Gateshead Beer Fest 2014! Music Beer and more!

Gateshead Beer Festival 2014...get those tickets!

Happy new year folks, do you realise that it's 4 months to the day that the Gateshead Beer & Music Festival takes place... It's hard to image it's 8 months since the last one.

The team are currently in the latter of the planning stages however they are "still looking for Sponsors "..... If you are interested then please contact us at admin@gatesheadbeerfestival.co.uk

One thing we can report, is yet another exciting music line up for our fifth festival...

Each year Their music line-ups get bigger and better whilst still supporting the every growing local music scene...

Let's start by previewing the line up for Friday 2nd May 2014

Local boys Smoove & Turrell will be headlining on Friday 2nd May in which promises to be an amazing night. 

Smoove & Turrell have quickly become the nation’s favourite live funk & soul outfit & have gained popularity and recognition from some of the UK’s most esteemed music outputs.

John Turrell’s incredible blues laden soulful voice has been compared to the Rat Pack via Curtis Mayfield and Stevie Wonder and it’s this powerhouse that works perfectly with a band produced by long time funk and soul figurehead Smoove. ‘A world class producer who has finally found a world class singer and lyricist to work with.’

The Singles ‘I Can’t Give You Up’, ‘You Don’t Know’, and ‘Beggarman’ from their debut album Antique Soul gave them two BBC Radio 2 Record Of The Week listings, Playlisting’s on BBC 6 Music and rave revues across the board including Craig Charles on his prime time BBC 6 Music Funk and Soul Show. The lads come to Gateshead Beer Festival having headlined stages of 10,000 fans at Glastonbury Festival, playing at the Royal Albert Hall to John Turrell fronting the BB6 Fantasy Funk band at Hyde park last year.

Also on the same bill is the hugely talented Mike Memphis - Elvis Experience

2013 has been a fantastic year for “Mike Memphis and The Elvis Experience”. Regular bookings, referrals and re-bookings for 2014. Testament to the quality of the show is that Mike is now being offered work World wide, most recently Mike performed at the fabulous Atlantis Palm in Dubai- a venue most artists could only dream of performing at.

Mikes popularity continues to grow with his website reaching over 82,000 hits since it was set up in Jan 2010. He also has over 4,000 members of his Facebook fan club, made up of people young and old from all over the World.

Mike is a full recognised member of A.P.EP.T.A. (Association of Professional Elvis Presley Tribute Artists).  This is an Elvis show `In the style` of Elvis, giving a top class, professional show, where entertainment is the top priority. This show has already played at the Journal Tyne Theatre in Newcastle upon Tyne, to a full house.

Scenes will be joining Smoove & Turrell  & Mike Memphis, they are a 5 piece Indie / Electronic band hailing from Newcastle upon Tyne. With members originally in separate bands, Scenes came together to create a more powerfully driven sound creating the music they love. Abstract sounds, catchy guitar riffs and sing along lyrics, they're ready to hit the live scene around the north east and wherever possible.

The line up for Saturday 3rd May 2014

Big Red & the Grinners will be headlining on Saturday 3rd May in which promises to be an unforgettable set.

Big Red & the Grinners are a bunch of like-minded musicians who are willing to take a risk, be different and most of all- be unpredictable in the choice and style of songs. After putting together a band consisting of vocals, banjo, guitar, accordion, double bass and stand up snare & wah-wah washboard, a set was put together which featured influences ranging from Hayseed Dixie to serious American roots folk music.

One of the unique features of this band, is how they appear to move seamlessly from the likes of an absurd version of Technotronic’s ‘Pump Up the Jam’ to Tony Rice’s bluegrass classic ‘Freeborn Man’, or from Jay Z’s ’99 Problems’ to Kelly Joe Phelps’ masterpiece of folk ‘Window Grin’.

Glam Rock comes to Gateshead in the form of The Sleeze Sisters.

The Sleeze Sisters are the North Easts top Glam Rock Band, a five piece band consisting of Bass, Drums, Guitars, Sax and Front Man.

If you’re looking for a mad night out then lock up your grannies and throw on your heels as the Sisters are in town. A 70's glam rock band who are guaranteed to entertain. Performing numbesuch as Sweet, T-Rex, Mud, Alice Cooper, David Bowie....just to name a feWe count ourselves fortunate to have Antonio Lulic & John Parker making their Gateshead Beer Festival Debut.

Raised in the North East of England, son to a South American exile and a lass from the pit village of Trimdon, Antonio Lulic is a folk-rock singer-songwriter whose deep and gravelly vocal combines with a powerful yet intimate lyrical style to deliver passionate and uniquely soulful music.

It’s perhaps because of this humble beginning that Antonio is no stranger to hard work. Since the release of his debut EP, ‘Becomes Unstoppable‘, at the start of 2010, Antonio has toured relentlessly; performing for audiences all over London, up and down the UK, across Europe and all over the USA, building a loyal fanbase spread across the globe.

