Organisers of the World Cup fan zone at city club NX Newcastle are hoping the draw of top entertainment and an after-party will help tempt people back for England's match against Wales on Tuesday night.
Supporters who attended Friday's screening there of the team's second group game against the USA were left frustrated and demanded their money back after technical issues led to the screen going off multiple times, missing out on a chunk of the second half. The organisers, who had promoted the fan zone's debut as the "ultimate World Cup party" with the biggest indoor screen in Newcastle, have lined up Sky Sports presenter Keith Downie as host and for Tuesday they also promise a guest appearance by former Newcastle United player Steve Howey.
Now Box 2 Box, the promoter behind the fan zone, have announced that Newcastle's "fast-rising DJ sensation" Schak will be taking to the decks for an after-party to follow the screening. And a spokesman for the organisers confirmed that technical issues have now been fixed and the screen is "up and ready to go".
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They added: “We’re so disappointed about the technical issues on Friday. We won’t let you down again everyone and we’re sorry. We’ve rectified the issues and the screen is bigger and better.”
Schak from North Shields - who has been signed to Patrick Topping's music label TRICK and went on to release his debut single Moving All Around (Jumpin’) - is set to perform at the fan zone following the match's final whistle. Also adding to the music line-up with be North East Brit Pop tribute band the National Anthems delivering nineties sounds to add to the party atmosphere.
Doors will open at NX Newcastle - which opened in September on the site of the old 02 Academy - at 5pm on Tuesday, ahead of the 7pm kick-off. Tickets are on sale for £10 with VIP packages also available: see here.
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