Music is blasting back to the North East this summer with both local bands and big-name stars all packing out their schedules with concert and festival dates to make up for all those Covid cancellations and postponements.
Fans in the region are currently spoiled for choice when it comes to the mix of music out there and among the gigs taking place this weekend alone are Sophie Ellis-Bextor - playing Mouth of the Tyne festival - and Will Young drawing crowds over the river at Bents Park in South Shields as part of the three-month South Tyneside Festival.
We have various information guides for festival-goers who, being so long deprived of music, might well have forgotten how outdoor events work. Many have entry rules which are worth a reminder so as to avoid any last-minute hassle that might take the shine off what should be a chill-out day.
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We have information already about rules for Mouth of the Tyne this Friday, when Keane are playing, and for the Sunday programme so we're focusing here on South Tyneside's run of summer shows - here's how the sea front festival's centrepiece parade got under way.
The festival plays out throughout the summer with the free series of live open-air Sunday concerts - running July 10, 17, 24 and 31 - at Bents Park being kicked off by Will Young this weekend. Here's a guide to who else will be taking to the stage and below is everything you need to know about entry and security rules which you'll need to follow for the gigs.
South Tyneside Festival rules
Gates will open about 12.45pm and for each concert's timings see here. Entry is free so tickets are not required - although there is priority access available to buy. For a site plan for the gigs at Bents Park - which is in Sea Road, South Shields, opposite the award-winning Sandhaven Beach - and for more information see here.
Entry
- The festival 'strongly suggests' that dogs aren't taken along to concerts due to the noise and crowds. Anyone who does bring a dog should keep it on its lead and on the outskirts of the main crowd.
- Food can be taken into the park but BBQs are banned. There will be catering units on the park's northern side selling hot food, ice cream and confectionery.
- Deckchairs are allowed. It's recommended that anyone bringing them sets up them some way back from the stage.
- There will be bars on-site selling a range of drinks 'at competitive prices', say organisers, but people can take along their own alcohol - in moderation. They are asked to put their empties in the recycling bins provided. Anyone drunk or boisterous will be asked by the stewards to leave.
- Small pop-up tents are allowed, as long as they are behind the mixing desk platform and not right in front of the stage area. But if crowds are too big, this might change, in which the stewards and compere will make an announcement saying there's not enough room.
- Festivalgoers are asked to cut down on waste and use the litter bins provided.
- Photography and filming of family and friends is allowed but people should be respectful of others' privacy.
Security
- Bags will be subject to checks on entering the park so there may be delays in the bag search areas. Festivalgoers are asked to limit the number of bags they bring to help speed up the process.
- Sharp instruments are banned.
- The festival says it is important for people to know how to stay safe and what to do in the rare case of an emergency and refers people to safety tips on the Counter Terrorism Policing's website here. That may sound a bit extreme but, besides the Run, Hide, Tell advice in the rare event of terrorism acts, the site offers basic advice such as arrive early to allow for extra security measures; don't bring unnecessary items; don't leaving bags unattended and never agree to look after anyone else’s bags. There are always emergency plans in place to keep people safe.
Festival entertainment will continue in South Tyneside until August and, besides the concerts in Bents Park, there will be Sunday afternoon brass bands performances to come at the Victorian bandstand in South Marine Park on most Saturdays between July 23 and September 3. Children's entertainment will include a Kids Fun Fest on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons during August . For the full programme see here or follow South Tyneside festival's Facebook page.
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