South Tynesiders are in for a treat this year, there's a whole host of pop sensations, music legends and trendy bands ready to entertain crowds for free.

And today the Gazette can reveal the line-up for the Sunday Concert Pop Spectacular which will be held on July 27.

Journey South, ex-Atomic Kitten Natasha Hamilton, Same Difference and City Girls will all be performing at Bents Park in South Shields.

Three years on from reaching the final of ITV1's X Factor, Middlesbrough brothers Carl and Andy Pemberton are still doing what they love best.

With the release of their second album Home on their own ANCA label and a new major headline tour, the Journey South success story continues.

Carl said: "We keep pinching ourselves, as we can't quite believe we're finally doing it.

"The best thing is seeing our parents look so proud. They have been amazingly supportive over the years."

Also just missing out on scooping the top spot on last year's X Factor was Same Difference, siblings Sean and Sarah from Portsmouth.

The duo have signed a one-single contract with Simon Cowell's label Syco, and during the X Factor Live tour the pair confirmed that the single, due to be released this summer, will be a cover of Breaking Free from Disney's High School Musical.

Natasha Hamilton has already made a cracking start to 2008. Her single Round and Round broke into the US top 20 dance singles and went to No 1 in the Brazilian dance charts.

New to the music scene are City Girls - Sheena Anderson, 23, Rebecca Doran, Sian Charlesworth, 21, and 18-year-old Sophie Leniston, who make up a catchy quartet with a new take on mainstream dance music.

Their debut single OMG is due to be released in July.

Kick-starting the first of the Sunday concerts will be Lulu on July 6.

The Scottish singer will certainly been making fans want to 'Shout' as she treats them to all the old favourites.

She'll be supported by 4 Worried Men, who despite the name, are a five-piece band who play everything from the Beatles to classic rock.

Roland Gift, former member of the Fine Young Cannibals, will be strutting his stuff on Sunday, July 20, with support from local lads Tadpole Pie.

And wrapping up the last of the free concerts on Sunday, August 3, is the 60s Extravaganza with The Move, The Animals and legends of the era – featuring ex-Kink Mick Avory and Eric Haydock, formerly of the Hollies.

Music can be heard every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at the Amphitheatre, starting from June 1 with a performance from Westoe Brass.

Local band Crippling Jack, plus The New Stories, will be the first acts to provide live music at the Sea Road venue in South Shields from Thursday, June 5.

Performances will continue throughout the summer until Sunday, August 31, with a range of local talent and promising young musicians.

Coun Jim Sewell, South Tyneside Council's lead member for culture and wellbeing, said: "We are very proud of our free Summer Festival here in South Tyneside, and this year promises to be a cracker.

"Attracting Lulu to top the bill is a great coup for the borough, and I'm sure she'll prove to be a big draw.

He added: "Visitors and residents alike can look forward to some fantastic events featuring an array of talented performers – there really will be something for everyone.

"South Tyneside is definitely the place to be this summer!"

A special Summer Festival supplement which will have the full listings of events taking place, will appear in your Gazette later this month.