Stockton Weekender organisers, Tees Music Alliance (TMA), have revealed the acts set to entertain crowds on the Friday 3 August, which will be free entry for the music loving masses. 

Teesside’s biggest outdoor festival, Stockton Weekender, returns for its sophomore year on Friday 3 August and runs until Sunday 5.  Friday’s entertainment will be free of charge and will provide festivalgoers with some of the best music from the last five decades. 

Covering the 60s and 70s is super tribute Beatlemania, who will be playing the Fab Fours biggest hits including She Loves You, I Want To Hold Your Hand, Help!, Paperback Writer, Sgt. Peppers, Let It Be, Hey Jude and many more. 

Kings of Lyon bring us into the Noughties, performing the Followill clans biggest hits from the last ten years. The band is the biggest Kings of Leon tribute in the UK and has played to sell out crowds across Europe. 

Their likeness for the American rockers is uncanny, in both sight and sound. Crowds can enjoy all the hits from Sex On Fire and Fans to Mollys Chambers and The Bucket. 

Rocking us back into the 70s and 80s is Thin Lizzy and Gary Moore tribute Lizzy Once Moore. The band recreate classic tracks such as The Boys Are Back In Town, Whiskey in the Jar and Jailbreak, as well as tracks from Gary Moores illustrious career with both Lizzy and Skid Row. 

Getting the whole night started, and giving us a taste of every era, is The Funk Collective. Bringing you classic funk, disco and soul hits this talented bunch also perform modern dancefloor fillers in their own inimitable, funky style. 

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 are The Pogues, James, We Are Scientists, Simon & Oscar of Ocean Colour Scene (Acoustic), The Go! Team, Willy Mason, Jake Bugg, Young Rebel Set, The Crookes, TOY, Cattle & Cane, Weird Shapes, Hyde & Beast, The Milk, The Chapman Family and many more. Both Saturday and Sunday are ticketed events. 

2012 will see over 50 acts perform over four stage, one being the Tees Active Cabaret Tent hosting a mixture of comedy and music. 

Ticket prices are £20 a day or £30 for the Weekend, but will be more on the day. As last year each adult ticket entitles the holder to 2 free Under 14s tickets. Tickets are available HERE or call 01642 606612.