feeling of being allowed to go places and people were really having it again. I am hoping for a bit more of that in the big top."
Barat added: "I love the fact it's in a giant circus tent with a carnival vibe. Jugglers, fortune tellers and stilt walkers to go with it as well, yeah should be great. A bit of ceremony to it, it's certainly something a bit different."
Although, with Noel Gallagher on the bill this week there is almost certain to be a some football banter flying around. And for Libs drummer Gary Powell, a big football fan, he is keen to see what the atmosphere is like in Newcastle in his first visit since the takeover.
The Libs band member said: "It's all right to have a bit of money isn't it? It's part of the modern game now. You can say what you want but look at Paris St-Germain, they have bought their way to 10 titles in France.
"The only (rich) team it doesn't apply is probably Bayern Munich when you look at the meagre amount of money they spend on players. "They have managed to maintain an association with the fans.
"Even Arsenal, who I support, we have been spending an absolute fortune on players just to keep up. It's just part and parcel of the modern day game. The only problem I have with it is how it translates to the overall community - like how the prices to go and see the games, that becomes a bit of a questions.
"Then there's the wage structure, that looks like it's going to get even worse. Then the ability for young stars to get their chance and become professionals."
On playing the Town Moor though, Powell said: "Newcastle is always a good laugh. I hear people say the further you go north, the nicer people are - well you can't go much further north than Newcastle!
"So I guess people are pretty damn nice. We're on our way to Berlin now but we will leave at 415am in the morning to get to Newcastle. I say it's Stupid o'clock, but it will be well worth it."
And those sentiments were quickly echoed by band-mate Barat who said: "I just can't wait to get there, and I can't wait to have it up. You always look forward to Newcastle so it's happy days."
Rock n Roll Circus starts today with Noel Gallagher supported by The Charlatans. The Libertines are playing on Saturday June 11.
To buy tickets for the big one go to this site
