Summer means festivals and while that can also mean muddy mayhem, it mainly means magnificent music - and lots of it.
We've got off to a rocking start with tickets on early sale for some returning events, including a second outing for Lost Minds dance festival in Leazes Park, and that sets the tone for a whole music-packed year around Newcastle and the wider North East. Among the upcoming treats are smaller-scale intimate affairs too.
It goes to prove it's certainly not all about Glastonbury or other biggies such as Reading or Leeds festivals so there is no need to spend hundreds of pounds on a ticket - which is good news in the current climate - not to mention travelling costs, when there will be live music events galore on your doorstep once the festival season gets into full swing.
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Here is a round-up of where and when you can enjoy live music in Newcastle and across the region from Northumberland to County Durham during 2023. Included are some regulars which have yet to confirm their dates, and others which may still join the programme, so watch this space.
There is no news on whether the SummerTyne event will come back to Sage Gateshead, having been absent last year, but we already know the Little Lindi Festival, which made its debut on the Lambton Estate in County Durham last July, will not return in 2023 - although that doesn't mean there aren't hopes for 2024. The family camping festival, by the organisers of Lindisfarne Festival, had added the likes of dance and wellbeing workshops to the music mix but despite what it called an "amazing" event it said that, with the cost of living crisis making its impact, "we won’t be hosting Little Lindi Festival in 2023".
But it added: "This is not to say we won’t go ahead the following year – if we think we can make it work, we will." So fingers crossed. Other festivals in the guide have links to tickets which are already on sale, so those who want to get cracking can make a booking as it's always nice to have something to look forward to.
So far, we've had a few - see below - including a very muddy return from Northern Kin Festival which - having switched from and then returned last year to its previous County Durham home, Stanhope village, this time brought the party to Durham's Ushaw Historic House, Chapel and Gardens on the April 28-30 Bank Holiday weekend. Its three-day run promised around 60 hours of live blues, folk and rock from such big names as Jethro Tull, Hawkwind, Levellers and Bill Bailey among more than 40 bands and artists - also including Lindisfarne, Wishbone Ash and Seth Lakeman - playing across three stages in the rural setting which also offered camping and attractions including a food village, licensed bars and stalls. The festival, aimed at all ages, struggled with weather and criticism - read about that here and here - but is now promising to come bouncing back next year.
Here's hoping we'll be in for a prolonged spell of summer sunshine now to add to the upcoming fun - and keep that dreaded mud at bay. So get out those new diaries and make plans to get out there in the fresh air - even if it turns out a bit too fresh - and soak up enough festival experience to make up for time lost over the past couple of years and to generate musical memories for a long time to come.
Lost Minds - April 29. Having made its debut in Leazes Park, Newcastle, last year with 50 acts across three stages, the dance festival was back there this spring for round two. Kicking off the party this time was 'big room house favourites' W&W - DJs and record producers Willem van Hanegem Jr. and Wardt van der Harst - plus Dr Peacock, making a rare UK performance, and last year's Ben Nicky. Plenty others signed up and fans also enjoyed a festival village with food and drink, rides, art installations, a Zen Tent and Rave-Aerobics.
Party at The Bay - May 5-7. This Whitley Bay music festival announced a three-day run - one more than at its debut last year - of tribute music acts headlined by bands recreating the hits of Green Day, Abba and The Eagles and - adding to the mix at Whitley Bay Football Club in Hillheads Park - a range of others set to suit fans of everyone from The Beatles to the Spice Girls and including Bruce Springsteen, Duran Duran, Stone Roses, Elton John, Ed Sheeran and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Following the success of a recent crowdfunder - with rewards of early bird tickets: see here - which raised more than £3,900, it promised a 'brilliant weekend' with the focus upon keeping "everything including the drinks to a very reasonable price".
In Between Days - May 26-28 (cancelled)
This new outdoor festival, due to make its debut in Newcastle's Time Square, over the Bank Holiday weekend was cancelled two days before it was due to start. Organised by Tokyo Live, it had announced Happy Mondays, Ian Brown - former lead singer of The Stone Roses - and The Wombats, as well as DMA’s, Lightning Seeds, Two Door Cinema Club plus locals Andrew Cushin and Liam Fender - plus a potential surprise for the Bank Holiday Monday.
The festival had been set to make its debut on the dates initially scheduled for the return of This Is Tomorrow festival to Exhibition Park which, having taken place in 2021 with James, Gerry Cinnamon and Sam Fender (who walked on stage to Local Hero), was then cancelled last year with organisers blaming rising costs and an over-saturated market.
For more information about the cancellation now of In Between Days see the story here.
