ROCK superstar Bruce Springsteen is to return to the North East as part of a summer tour next year.
The announcement yesterday that he will play at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light gives the city a hat-trick of major events, with Springsteen’s gig coming between fellow Americans Red Hot Chili Peppers and UK group Coldplay.
The show is one of only four headline performances in the UK along with Manchester’s Etihad Stadium, the Isle of Wight Festival and London’s Hyde Park.
Sunderland’s impressive line up for next year comes after a successful string of lucrative gigs held at the Stadium of Light in the last few years - including Take That, popular guitar band Kings of Leon and the singer Pink.
Sunderland Football Club’s chief executive Margaret Byrne said: “The announcement of the Springsteen concert is the icing on the cake of a fantastic summer of live shows at the Stadium of Light.
“We are going to be hugely proud to welcome one of the world’s biggest music acts.
“The shows bring huge benefits to both the football club and the city and wider region. The club enjoys international recognition from hosting such world-famous acts and the city and wider region benefit from a significant economic boost.
“As an example of this summers’ Take That and Kings of Leon shows brought an estimated £18m into our local economy, with bars, restaurants, hotels, taxi companies etc all benefiting from the massive influx of concert-goers.”
Springsteen is no stranger to wowing North East crowds.
At a concerts at St James’ Park, Newcastle, during his Born in the USA tour in 1985, over 20,000 fans packed the ground to hear his latest hits.
And in March 1996, he was back on Tyneside for an intimate acoustic set at Newcastle City Hall, his last appearance in the North East. Dave Smith, chief executive of Sunderland City Council, said: “We’re delighted that once again Sunderland will be playing host to a world class act.
“The event presents a great opportunity to raise our profile on a national basis at the same time as showcasing everything that Sunderland has to offer.
“Each concert is worth approximately £3.5m to Sunderland. The football club, city council and city businesses are working in partnership to provide visitors with an unforgettable experience.”
Coun John Kelly, head of culture at the council, added: “The concerts give our economy a boost, and also provide us with the opportunity to welcome thousands of people to Sunderland.”
Springsteen tickets for Sunderland can be purchased online at www.livenation.co.uk from December 3.
He will play with the E Street Band on June 21 to promote an as-yet unnamed new album due for release early next year.
Coldplay are playing at Sunderland on June 7 and the Red Hot Chili Peppers on June 24.
