Evolution Festival is really starting to grow up

May 31 2010 by Ruth Lawson, The Journal

THE North East’s biggest music festival got off to a storming start yesterday.

Thousands of people flocked to Newcastle and Gateshead Quaysides to catch a glimpse of music maestros such as Paolo Nutini, Calvin Harris, Tinchy Stryder and home-grown talent The Futureheads.

The bank holiday festival, which is now in its fifth year, continues to gain in popularity and has secured bigger acts each year.

But local up-and-coming acts also get the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of massive audiences.

Gateshead-based Let’s Buy Happiness were one of the lucky bands which took to the Spillers Wharf stage on the Newcastle side yesterday.

Festival-goer Steve Rickelton, from Wallsend, North Tyneside, came out with his girlfriend to sample what Evolution had to offer.

The 19-year-old call centre worker said: “We made a New Year’s resolution that we would go to see more live music this and decided to come to Evolution.

“It would have been good if it was sunny, though.”

The festival is known to attract lots of teenagers from around the region and they were out in force enjoying the music.

Devan Jones, 16, and her friends had full weekend tickets – but they weren’t enjoying the rain.

The Walker Technology College student said: “It has been sunny every other year apart from this one. I think it will get better.”

Her school friend Amy Ellitson, also 16 and from Walker, Newcastle, said: “There is quite a good atmosphere.”

Kieran Ayre travelled across from Sunderland to catch some of his favourite acts like Paolo Nutini.

The 19-year-old, who is a student at Consett Community Sports College, County Durham, said: “It was mint. I came last year and it’s still really good with a good atmosphere.

“They need more festivals like this in the North East.”

The array of musical talent continues today on both sides of the river with local acts Polarsets and Retriever warming up the crowds.

Sting’s daughter Coco Sumner will make her North East debut alongside her band I Blame Coco before big hitters such as Ellie Goulding, Enter Shikari, Hadouken and Delphic close this year’s festival.