Tickets selling fast for Bents Park gigs this summer - despite major change
Tickets selling fast for this summer’s Bents Park gigs in South Shields.
Music fans having to pay to see bands play for the first time at South Tyneside’s summer pop festival are snapping up tickets fast, according to council organisers.
They say the £5 adult entry price to the seafront Bents Park venue in South Shields has proved no hindrance to early sales – but could not confirm numbers.
Despite that, they described purchases as “very positive” for the series of three Sunday shows, starting on July 19.
Taking the stage by storm will be borough-born singer Joe McElderry, 1980s hitmakers ABC, The One and Only star Chesney Hawkes and DJ Judge Jules.
Although the shows are fully ticketed, council bosses insist prices have been kept as low as possible to ensure the event remains accessible and affordable.
Bents Park ticket prices
General admission is £5 for those aged 17 to 65, £2 for 11 to 16-year-olds or 66 and over, and free for those aged 10 and under.
A South Tyneside Council spokesperson said: “Early ticket sales for our Sunday Concerts have been very positive, with headline acts already generating plenty of interest.
“We’re urging people to secure their tickets soon to avoid missing out. It’s quick and easy to secure tickets online.”
South Tyneside has run a summer festival since 1989, and it has existed in its current form since 2006, though previously all shows were free entry.
Bents Park gigs - here’s who is performing
Homegrown talent McElderry will perform at the first concert, supported by Liverpool songstress Sonia and local singers, Shelley Stevens and Channy.
Sonia’s Stock Aitken and Waterman penned tracks, including 1989's You’ll Never Stop Me Loving You, made her name.
Sheffield band ABC, whose hits include All of My Heart, The Look of Love, Poison Arrow, SOS and When Smokey Sings, will headline the following week.
They will be supported by Hawkes, best known for his 1991 smash hit The One and Only, which was written by Nik Kershaw, who headlined last year.
The line-up includes Nuromantica, who will bring the sounds of the decade to life with a set packed full of classic 80s synth-pop hits.
The concerts draw to a close on August 2, with a high-energy finale from DJ Judge Jules, who will play dancefloor favourites alongside a live band.
Also featured is Ultrabeat, one of the leading UK commercial dance artists.
Tickets are available at www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk