Sizzling summer sensations on way

Apr 22 2008 by Barbara Hodgson, The Journal

SINEAD O’Connor and Grammy Award winner kd lang are just two of the singing sensations due to get Tyneside sizzling this summer.

The big names are to headline this year’s SummerTyne festival at The Sage Gateshead where tickets have just gone on sale.

The festival, now in its third year, takes place from July 18-27 with a packed programme which also includes country queen Eve Selis and a special one-off acoustic show from Martha Wainwright for the SummerTyne Americana weekend.

A real coup on July 26 is Canadian singer and songwriter kd lang who has won a total of four Grammy Awards for her country and pop music, while controversial Dublin-born Sinead O’Connor is said to be bringing a rare stripped-back acoustic show on July 22.

Also included in the line-up will be Mayra Andrade, the newly-announced winner of the 2008 BBC World Music Award for Best Newcomer, who will perform with acoustic guitarist virtuoso Antonio Forcione, and Small Faces’ Ian McLagan who will also perform during the free outdoor Americana weekend.

A double bill from two New Orleans funk and soul acts, the Neville Brothers and the Allen Toussaint Quartet, is a UK exclusive.

Other highlights include bluegrass act Cherryholmes from Nashville, and Seattle-based singer songwriter Brandi Carlile, cited by Rolling Stone magazine as a hot tip for 2008. Ros Rigby, performance programme director of The Sage, said: “SummerTyne continues to grow.

“Culminating in the popular Americana weekend, always a highlight and this year stronger than ever, the festival has wide appeal and will draw both local audiences and those from outside the region.”

The SummerTyne festival will also include a host of family attractions.

While grown-ups can hotfoot it along to a late-night Latin Dance Party, held in association with the ¡VAMOS! Festival, there’ll be a Family Choir, with early-years sessions for under-fives; a Planet Music event for five to seven-year-olds; family ceilidhs, salsa and capoeira workshops; steel pan classes; Make a Tune sessions in The Sage Gateshead’s ExploreMusic; a chance to learn sea shanties with The Keelers; and Playing the Building musical tours of The Sage every lunchtime.

On the festival’s opening weekend, the free outdoor programme includes Latin and Caribbean summer sounds on July 19 and 20, including reggae music programmed by the Boss Sounds Festival team; a CoMusica local bands showcase on July 22; a Jumpin’ Hot stage for the Americana weekend on July 26-27; plus film screenings and special guest slots.

For tickets to all events visit www.thesagegateshead.org or call (0191) 443-4661.