The Lightning Seeds to perform as headliner to seafront show

Ian Broudie, of the Lightning Seeds, performing at Sunniside Live in Sunderland last year.

The band, fronted by Ian Broudie, will play Bents Park in South Shields on Sunday, July 21, with support fromThe Understudies, a local band who supporting Busted in 2017.

It will be a return visit for the group, which played the event in 2011 and follows on from their show at Sunderland's Sunniside Live last summer.

The group will join Marti Pellow, who will play on Sunday, July 14, Midge Ure and Nick Heyward on Sunday, July 28, and Gabrielle on Sunday, August 4, with additional acts to join the line ups.

Entry is free, but paid-for priority tickets can be bought for earlier access to the park, as well as a bar and toilet area.

The concerts are part of a three-month programme of events lined up for the season.

Initially formed as a solo project by lead singer, Ian Broudie, the Lightning Seeds expanded into a band after the success of the album Jollification and went on to produce a number of hit records including the platinum album, Dizzy Heights.

Ian Broudie is also well known for producing and performing the popular single Three Lions with David Baddiel and Frank Skinner, which was released to mark England hosting the 1996 European Championships and sold more than one million copies, hitting the number one spot three times.

“We had a great time when we last played at the festival and we’re really looking forward to heading back to South Shields in July,” said Ian, who is currently working on new music for the band.

“The North East crowds never disappoint and performing outdoors gives the show a brilliant atmosphere.”

Councillor Ken Stephenson, Mayor of South Tyneside is delighted the Lightning Seeds are returning to South Shields.

“The Lightning Seeds are incredible performers and I expect they will draw another big crowd when they perform at Bents Park,” said Councillor Stephenson.

“They are joining a fantastic line-up of acts over the course of the series and it is going to be a great summer in South Tyneside.”

Other events lined up for the festival include:

*Summer Parade on Saturday, July 6*Live Music at the Amphitheatre every Thursday and Saturday evening in June, except for Saturday, June 8*Weekly Brass Band performances every Sunday afternoon in June, July and August, except for July 7*Proms in the Park on Sunday July 7*Kids Fun Fest every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from August 1 to 22*Live Music in South Marine Park on Saturday afternoons from July 27 to September 7, except for August 24, run by the Friends of North and South Marine Parks.

For more information visit www.southtynesidefestival.co.uk.