South Tyneside acts taking the stage at Sunderland music festival

Customs House executive director Ray Spencer will be co-hosting the Summer Streets Musical Festival alongside Look North presenter Jeff Brown, who hails from Jarrow.

South Shields bluegrass band The Heavenly Thrillbillies will also take to the stage.

The group was one of the first to be confirmed for the annual event, which is set to be held in Thompson Park, Southwick,Sunderland, on the weekend of July 16 and 17.

It will be the third time the event has been held, and is being delivered on behalf of the Cultural Spring by Futureheads and Frankie and the Heartstrings star Ross Millard. The Cultural Spring is an Arts Council-funded project working to increase participation in the arts in South Tyneside and Wearside.

Ross said: “The event is building up a momentum and has become a popular date in the musical calendar. Summer Streets is a celebration of all of the great music being made in our communities, on our doorsteps.”

The festival will start with a parade from Southwick Primary School to Thompson Park, Sunderland, at noon on July 16.

The event will be made up of three stages and smaller teepees, with the musical programme running from 1pm to 7pm.

Ross added: “We have a good amount of the programme booked in already, including what will be a truly memorable performance from the Royal Northern Sinfonia. 

“We also have local indie DIY sensations Martha, The Heavenly Thrillbillies, who are a fantastic bluegrass band from South Shields, and Dennis, who were a big hit at the festival last year.”

Musical performances on July 17 will run from noon to 4.30pm. For information, go to www.theculturalspring.org.uk