While on tour at the end of 2011 with international number one artist Ed Sheeran, Antonio released his acoustic EP ‘Rough‘. Then after spending November touring the UK and France with fellow London singer-songwriters Ryan Keen and Kal Lavelle, Antonio took off back to the USA in the spring of 2012, to perform on a showcase stage at the SXSW Music festival in Austin, Texas for the third year in a row; a performance that music blog Twangville called ‘Captivating’.

2013 was once again a busy year of touring for Antonio culmulating in supporting Ed Sheeran in New York in October.

John Parker who will be accompanying Antonia is one half of chart topping duo Nizlopi as well as a session musician for the likes of Newton Faulkner, Ryan Keen, Paper Aeroplanes & Ed Sheeran.

The Sour Mash trio are a Tyneside band will be bringing their own brand of Bluegrass with a ‘twangy’ rockabilly blues sound.

"I particularly enjoy the way they are able to capture music akin to the Sun Sound. Without it sounding contrived, but be as much part of them as lyrics they write. Of which ‘Someday I’m Gonna Leave This Town’ and ‘Drinkin’ And Carrying On’ suited both the venue and evening perfectly. Nice one, boys!" - Maurice Hope Jumpin Hot Club

 The line up for Sunday 4th May 2014

After a brilliant closing set last year Bessie & the zinc buckets will be back to headline on Sunday 4th May in which promises to be an unforgettable set.Hill-billy bluegrass, some rock and roll, and some classic rock sounds from Black Sabbath, or U2. Random versions of the music of Dark Side of The Moon with the lyrics of Dire Straits Money for Nothing, which last heard in the Maggie back in May 2010. How about the family favorite Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, or even the pop classic sounds of The Bay City Rollers.  Anything is possible as they don't actually plan a gig, they play requests, no matter what they will have a go at it.

 

Joining Bessie will be Charlotte Yanni, the French Singer Songwriter sensation is based in England but has toured her own eclectic mix of musical styles throughout Europe for several years. Charlotte and her brilliant band will be busy performing new songs and old favourites in pubs, clubs and festivals throughout the year.The debut album entitled "Accidentally on Purpose" is now out. You can Order Online or purchase at HMV in South Shields or Durham.Making his Gateshead Beer festival debut will be Peter Donegan, Peter son of Lonnie is a talented musician in his own right. He has joined force with the band that toured with the legend for the last 30 years. For those of you who saw Lonnie Donegan perform in more recent years, then you will instantly recognise them. Peter is not only a talented performer but also a talented songwriter. Having developed his own style, Peter accompanied by the Lonnie Donegan Band will perform some of Lonnie's classics such as "Putting On The Style", "Have a Drink On Me", "Rock Island Line", and "Pick a Bale of Cotton" to name just a few. But they also delve into some of Lonnie's lesser, known recordings. This combined with original numbers written by Peter adds up to a great night of Skiffle, Blues, Jazz and a lot of foot-stomping fun!

Northstar are a north-east based 6 piece with male and female lead vocalists covering a wide and eclectic range of pop, rock, and bluesy soul covers – from classic 60’s and 70’s hits to contemporary floor fillers (primal scream, thicke, stones, kings of leon, daft punk, beatles, t rex, cee lo green and many more). Wide range of events catered for – festivals, weddings, birthdays and of course pubs n clubs. The band can also offer a ‘liveoke’ option where audience members are invited to jump on stage backed by the band and belt out any of the existing repertoire (help supplied). Band = Paul Drums, Chris Guitar, Pete Bass, Emma Keys, Joe and Gail Vocals / Harp / Tambo / Patter..

Kicking the proceedings off within the festival bar are will be George Welch. George  is a North East institution and one of the finest entertainers to come out of Tyneside. As well as being a wonderful comedian he has a voice of astonishing richness... 'molasses for your ears'. As a guitarist he has long been sought after, both as a soloist and as an accompanist, sharing the stage with such luminaries as Sean MacGuire. As one half of the legendary Cheap Sunglasses Serenaders he conquered the national comedy circuit, and now as a soloist his shows are among the most popular in the North East, appreciated not just by lovers of folk music, but anyone looking for a fun and entertaining night out.

Don't miss George... You'll regret it... Wonderful singer, songwriter, musician and an all round funny guy.

There will be further announcements regarding one or two bands who we are yet to announce.

So where can you catch all of this? The festival takes place in the picturesque grounds of Gateshead Rugby Football club based in Lowfell in Gateshead. With the music taking place in a large heated marque, so come rain or shine you'll always be able to enjoy the music in comfort.

For further info regarding tickets etc go to our website at www.gatesheadbeerfestival.co.uk or check us out on Twittter or Facebook.