Eight headline acts announce for UK's first socially distanced venue in the North East - this is how to get tickets

Organisers have announced nine live music and comedy shows ahead of the launch of the UK’s first socially distant live music arena at Newcastle Racecourse, Gosforth Park, next month.

It is hoped the the arena will breathe new life into entertainment industry, which has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, and organisers say more acts are still to be announced.

So what’s the line up?

Craig Charles – Friday, August 14

Two Door Cinema Club – Saturday, August 15

Supergrass – Saturday, August 22

Tom Grennan – Thursday, August 27

The Libertines – Saturday, August 29

Jason Manford – Sunday, August 30

Bill Bailey – Tuesday, September 1 and Wednesday, September 2

Maximo Park – Saturday, September 5

When will tickets go on sale and how many are available?

Tickets for all shows at Virgin Money Unity Arena are available here from 10am on Friday, July 10.

As the first socially distant arena, there will be 500 socially distant viewing platforms which can be shared by people from the same household.

Because of this, the arena can only host 2,500 people for each show.

Event bosses have also confirmed there will also be a limited number of free tickets for NHS workers for each performance.

What have festival organisers said?

Festival Organiser Steve Davis, of SSD Concerts, said: “We're excited to be working with artists who have the same desire to make something happen during difficult times for the industry and the general public.

“The rock 'n' roll can-do attitude of the artists performing and the team behind Virgin Money Unity Arena will make these shows ones to remember for the rest of our lives.

“We were determined to make this special and hopefully today's line-up is a strong statement of intent. We're not finished yet and we'll be announcing yet more acts soon.”

Helen Page, Group Brand and Marketing Director at Virgin Money, added: “We are excited to bring this innovative music event to the public for what we believe will be the best live experience this summer.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world.

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.