Spandau Ballet's Tony Hadley returning to South Shields for summer concert

Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley is set to perform a solo show in Bents Park, South Shields.

The singer will take to the stage on Sunday, July 24 as part of the South Tyneside Festival.

The gig will see him return to the Sea Road venue having already put on a concert in 2006.

This will be the third in a series of four Sunday Concerts taking place as part of the annual event, with a trio of X Factor favourites and Scottish duo The Proclaimers, already announced to headline the first two.

Tony, who has released five solo albums since Spandau Ballet disbanded in 1990, has been entertaining audiences around the world for more than 25 years.

His unmistakeable voice, heard on hits tracks such as Gold, True, Only When You Leave and Through The Barricades, is recognised as one of the greatest in British pop music and will be flooding Bents Park to wow fans of all ages.

“There’s nothing like being in front of a crowd,” said Tony. “I can’t wait to perform some classic Spandau Ballet songs in South Tyneside and give audiences a sneak peek at a couple of the tracks I have been working on for my new album.”

South Tyneside Festival’s Sunday Concert series, which runs over four consecutive weekends in July, is organised by South Tyneside Council in partnership with BBC Newcastle 95.4FM and sponsored by Zeera Indian restaurant and takeaway, Port of Tyne, Colmans fish and chips and NCS (National Citizen Service).

Already confirmed to perform are X Factor stars Alexandra Burke, Ben Haenow and Reggie ‘n’ Bollie on July 10, The Proclaimers on July 17 and now Tony Hadley on July 24. The final headline act is expected to be announced for July 31 in the coming days.

The South Tyneside Festival also includes live music at South Shields’ open-air Amphitheatre twice weekly in June, a Maritime Mayhem-themed parade on July 2 and Kids fun Fest parties throughout August.

Coun Alan Kerr, deputy leader of South Tyneside Council, with responsibility for culture and leisure, said: “Tony Hadley is one of the greatest vocalists of the past 30 years and we are delighted he will be leading the Sunday Concert series alongside The Proclaimers and our trio of X Factor stars. It’s going to be a great summer.”

For full listings go to www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk or call 0191 424 7788.