Festival Highlights

James Morrison

Warwickshire-born James Morrison is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist who has enjoyed chart-topping success since his rise to fame in 2006.

The Brit award winner leaped into the charts with his debut single ‘You Give Me Something’, reaching number five in the UK singles chart. His debut album ‘Undiscovered’ was released soon after and quickly hit the top of the UK albums chart. Another successful album followed in 2008 - ‘Songs for You, Truths for Me’ hit the top spot again, making it a second number one album for the singer.

The acclaimed soloist has found worldwide chart success topping the charts in Europe, Australia and Japan; has collaborated with artists such as Nelly Furtado; and supported Take That on their 2009 UK tour.

Saturday evening concert – tickets are all sold out. Supported by Diane Birch.

Diane Birch (Support act for James Morrison – Saturday 10th July)

Soul singer and pianist Diane Birch will be supporting James Morrison at the Saturday evening concert of the Festival.

The American-born singer-songwriter has appeared on the David Letterman show in the States and has toured with Razorlight and Mika. Her debut album ‘Bible Belt’ peaked at number two on the itunes pop album chart, prompted by the success of the itunes single of the week ‘Rise Up’, that has sold over 500,000 copies.

Seth Lakeman

Mercury Prize nominee, and Radio 2 Folk Awards multi-prizewinner, Seth Lakeman makes a welcome return to North Tyneside to launch this year’s Mouth of the Tyne Festival.

His breakthrough album Freedom Fields took him from the folk club circuit to a whole new audience, and he has developed his sound since – firmly rooted in folk, but with a fuller, rockier sound.

Live, the raw energy comes to the fore in a blur of fiddle, acoustic guitar and foot-stomping rhythms, topped off by Seth’s emotive story-telling and distinctive vocals.

Tickets are £18 from 0844 277 2771 or through www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk.

Pageant

Starts at 11:15am on Sunday 11th July at Priory Primary School, Tynemouth

Inspired by India! This year's pageant will feature record numbers of local school children from North Tyneside - and Korbo Productions’ huge processional Indian elephant! All of the school groups working on music, dance and costume-making for the parade are taking the sights and sounds of the Indian sub-continent as their theme. So look out for tigers, cobras, bhangra grooves and Bollywood moves. Marden High School and all its feeder schools will also take part thanks to support from Find Your Talent.

Fête de Mariage (The Wedding Party): Korbo Productions and Nutkhut featuring the Dhol Foundation and Alchemy Fireworks

Gypsies Green to Harbour Drive, South Shields - 9:15pm.

A ground-breaking collaboration between leading French and British-Asian re-interpreters of Bollywood, Korbo Productions (Lyon) and Nutkhut (London). This Mouth of the Tyne Festival commission will take the form of a Saturday night procession and performance on the South Shields seafront involving dozens of performers and musicians along with processional images including a wonderful life-size elephant. The culmination of the performance will be spectacular fireworks visible from both sides of the river.

The Lightning Seeds (Headline act at the Priory – Sunday 11th July)

Led by Liverpool songwriter/producer Ian Broudie, The Lightning Seeds became one of the most prominent bands of the 1990s with a string of hits including England’s unofficial national anthem “Three Lions” (with lyrics by David Baddiel and Frank Skinner). The band reformed in 2006 and currently have a new album out. With Three Lions in Tynemouth Priory on World Cup Final Day, let’s hope we’re tempting fate!

For further information, please contact 0191 643 7409 or email events@northtyneside.gov.uk.