Having just released the critically lauded album ‘Locked Down’ (produced by The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach) iconic musician and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dr John (Mac Rebennack) is set to headline this year’s SummerTyne Americana Festival at The Sage Gateshead. Tickets for Dr John go on sale 10am on Friday 6th April. Tickets are priced at £24.50 and available from thesagegateshead.org or Ticket Office 0191 443 4661                 

Auerbach, a long-time fan of the five-time Grammy winner dubbed “the Night Tripper”, visited Dr. John late in 2010 in his hometown of New Orleans, announcing his ambition to produce “the best record you’ve made in a long time.” Rebennack replied that he had done his research—his children had told him good things about The Black Keys. That conversation and subsequent collaboration at the 2011 Bonnaroo Festival, led to September recording sessions in Nashville where ‘Locked Down’ was mixed by Auerbach and completed in early 2012.

Dr John is universally celebrated as the living embodiment of the rich musical heritage exclusive to New Orleans. His very colourful musical career began in the 1950s when he wrote and played guitar on some of the greatest records to come out of the Crescent City.

Several of his many career highlights include 1973’s ‘In The Right Place’, which contained the chart hits “Right Place Wrong Time” and “Such A Night.” Dr. John garnered Grammy award wins in 1989, 1992, 1996 and 2000. He has also received six other nominations over the years. Most recently, he was nominated for a 2007 Grammy for “Sippiana Hericane,” his Hurricane Katrina benefit disc.

“A vivid reminder as to why his myth has endured so long. No one else comes close to sounding like this.” Q Magazine

‘...no one makes music like this: the Night Tripper rampages inimitably through swamp blues, voodoo funk and Afrobeat, with his trademark piano.  This is more than just a retro retool. It all powers along on tunes from his top drawer. Terrific stuff.’  Guardian 5/5

“Auerbach has brought out the best in a true American original.” The Times 4/5 

Back for its 7th year, SummerTyne Americana Festival is one of the most important annual Americana events in Europe, attracting visitors from across the world for a sizzling celebration of Americana music in and around the spectacular setting of The Sage Gateshead, on the south bank of the river Tyne.

The line-up for the SummerTyne Americana Festival is now as follows: -

JOHN HIATT & THE COMBO – WANDA JACKSON - DR JOHN - VINTAGE TROUBLE – NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS DUO – MICHAEL CHAPMAN & DARRELL SCOTT  -  PINE LEAF BOYS -  AMY SPEACE - LERA LYNN  - JEB LOY NICHOLS – SARAH SAVOY - JENNY O – KING JIM