Sage Gateshead’s 2014 SummerTyne Americana Festival is Here!

SummerTyne Americana Festival 2014 rolls into Gateshead Quays this weekend (18^th-20^th July), so get set for a bumper helping of sizzling Americana sounds with a side of feel good summer fun. With more than 40 acts on the bill, made up from a dizzying array of US and UK artists, even the most discerning soul, blues, folk, country and good old rock 'n' roll fans are sure to find something to love. This year, the celebrated festival on the banks of the Tyne promises to be all killer and no filler.  Its knockout line-up for Friday includes Hollywood action star, blues musician and singer-songwriter Steven Seagal backed by his Blues Band and Earl Thomas and The Royal Guard providing brilliant support. There is a UK exclusive performance with Chuck Prophet and the SummerTyne Strings performing material especially arranged for chamber orchestra, followed by a late show with Oklahoma’s own singer/songwriter John Fullbright. The eclectic programme on Saturday includes a folk/blues double bill with Smoke Fairies and Samantha Crain, rockabilly inspired rhythms from Gordie Mackeeman and His Rhythm Boys and a rock 'n' roll session with The Bluefields.  The Saturday night headliner sees ex-Black Crowes guitarist Marc Ford open for purveyors of country, roots-rock The Jayhawks. On Saturday afternoon, the free AMA-UK Showcase in association with the UK branch of the Americana Music Association AMA-UK presents an afternoon featuring four of the finest emerging artists; Gem Andrews, Tom Fletcher Trio, Gabriel Kelly and The Carrivick Sisters. Sunday's SummerTyne offering includes some sensational double bills including soul legends, Booker T Jones and Bettye Lavette, the critic’s favourite Cass McCombs and Ethan Johns, an incredible country-rock session with Eve Selis & Berkley Hart playing alongside Zervas & Pepper and two fast-rising singer-songwriters, Sarah Jarosz and Gabriel Kelley.  Of course SummerTyne would not be complete without our free outdoor concerts which deliver a scorcher of a line-up.  Friday’s Home Fries stage sees some of the region’s finest musicians kick off the Festival in style before turning into the Jumpin’ Hot Outdoor Stage for Saturday and Sunday, where MC Mr Drayton and DJ  Staggering Lee Fisher will presents some absolute crackers.  Acts appearing include Cajun queens The Magnolia Sisters, bluegrass Virginian quintet The Hot Seats, gravel-voiced Nashville singer Otis Gibbs, sassy piano-mama Davina & The Vagabonds, old time Irish/Appalachian band I Draw Slow, and soulful Americana from Danny and the Champions of the World.  There is also a full programme in the SummerTyne Lounge, pop up performances on the Concourse Stage, family activities outside and if you’re feeling peckish get a taste of America in the SummerTyne Street Kitchen. With so much to enjoy there’s a not-to-be-missed multi-buy offer on tickets when you book two or more concerts and festival goers can also be in with a chance to win a holiday for two to Las Vegas with the SummerTyne Raffle. For Tickets and further details of artists appearing go to: www.summertyne.com or contact Sage Gateshead Ticket Office on 0191 443 4661. See Y’all at SummerTyne! THE FULL LINE UP INCLUDES: The Jayhawks plus support Marc Ford Booker T. Jones and Bettye Lavette (double bill) Steven Seagal’s Blues Band plus support Earl Thomas and the Royal Guard Chuck Prophet & The SummerTyne Strings Sarah Jarosz and Gabriel Kelley John Fullbright Ethan Jones and Cass McCombs Samantha Crain & Smoke Fairies The Bluefields Eve Selis & Berkley Hart and Zevas & Pepper (double bill) Gordie Mackeeman & His Rhythm Boys plus support The Carrivick Sisters FREE OUTDOOR STAGE LINE UP: MC Mr Drayton DJ Staggering Lee Fisher Magnolia Sisters Otis Gibbs Davina & The Vagabonds I Draw Slow Danny & The Champions of The World Hot Seats Big Joe Louis and His Blues Kings The Snakes Lowri Evans Hannah Rickard & The Relatives The Buffalo Skinners Martin Stephenson & Jim Hornsby Dan Owen Fickle Lilly Archie Brown Quartet Kentucky Cow Tippers Lesley Roley Tony Bengtsson Band Shipcote & Friends Paul Handyside Rosie & The Hips AMA Showcase Gabriel Kelly Tom Fletcher Trio Gem Andrews The Carrivick Sisters Concourse Stage Fischer:Price SummerTyne Americana Festival Choir Monkey Junk Stan The Shires The Honey Bop Trio Film Programme Robert Altman’s Nashville Muscle Shoals Sage Gateshead is an international home for music and musical discovery located in the North East of England. Its local, national and international concert programme runs all year round and incorporates all kinds of music. It is home to Royal Northern Sinfonia, Orchestra of Sage Gateshead, and the Folkworks programme as well as providing a much broader performance programme. Sage Gateshead offers an extensive Join In and Make Music programme that enables everyone of every age or ability to become involved in music. In addition to the work in Sage Gateshead itself, 70% of the work of the programme takes place outside of the venue and in the communities.