There is to be a 'rescheduling' too of One More Time festival on April 30, which had been set to see Stewart Park in Middlesbrough again play host to a retro old-skool-name festival, this time with Retro, 90s Baby, Trance Classics and Hedkandi, Judge Jools and Fatman Scoop. And there was no news of Leazes Live - the inaugural music festival which was cancelled last year just about a month from its planned debut in Newcastle on the May Bank Holiday weekend - even though a spokesman at the time did say: "We are hopeful to bring this gig back in the near future" - nor of Beachjam, the popular summer festival billed as 'boutique', at Redcar's Majuba beach which had advertised a chance to win four tickets, and a £100 bar tab, to those who sign up for information about the 2023 event - with no follow-up news on its Twitter account here.
Nor has there been any news of a potential return of A Stone's Throw, which made its debut on May 28 last year and brought the crowds to 11 locations around Tynemouth and the Fish Quay with a line-up including Sam Tompkins; Berwyn, voted NME best new act, and Newcastle singer-songwriter Heidi Curtis. And Rock 'n' Roll Circus, which made its debut on the Town Moor over two dates last June - with an immersive circus experience including aerial artists, stilt walkers and acrobats as well as a music bill, hosted under a Big Top, headlined by Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds and including The Libertines, DMA's, Peter Doherty, Charlatans and Newcastle favourite Andrew Cushin - had invited people to sign up on its website for 'exciting updates for 2023' then revealed the event will be in Sheffield.
Let's Rock the North East - June 10
Subject to licence approval, this day-long eighties feast will be back this summer, not to Herrington County Park in Houghton-le-Spring but to Albert Park in Middlesbrough. Big names planned for this year's retro fest include Tony Hadley, making a return, plus The Human League, OMD and Midge Ure.
More of those rocking acts are Nik Kershaw, Go West, Roland Gift, Huw & Cry and Five Star. Tickets are on sale here.
Corbridge Festival
The popular two-day event at Tynedale Park in the Northumberland town was looking for to make a comeback after two years of Covid cancellations to a new home last year but had to cancel. It has said, however, that it will be back in 2023 so no dolubt regulars will have been expecting the usual packed programme of music and added food and drink attractions.
While it had said this year's festival "it will happen and it will be magnificent!", there has been no further news although we will be bringing more news if and when we can.
Blyth Live Festival - June 17
Poptastic bands Liberty X and 911 have now been announced for the free family beach festival, funded by Blyth Town Council, with more acts yet to be revealed. It's great nows for the event which had been cancelled for two years, due to the pandemic, ahead of its return last June with Boyzlife as headliners and added attractions of street theatre, food outlets and a family activity area.
The Blyth beach leg of the dual event which used to be called Northumberland Live reminded people in a post on its Facebook page that while people won't need to buy tickets they will need to get there early.
Coastella - June 30 to July 2
This new North Shields music festival was announced in January, revealing plans for the summer debut of a three-day outdoor festival, thanks to sponsorship from Sunday for Sammy, with a strong focus on local talent and headlined by The Futureheads and Judge Jules. And now it has announced another headliner - London indie rock stars Mystery Jets who will bringing to the mix a blend of pop, 'kaleidoscopic folk', indie rock and post-punk sounds on the Sunday.
The man behind the ambitious plan is local bar owner John Peacock who says he is "over the moon" at the latest headline addition and Ray Laidlaw, administrator for Sunday for Sammy which is sponsoring the festival's second stage, has said he reckons it's going to be a special event. There will be two main stages, with around 100 acts being hosted at the festival site at Percy Park Rugby Club where food vendors and bars also will be set up.
Other confirmed performers include Liam Fender, Ruth Lyon; Michael Gallagher, Hector Gannet and Frankie Jobling. The Friday leg of the festival is for over-18s only while the weekend can accommodate those aged 14-plus if accompanied by an adult. For Friday tickets and weekend passes see the festival website here.
Kubix Festival - July 15
The event, which made its debut in Sunderland in summer 2018, upped the ante even more in 2022 with dance-pop favourites Steps headlining its pop day programme at Herrington County Park (with a separate second day of rock to follow later in the month: read about that below). This summer it is planning to come back equally strong.
The pop-focused first day, July 15, will see Sugababes lead the way, accompanied by Blue, Five, 9-11, A1, Ultrabeat and Basshunter. See the full line-up and how to buy tickets on its website here.
Mouth of the Tyne - July 6-9
The annual coastal festival, which attracts around 100,000 visitors and has been running for more than 16 years, is to be back with an even longer stint in July running over four days and the ever-popular Gabriella was the first act announced, with tickets going on sale to see her perform at Tynemouth Priory on the festival's last day.
News of Siouxsie as the Friday night headliner followed and there is no announcement yet for Saturday but we'll be updating the guide if there is news. Besides outdoor concerts taking place at the Priory, the festival usually also plays out at a range of venues including The Playhouse Whitley Bay and the Surf Café in Tynemouth .
