Organisers of summer showcase LooseFest have announced its comeback dates for 2023 on the back of this year's success, which saw stars such as Tinchy Stryder revel in its party atmosphere.
The rapper was among a whopping 70-plus acts taking part in Newcastle 's giant festival - billed as the largest music festival ever in the North East - and has described the "good energy" which touched his heart. "I don't want to be on the stage," he said. "I want to be out there in the crowd!"
The event, which entertained around 60,000 fans over its July 30-31 on the Town Moor, has now confirmed it will be back at the same time next year. LooseFest 's 2023 run will be from July 29-30 and it says 20,000 people have already signed up to attend.
Read more: guide to the rest of the North East's summer music festivals
Plans for who might take to the stage next time around are currently being kept well under wraps - but it seems there could be a number of takers. Stryder, who said of the city "I love it here; I've never had a bad experience in Newcastle", also added of the possibility of a return: "If you invite me, I will be here."
Organisers are delighted at the success of the summer festival which saw music fans bed down for two days of performances, which were headlined by Black Eyed Peas and Will.i.am - the band playing their only England gig here - and Mabel. Even before it got started, Ant and Dec said on Twitter that the line-up “looks amazing”.
It also included the likes of Joel Corry, Jonas Blue, Example, AJ Tracey, Wilkinson and Clean Bandit and it attracted fans UK-wide as well as from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand and the US. Festival director Brian Austin said: “We put together the biggest music festival ever to hit the North East.
"It was a huge achievement to attract so many people. We literally can’t wait to share the excitement of what we have planned for 2023." He said this year's event was pulled together in four months, despite the knock-on effects of the pandemic upon the music world.
"Securing international music artists was a huge moment for the team, especially after the challenges the music industry has faced," he said. "It has been intense but we were determined to make it happen and we are so proud of what we have achieved."
During the event DJ Joel Corry promoted his new single with Becky Hill and spoke of his passion for performing, which he described as having been his "hobby" since he was a boy and now being the "best job in the world". Performer Paul Woolford, who has a new single due out in September, followed up his own stage show with praise for both Geordie hospitality and for LooseFest which he called "excellent", adding: "It's a great event."
There was drama too at the event, with first day delays and then Will.i.am bringing a temporary halt to the Black Eyed Peas show - when they were halfway through Girl Like Me - so that a fan could receive medical attention. He received applause from the audience for his quick-thinking action, ensuring space could be cleared quickly in the crowd, before the band resumed the song followed by other hits such as Where Is The Love? and I Gotta Feeling.
Dean Saunders, another director of the festival, said that the crowd has instantly responded to Will.i.am and called his response "absolutely amazing". As they now look ahead to next year, the organisers say they are hoping for another recorder-breaker event.
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