Free day confirmed for Stockton Weekender 2012

Stockton Weekender organisers, Tees Music Alliance (TMA), have confirmed that Friday (3 August) of this years 3 day festival will be a free event, and will be headlined by one of the UK’s leading tribute acts – Beatlemania.

Teesside’s biggest outdoor festival, Stockton Weekender, returns for its sophomore year on Friday 3 August and runs until Sunday 5. 

Beatlemania are regarded as one of the most accurate tributes to the fab-four in the world and have played alongside acts such as The Merseybeats, The Searchers, The Hollies, The Bay City Rollers, Madness, Snow Patrol and Coldplay.

Crowds can expect all of the Beatles biggest hits from across their mighty career, as well as costume changes to fit, including She Loves You, I Want To Hold Your Hand, Help!, Paperback Writer, Sgt. Peppers, Let It Be, Hey Jude and many more.

More acts are still to be announced but it’s a guaranteed night of classic songs and sing-a-longs.

Festival organiser Paul Burns said “We’ve got some seriously big names appearing as part of this year’s Stockton Weekender – but we’ve also developed a reputation for offering a programme of more accessible, family based acts in recent years – so it’s nice to kick off the weekend with an evening of fun on the main stage this year.”

Confirmed to play the Saturday and Sunday so far are The Pogues, James, We Are Scientists, Simon & Oscar of Ocean Colour Scene (Acoustic), The Go! Team, Willy Mason and Hyde & Beast. Both Saturday and Sunday are ticketed events.

Ticket prices are currently at an Early Bird price of £15 a day, £25 for the weekend and £45 for camping. Ticket prices will increase in price from Tuesday 1 May onwards.

2012 will see the return of a Second Stage to the festival site, which will play host to a mixture of local talent and high profile acts, as well as the Tees Active Cabaret Tent hosting a mixture of comedy, music and family entertainment.  Both of these will run on the Saturday and Sunday of the Stockton Weekender. 

More line up announcements are still to come.

Like last year,  each adult ticket entitles the holder to 2 free Under 14s tickets.