Teesside’s biggest outdoor music festival Stockton Weekender has announced a string of hotly tipped artists who are set to play this years sonic extravaganza, Fri 3 to Sun 5 August. 

Man of the moment Jake Bugg will be bringing his summer soaked tunes to Stockton’s Riverside on Sunday 5 August, the perfect warm up for Simon & Oscar of Ocean Colour Scene and headliners James. 

18-year-old Jake is making serious waves in the music industry, receiving huge airplay from BBC 6Music and Radio 1 and 2. He recently featured on Later With Jools Holland, and his balmy summer tune Country Song was used on the Greene King IPA beer advert. 

Influenced by the likes of Oasis, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Donovan and Bob Dylan, last year he appeared at Glastonbury on the BBC Introducing stage and his star is set to continue to rise with current single Lightening Bolt destined to be a summer smash. 

The returning Second Stage, now named the Vela Stage, will play host to some exciting new acts including Sheffield foursome The Crookes on Saturday 4 August. The band has been compared to the likes of The Smiths and the Housemartins and were named BBC6 Music favourite new band in 2011. 

The highly regarded TOY will headline the stage on Sunday 5 August. In a short time the band have received critical acclaim from the music press and crowds alike, they supported The Horrors on their Autumn Tour last year and in January NME named them as one of their “100 New Bands You Have to Hear”. 

The local music scene will have a healthily representation by acts Young Rebel Set, The Chapman Family, Broken Broadcast and Palace on Saturday and on Sunday Cattle & Cane and Weird Shapes will fly the flag for Teesside, with plenty more local acts still to be announced. 

Festival organiser Paul Burns said “There’s a great mix of household names and up and coming acts in this years line up, which we’re really happy with. We’re delighted to have got Jake Bugg, as he’s causing a real buzz at the moment. Having such a strong local representation is really important and we couldn’t be prouder of the talent that will be on show over the weekend.’ 

These acts will play alongside The Pogues, James, We Are Scientists, The Go! Team, Simon & Oscar (Ocean Colour Scene Acoustic), Willy Mason, Hyde & Beast, Chased by Wolves, Alun Cochrane and The New Rope String Band. The full line up will be announced shortly. 

Early Bird prices have now come to an end. Ticket prices now stand at £20 a day, £30 for the weekend and £50 for camping. Ticket prices will increase further on the gate.

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

The Stockton Weekender is an independently produced festival, presented by Tees Music Alliance with support from Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Arts Council England.  The Stockton Weekender runs alongside SIRF – one of Europe’s finest festivals of street theatre.