Sting joins Kathryn Tickell for Sage birthday extravaganza

Jun 10 2009 by David Whetstone, The Journal

More than 2,000 performances have taken place at The Sage Gateshead since 2004. David Whetstone reports on some special ones to mark the landmark venue’s fifth birthday

STING and Kathryn Tickell will take the stage together in a suitably genre-blending celebration of The Sage Gateshead’s fifth birthday.

The North East-born musicians – the multi-million-selling rock artist and the Northumbrian piper and winner of the Queen’s Medal for Music – are among a host of performers who will gather over the weekend of December 18-20.

The weekend celebrations will also feature percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, indie rock band Spiritualized, jazz sax player Andy Sheppard, resident orchestra Northern Sinfonia and Sage youth choir Quay Voices.

The line-up reflects the all-inclusive approach to music that has earned many accolades for The Sage Gateshead since it opened on December 17, 2004.

Sting said: "I’m delighted that the region where I grew up is now home to such a successful and vibrant music centre.

"The wonderful surroundings of The Sage Gateshead provide an opportunity for musicians and music lovers alike to experience and participate in live music and music making."

He added that he looked forward to performing finally at the building later in the year.

In 2005 the former frontman of The Police was due to perform with the Northern Sinfonia in a grand opening of the landmark building as celebrated wire walker Philippe Petit crossed the Tyne on a wire suspended from the Newcastle river bank to the Sage roof.

The performance was eventually cancelled because of funding problems although the building was officially opened that year by the Queen.

No such problems are foreseen this time with Kathryn Tickell commenting: "I’m delighted to be able to celebrate the success of The Sage Gateshead’s first five years with a special birthday concert and can’t wait to welcome Sting onto the stage to perform at The Sage Gateshead for the first time."