Newcastle Pride, one of the largest free festivals of its kind in the country, returns with its longest ever programme of live entertainment for summer 2016.
Among the many highlights will be three days of live music at Newcastle Town Moor, starting Friday July 15, which will include a headline performance by singing superstar, Heather Small.
Heather, best known as front woman for 90s favourites M People, has enjoyed a string of hits, including Moving On Up, One Night In Heaven and Search For The Hero. Her signature solo tune, Proud, was used as the theme song for a host of key events, including London’s successful 2012 Olympic BID and is in-keeping with Newcastle Pride 2016’s theme, be yourself, change the world, #be proud.
Heather will be joined during the festival’s main music weekend by a host of top talent, including reality TV star Jake Quickenden and actress and singer Heather Peace.
Also scheduled to appear are 80s Icon Hazell Dean, former Brother Beyond star, Nathan Moore, boyband The Ambition and South Shields singing sensation, Cortney Dixon.
Mark Nichols, Chair of Northern Pride who organise the event, said: “The line-up for Newcastle Pride 2016 looks set to be one of our strongest ever and these are only half of the acts that are taking part.
“We’re absolutely thrilled that Heather has agreed to be one of our headliners, especially as her anthem Proud fits in so well with this year’s theme and we’re sure that people will be just as pleased with our second headliner, which we hope to announce in the next few weeks.”
Newcastle Pride, now in its 9th year, attracted 71,000 visitors to the city in 2015, with an additional 480,000 listening live around the world on Pride Radio.
This year, to cope with anticipated increased demand, Northern Pride are extending the festival to include more satellite events at venues around Newcastle.
The full schedule for these functions will be announced over the coming months, but they are expected to span from the start of June until the end of July.
“Newcastle Pride 2015 was more popular than anyone expected,” said Mark: “contributing more than £9m to the North East economy.
“This year we’re working hard to make it bigger and better than ever before and have extended our line up to cover two full months in an effort to give more visitors the chance to enjoy themselves and get involved.”
Newcastle Pride’s Main Stage weekend remains free to attend, however a number of Gold Circle and VIP tickets are available for those who want to guarantee prime viewing spots.
To purchase one of these tickets costing £12 per person online, click here:
Some of the satellite events will also need be charged for and those charges will be advertised where appropriate.
For more information about the event, including a full line up, click here:
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