Big names to top the bill at Evolution festival

Feb 19 2010 by Gordon Barr, The Journal

SOME of the biggest names in British music will top the bill at this year’s Evolution festival on the banks of the River Tyne.

Established acts like Paolo Nutini, Tinchy Stryder and Calvin Harris will be joined by the likes of Futureheads and new-girl-on-the-block Ellie Goulding for this year’s two-day spectacular.

Evolution Festival 2010 is the North East’s largest music event and takes place on the Bank Holiday weekend of May 30 and 31.

The event has previously played host to some of music’s biggest names, old and new, including Dizzee Rascal, Maximo Park and The Human League, as well as up-and-coming acts including Duffy and Marina & The Diamonds before many fans had even heard of them.

This year’s line-up will take place on the Spillers and Baltic stages, as well as a new folk and roots area called the Ballast Hill stage.

Sunday will see the Spillers Stage situated on Spillers Wharf on Newcastle’s quayside headlined by Scottish troubadour Paolo Nutini. Fellow Scot Calvin Harris, British rapper Tinchy Stryder and indie tearaways Futureheads will also be making appearances on the Spillers stage on that day, alongside Frankie & The Heartstrings, Twenty Twenty, Natalie Findlay and Let’s Buy Happiness.

Post hardcore band Enter Shikari will head up Evolution’s Bank Holiday Monday line-up. Other acts confirmed to rock the Spillers Stage on Monday include The Horrors, De la Soul and BBC Sound of 2010 and Brits Critics’ Choice winner Ellie Goulding.

The Baltic Stage on Sunday features dance music from the likes of Fake Blood, Benga, Rusko and Scratch Perverts, while Monday sees indie dance crossover tunes from Delphic and Hadouken!. The new Ballast Hill stage will include more laid-back tunes from the likes of The Unthanks, King Creosote and Donovan over the two days.