South Tyneside Festival - July to August
This summer blockbuster has announced a whopping line-up for 2023 including Jason Donovan, The Vamps, Boyzlife and Björn Again - read about them here - and will run from July to August with a range of entertainment. Regulars know to expect the likes of a Summer Parade to kick off the whole party schedule with live music and Proms in the Park concerts in Bents Park to follow.
See the whole programme on its website here.
Durham Brass Festival - July 9-16
Brass will be back this summer and the popular Durham County Council-run event will brings Durham city streets alive with the sound of brass, in all its forms. Its summer date always has a hot summer hot line-up to match, sweeping from brass beats to salsa, swing, big band, choral performances and even rock 'n' roll, and among this year's performers will be Fat Freddy's Drop, The Fairey Band and Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band.
There will be performances too in Gala Theatre and possibly Durham Cathedral as traditional and contemporary styles make their presence felt. The region's proud brass band heritage always gets a good look in too of course. See here.
Kubix - July 22
The Sunderland festival's rock and indie day will be bringing the likes of Squeeze, The Enemy, Marc Almond and Heaven 17 to Herrington Park for their turn in the sun, so to speak. For the full line-up and to buy tickets see here.
Gallagher Park Live -July 22
This free festival returned to Bedlington in Northumberland last July, having missed two years because of Covid and it is thanks to funding from East Bedlington Parish Council; parish and town council contributions plus private donations that it could make a comeback - with Dodgy and S Club Allstars on the line-up and family-friendly festival attractions including fairground rides and food outlets.
This time East Bedlington Parish Council, which will be managing it internally from now on, has confirmed just its dates so far and says people can contact it for more information.
Scoop Music Festival - July 28-30
The family-friendly festival showcasing local rock, pop and tribute bands moved to new County Durham site last year and will be back there again in the summer: in the spectacular grounds of Burnhopeside Hall, former home of Puffing Billy engineer William Hedley, near Lanchester where camping options are also available.
This time around it says: "We are thinking bigger! Bigger stage, bigger sound, more stalls and also an additional stage for original and cover bands." It says applications from those wanting to play there are now open - contact scoopapplication@events85.co.uk - and that we are in for an "amazing" event.
Expect plenty family entertainment, street food and bar facilities too. Tickets are on sale here.
Big Sound Festival - July 29
This family music festival will be taking place at Blaydon Rugby Club with five top tribute bands heading the line-up. Organisers are calling it a festival not to be missed and its family attractions will include a children’s Play Zone.
On the bill will be a timely Tina Turner act called Simply Tina, described as 'simply the best' tribute to the late star; Ezra Live, recreating George Ezra hits; Oasis 96 and Coldplay tribute Live In Technicolour, while the Manchester Anthems will be paying homage to the Madchester/Baggy/Hacienda era of the likes of Stone Roses, Oasis, Happy Mondays, The Smiths, Primal Scream, James, Inspiral Carpets and Charlatans.
The day's entertainment will run from noon until 9.30pm . Festival-goers can expect a range of food outlets and bars and for information about some 'super early bird' and 'early bird' tickets see here.
Benfest - July 29-30
This new festival is being launched at Newcastle Benfield Football Club to help both the club and local community, it says, and it is promising the best tribute bands in one weekend - plus a Bongo's Bingo Event on both days. It is out to make its debut in style with a Saturday line-up kicking off with Whodlums at 2.30pm to be followed by Bryan Adams Experience, Rio - showcasing hits of Duran Duran - and then The Smiths Ltd before the Guns 'n' Roses Experience wraps up from 9pm.
Sunday's programme is set to start around 12.30pm with Fleetwood Mac tribute Fleety Hack followed by hour-long sets from Harry Stylish, Oasism, Absolutely Abba and - from 7pm-8pm - Queen tribute band We Are Champion. Times are approximate,
Tickets are £15 (£10 for early bird) for a day or £30 for the weekend (£18 early bird): see here to book - and see the event's website here.
The Shoe Shaker Fest - August 5
A nineties dance music festival is set to bring international DJs to Cramlington in Northumberland and promising to 'shake' up the scene this summer. The festival, featuring dance music stars Sash! and Kelly Llorenna, is a first, organised by Three Horse Shoes pub owner Kathie Turnbull and set tol take place in a disused field, a greenfield site, next to Northumberlandia. Promising a nostalgic celebration on the nineties, it us out to transport festival-goers back to that era with the help of a line-up which also includes the likes of Andy Whitby, QFX, Dream Frequency and Ultrasonic.
It hopes to bring a boost to Cramlington's economy too and there are hopes to evolve and expand it in the future. For tickets see here.
