The full line-up for one of the UK’s biggest events has been unveiled with X Factor star Joe McElderry offering a taste of what’s on offer.
Joe, who won the ITV series in 2009, is set to be one of the star attractions at the South Tyneside Summer Festival 2011, making a triumphant return to his South Shields hometown on July 24 as part of the festival’s three month programme of free events.
The singer, whose debut album reached number three in the UK charts, was recently joined by representatives from event organisers South Tyneside Council and sponsors MInchella & Co to launch the festival’s printed guide, which includes details of every event being held during the festival from June until the end of August.
As well as Joe’s homecoming gig, the South Tyneside Summer Festival 2011 will include two further open air Sunday concerts in Bents Park, South Shields, featuring headline performances by Sophie Ellis Bextor, with support from rockabilly band Sinead and Dawnbreakers and up and coming boyband Twenty Twenty (July 17) and 90s groups The Lightning Seeds and Dodgy (July 31).
The newly-printed guide, launched over an ice-cream at Minchellas by Joe and friends, also includes complete listings for the festival’s series of concerts by North East artists at the South Shields Amphitheatre during June, the brass band performances taking place throughout the summer and the popular Music In The Bandstand series which returns to the town’s South Marine Park during July and August.
Families reading the guide will also find full details of this year’s Tommy’s Parties, open to young people aged one to 15, including fancy dress themes and a list of the guest performers who will join host Tommy the Trumpeter at each of the twice-weekly parties during August.
Joe said: “The people of the North East were extremely supportive during my time on the X Factor and have been ever since. I’m really looking forward to performing for them in my hometown and having the chance to be part of the South Tyneside Summer Festival, which I used to attend as a music fan growing up.”
Councillor Tracey Dixon, Lead member for Leisure and Community Safety for South Tyneside Council, said: “The South Tyneside Summer Festival 2011 looks set to be one of the best yet and we’re particularly excited that Joe will be headlining the first show in his hometown as part of this year’s bumper line-up.”
Michael Minchella of Minchella & Co said: “The South Tyneside Summer Festival is a fantastic event for the North East. We’re delighted to continue our involvement and I would encourage everyone to get their copy of the new printed guide so they don’t miss out on any of this year’s fantastic events.”
The South Tyneside Summer Festival, organised by South Tyneside Council, is one of the biggest free events to be held in the UK, annually attracting thousands of visitors for three months of large concerts, intimate gigs and family entertainment.
All events being held as part of the festival are free.