Preparations for LooseFest are gathering pace in Newcastle with work under way on a huge site for the music festival on the Town Moor.
The event, billed as the largest music festival ever in the North East, is set to draw around 60,000 fans over its July 30-31 run with more than 80 acts taking to the stage, including headliners Black Eyed Peas, playing their only England gig, and Mabel singing new single Good Luck. And its big ambitions have already attracted the attention of Ant and Dec who said on Twitter that the line-up “looks amazing”.
There will be several stages and the festival site will also include a food village and carnival fairground with a Ferris wheel and big top. And music fans will find plenty Instagrammable installations too, say organisers.
Read more: The LooseFest line-up revealed
Music has already come blasting back to the North East this summer and we've already had some cracking events, including this weekend's latest Bents Park gigs and Dance Revival at South Tyneside Festival. As the countdown to LooseFest continues, here's a reminder of the range of music festivals there are still to come in the North East.
Summer music festivals to come
Little Lindi - July 22-25
This new festival, this one - by the organisers of Lindisfarne Festival - promises a new family camping experience on the Lambton Estate in County Durham. Headliners will be Ministry of Sound Disco Band - the 16-piece funk and soul collective which will be performing classics such as Ain’t Nobody; Le Freak; I Feel Love; One More Time and Get Lucky - and BBC 6 Music DJ Huey Morgan, formerly of Fun Lovin’ Criminals.
Besides the music, there will be the likes of theatre, storytelling, puppet-making and circus sessions plus workshops and walks. See here.
Scoop Music Festival - July 29-30
The family-friendly festival showcasing local rock, pop and tribute bands will take place in the grounds of Burnhopeside Hall near Lanchester where camping options are also available.
The music line-up includes Mumford & Sons tribute band Chasing Mumford; R.E.M. tribute Stipe; Teesside ska/two-tone band The Skapones and Brit-popsters The National Anthems from Newcastle. There will be family entertainment, street food and a bar. For tickets see here.
LooseFest - July 30-31
Black Eyed Peas will get the ball rolling at the festival on Newcastle Town Moor and Mabel will be following suit the next night. Read more about what to expect here.
Between Woods and Streams - August 12-13
This music and camping festival in rural Northumberland has The Futureheads as headliners.
The rather lovely-named event will take place at West Benridge Farm near Morpeth, kicking off at 6pm on the Friday and continuing on the Saturday from 11am to midnight when organisers say there will be other special North East traditional treats in the morning: "pigeon racing and whippets". Expect plenty local musical talent on display too. See here and for tickets see here.
Noughty 90s Festival - August 27-28
Popping onto the festival scene at Leazes Park in Newcastle will be S Club and N-Trance - back from last year's festival - plus the likes of 911, Liberty X, Gareth Gates, Kroud Karaoke and lots more. Read more about the Bank Holiday weekender here and see what tickets are available here.
Hardwick Festival - August 20-21
The County Durham music showcase also has room for tents, campervans and glamping at its Sedgefield site where Stereophonics and The Specials will be headlining. Other acts on the bill include 30 big name DJs while attractions also include bars, a food village and fairground rides. See here for information and tickets.
Lindisfarne Festival - September 1-14
The independent music and creative arts festival at Beal Farm, which has Holy Island as its backdrop, will feature around 200 acts across 10 stages and headliners will be headliners ska legends Madness and drum and bass band Rudimental. Read more here and for ticket information see here.
RiseFest - September 10
A new alt-music festival, this day-long affair is set to take place at Northumbria University Students Union with Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes as headliners. From the team behind alternative music club night Rise, it promises to be one made "by music lovers for music lovers". Read more here and find ticket details here.
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