Indie trio Two Door Cinema Club have become the second-ever band to appear at Newcastle's 'history-making' Covid-safe venue.
The Virgin Money Unity Arena, at Newcastle Racecourse, this week played host to two wildly popular shows by local lad Sam Fender, and is now continuing in its mission to bring live music back to the summer of 2020.
The Northern Irish musicians played two sets on Saturday, a midday show and one starting at 6pm and playing into the evening, crediting high demand for making the extra show possible.
As at Sam Fender's two sold-out gigs at the arena, fans were kept at a safe social distance, watching the show from individual viewing platforms.
Ahead of the set, the band told followers on Twitter they "weren’t expecting to play any live shows this year" making them "extra excited" for the Unity Arena gig.
The arena now swings into its full summer programme, with live music and comedy planned throughout August and into September.
On Sunday night, cover bands the Bootleg Beatles and Björn Again are set to delight music lovers with "stunningly authentic" cover shows.
There will also be comedy on Sunday, with a evening of stand-up and music from ex-junior doctor Adam Kay, author of bestselling book ‘This is Going to Hurt’, based on his experiences working in the NHS.
Other performers set to appear at the arena, which has been praised for "setting the standard" for live music worldwide following the coronavirus crisis, include Jimmy Carr, Van Morrison, The Libertines, and Ronan Keating.
The venue has attracted some criticism, with Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan labelling it “sooooo weird", but the detractors have been widely derided by Geordies, who are celebrating becoming a UK and even world first in socially distanced events.
Tickets are still available for many of the shows, and can be found at https://virginmoneyunityarena.com/events/
