Stockton Weekender is here!

Teesside’s biggest outdoor festival, Stockton Weekender is finally here – and as it enters it’s sophomore year, is set for a record-breaking year.

On Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th August over 50 acts will perform across 4 stages and to a record breaking crowd, with 2012 ticket sales completely smash last years, as crowds flock to catch the likes of The Pogues and James.

After a triumphant debut in 2011 Stockton Weekender returns with an additional stage – The Vela Stage – alongside the Main Stage, as well as the all-new Tees Active Cabaret Tent, children’s activity centre The Kaleidoscope Tent and The Georgian Theatre.

Friday 3 August kicks the festivities off with an evening of free entertainment provided by a diverse mix of top tribute and cover acts. Fab Four tribute Beatlemania head up the bill with Kings of Lyon, Lizzy Once Moore and The Funk Collective getting crowds warmed up beforehand.

Celtic punk legends The Pogues, who are famed for their raucous sell out shows, will headline a talent-packed Main Stage on Saturday 4 August. The band reached international prominence with hits such as Irish Rover, Rainy Night in Soho, and, most notably, number 1 hit Fairytale of New York (ft Kirsty MacColl.)

American indie rockers We Are Scientists and Brighton 6-piece The Go! Team are also lined up for crowds on Saturday, with Teesside acts Young Rebel Set, The Chapman Family, Collectors Club, By Toutatis, Randy and the Handstand Band and Vela Battle of the Band competition winners, The Panoramic.

Sunday’s Main Stage programme is just as impressive with Sit Down hit makers James closing the weekend’s proceedings. The Manchester band has had a long and impressive career producing a string of anthems and they never fail to delight audiences across the globe.

Also confirmed for the Sunday night is a very special acoustic set from Simon and Oscar of Ocean Colour Scene, performing all of the bands greatest hits. Man of the moment Jake Bugg and up and coming artists Hyde & Beast, Cattle & Cane, The Milk and Ragmans Jukebox will give crowds a taste of the future as all are tipped for big things.

The newly introduced Vela Stage will host a mixture of well-known names and local talent over the weekend including Sheffield band The Crookes, American singer-songwriter Willy Mason, psychedelic rockers TOY, Symphonic Pictures and the much-hyped North East act The Lake Poets.

Local representation comes in the form of Weird Shapes, Jimmy & The Sound, The Purnells, Broken Broadcast, Different Strokes, The Woven Project, Goy Boy McIlroy, Eeves, Alistair Sheerin and Palace.

Although the Weekender is primarily a music festival the Tees Active Cabaret Tent will accommodate a touch of comedy and spoken word as well as a variety of music acts.

Providing the laughs this year will be headliners Alun Cochrane and The New Rope String Band, as well as local improv troupe Hoist The Rag.
Cochrane is a Perrier nominated comedian who can regularly be seen on TV shows such as 8 out of 10 Cats and Mock The Week.

Music from Irish troubadour Dan Donnelly, Fleet Foxes-esque The Bluebuds, Northern Soul gurus The Roundels, the 21-strong The Stockton to Darlington Ukulele Express, the epic Mercedes, psych folk act Silver Trees, alt folk collective Danny’s House and post-punk 2-piece Pony And Trap will give festival goers a little something different to enjoy away from the outdoor stages.

Author of Apples, Ten Storey Love Song and Kimberly’s Capital Punishment, Richard Milward will also do a special performance each day.

The Georgian Theatre continues its tradition of free events with a film screening of The Can House on Friday, a day of alternative music on Saturday and the beloved Jazz Day on Sunday.

The venue will also host the official After Show Parties on Friday and Saturday night. The Saturday night includes a performance from one of our favourites: The Imagineers.

Tickets are selling extremely fast and advanced booking is recommended. Ticket prices now stand at £20 a day, £30 for the weekend and £50 for camping. Ticket prices will increase on Saturday 4 August to £30 a day and £30 weekend.

As last year each adult ticket entitles the holder to 2 free Under 14s tickets. Tickets are available online from:
http://www.stocktonweekender.co.uk/or call 01642 606612.

There will be a Wristband exchange held at Green Dragon Studios on Thursday 2 and Friday 3 August for those wanting to get their wristbands early, and for anyone who may be required to provide I.D.

LINKS:

STOCKTON WEEKENDER: http://www.stocktonweekender.co.uk/

By peter on July 31, 2012