LooseFest - August 5-6
If you thought last year's event was a cracker - which had Tinchy Stryder bigging up the festival on its new Newcastle Town Moor home - then expect even bigger and better this year when LooseFest makes its return. Following up on that chart-topping rapper will be global star Sean Paul and grime star Tinie Tempah alongside big names such as Chase & Status, Patrick Topping and Craig David.
There will be five music arenas and a huge range of extras - read more about those here - and for extra information and tickets, some of which are already sold out, see here.
Lamplight Festival
It's not had much luck this one, whose already much-delayed debut had been finally set to see the new planned music festival get off the ground at Mowbray Park in Sunderland last August with a programme headlined by Kaiser Chiefs and Deacon Blue - only for it to be cancelled again. We've yet to hear if there any plans to give it another go.
Between Woods and Streams
A search last year for news of the previous Coquetfest - the family camping festival, named after the local river and island, at Druridge Bay Country Park - turned up details of this rather lovely-named music and camping festival in rural Northumberland. It ran at West Benridge Farm near Morpeth, from August 12-13 with organisers offering local music followed in the morning by other traditional North East of "pigeon racing and whippets". There's no news on its website of a return in 2023 but we're keeping eyes peeled.
Noughty 90s Festival - August 26-27
Bring the party on. As its name suggests, this glut of music celebrates the sounds of the 1990s and noughties and last year that meant an August Bank Holiday weekender in Newcastle with a pop-fest including S Club, N-Trance, 911, Liberty X, Gareth Gates and a whole load more tearing up Leazes Park in the best possible way.
Anyone who missed out last time can join the Noughty 90s party over two days this year. It says: "Ok Newcastle... You know the drill. We're back! August Bank Holiday weekend." Tickets are on sale here: keep an eye out for line-up news.
Hardwick Festival - August 18-20
Often billed as the biggest music festival in the North East, the County Durham music showcase also has sites for tents, campervans and glamping within a short distance of the Festival Field. And luckily the Sedgefield site has plenty room for dancing as a cracking line-up has been announced for this year.
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds are on the programme, as the last day's headliners - when Newcastle's Andrew Cushin also will be taking to the stage - and prior to that Hacienda Classical and The Kooks will be topping the bill. Expect lots more - including more local favourites Smoove & Turrell plus Scouting For Girls - as well as big DJ names, bars, a food village and fairground rides too. For tickets and camping and glamping pass options see here.
Lindisfarne Festival – August 31 - September 3
Since this independent music and creative arts festival made its debut on the Northumberland coast, it has stood out; not least thanks to having Holy Island as its impressive backdrop. Initially, 2,000 people descended on Beal Farm to enjoy a line-up of top DJs and musicians, street food outlets and alternative therapists and now it has grown hugely with around 200 acts performing across 10 stages.
Born of a desire to create something special for the North East, it continues to please with a diverse line-up for what's billed as 'the ultimate end-of-summer party' and this year - which will be its eighth edition - has Primal Scream topping the bill. The Scottish rockers will take to the stage on the Friday night, followed by Pendulum on Saturday, while other names on the line-up include folk music favourite Kathryn Tickell and the Darkening; Bootleg Beatles; Gentleman’s Dub Club; The Cuban Brothers; Dutty Moonshine Big Band; Altern-8; The Lancashire Hotpots, The Undercover Hippy and The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican.
Festival founder, Conleth Maenpaa said: “We always want to make sure we’re offering something brilliant for every one of the 7,000-plus people who come to Lindisfarne every year and the bill of acts for 2023 is coming together beautifully.” A three-day festival pass costs £115, including camping and monthly payment plans are available. For ticket details see here and for more about Lindisfarne Festival see here.
Druridge Bay Campout - September 15-17
In its picturesque Northumberland setting, this small family-friendly festival will be back for two evenings of live local music and camping followed by a beach clean on the third day - which is entirely optional say organisers but makes for a great hangover cure. Read more here about the event in Druridge Bay Country Park, near Morpeth, whose line-up will include the likes of The Ska45's Band; The Marley Experience and The mOObs.
Organisers add: "For those that opt to camp, you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings, arrive there early and have a lakeside view for the weekend." Other attractions on the site will include a range of food vendors and a bar. For tickets, including options for both day visitors and camping, see here.
RiseFest
Born out of the popular Newcastle club night, this new alt-music festival made its day-long debut at Northumbria University Students Union last September. From the team behind alternative music club night Rise, it promised an event made "by music lovers for music lovers" - and it delivered.
We've yet to discover about any plans for a return but it posted a Facebook message about its 'all worth it' journey which included the message: "The only thing we need to do is see who’s in for Risefest 23" and it invited comments about who people would like to see. So watch this space.
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