Van Morrison, Joe McElderry and Jimmy Carr announced for socially-distanced Virgin Money Arena summer performances

Musical theatre fans are also in for a treat with the confirmation that Love at The Musicals – a celebration of some of the greatest musical theatre love songs of all time – featuring local boy Joe McElderry, Collabro (BGT Winners) and Sophie Evans (BBC Over The Rainbow Finalist), will perform in Newcastle on Sunday 23rd August. Having received global attention, the UK's first socially distanced live music arena has announced its second round of entertainment, with more acts to be added. Today's announcement also brings a further six acts to the August bill including the world-famous tribute band The Bootleg Beatles (16th August), comedian and author Adam Kay (16th August), Rumours of Fleetwood Mac (19th August), the “Elvis” fronted Nirvana tribute band Elvana (26th August), 'Klub Kids: Summer Mania' - (28th August). KLUB KIDS PRESENTS: SUMMER MANIA - (Featuring Trixie Matell, Baga Chipz, Atomic Kitten and many more), and Bongo's Bingo on 30th August (afternoon show). The announcement also follows the news that The Libertines have added an extra matinee show to their appearance date of Saturday 29th August. September will see musical theatre star and the internationally-acclaimed tenor Alfie Boe head to Tyneside (10th September), followed by Irish singer Ronan Keating (11th September), an instalment of the much-loved spectacle that is Bongo's Bingo (12th September), and singer-songwriter Becky Hill on 13th September. Van Morrison (OBE) will perform at Virgin Money Unity Arena on Thursday 3rd September. Meanwhile, Jimmy Carr is coming to Newcastle on Monday 31st August with his Terribly Funny tour. Virgin Money Unity Arena will officially launch at Newcastle Racecourse, Gosforth Park, on Saturday 15th August 2020 with Irish indie legends Two Door Cinema Club. Helen Page, Group Brand and Marketing Director at Virgin Money, said: “This innovative and completely unique outdoor programme aims to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for fans. We’re thrilled to announce more fantastic talent are joining the impressive line-up of both musicians and comedians, including one of the all-time greats Van Morrison, and are looking forward to getting the events under way next month.” Tickets Tickets for the newly confirmed events at Virgin Money Unity Arena will be on sale Wednesday 29th July at 10am. To buy tickets for all events visit: https://virginmoneyunityarena.ticketline.co.uk/virgin-money-unity-arena For more information about Virgin Money Unity Arena, to buy tickets and to learn more about how it all works, visit: http://virginmoneyunityarena.com The line-up ::Sat 15th August - Two Door Cinema Club ::Sunday 16th August – The Bootleg Beatles (afternoon show) ::Sunday 16th August – Adam Kay (evening show) ::Wednesday 19th August – Rumours of Fleetwood Mac ::Sat 22nd August - Supergrass ::Sunday 23rd August - Love at the Musicals feat. Collabro, Joe McElderry & Sophie Evans ::Wednesday 26th August – Elvana ::Thurs 27th August - Tom Grennan ::Friday 28th August - Klub Kids: Summer Mania ::Sat 29th August - The Libertines (afternoon and evening) ::Sun 30th August – Bongo's Bingo (afternoon show) ::Sun 30th August - Jason Manford ::Monday 31st August – Jimmy Carr ::Tues 1st & Weds 2nd September - Bill Bailey ::Thursday 3rd September – Van Morrison ::Sat 5th September - Maximo Park ::Wednesday 9th September – Craig Charles (*please note this date has changed from Friday 14th August) ::Thursday 10th September – Alfie Boe ::Friday 11th September – Ronan Keating ::Saturday 12th September – Bongo's Bingo ::Sunday 13th September – Becky Hill A message from the Editor: With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription. Subscribe to the Sunderland Echo website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here. Thank you.