1st Bernicia Festival Coming to South Shields on 4th August 2013

Jo ventured into South Tyneside today to find out about the new festival planned for South Shields.

"Bernicia" (the old name for our region from County Durham into Northumberland, in case you were wondering) is a first for South Shields. Showcasing new musical talent and bringing in successful artists with South Shields links to remind the young 'uns what can be achieved with hard work and the right career steps.

On what is the Customs House's 150th year the cultural venue has given its support to Kittle with the Bernicia project. The festival will bring young people into the venue and provide a platform for really new young bands who get to play a big stage to a large crowd, not only that but to share the stage with one of the Northeast's great musical successes The Little Comets. It doesn't seem so long ago to me that the Comets were playing the Bridge Hotel in Newcastle for a couple of quid. The lineup, on the poster below, is a representation of the talent that comes from the South Shields area and are a real credit to the region.

The festival is free. Tickets are available through the Bernicia Website but they are limited. They will be issued on a lottery basis. Any person can apply for up to 4 tickets and the lucky people will be drawn after June 30th. Best of luck! There will be an after party when the bands have finished their sets, so it's set to be a big day in South Shields.

Natasha Haws at the Festival Launch

Maps Are Fiction

In addition to this great list of bands and artists, Kittle have space for one more. Bernicia Rising is a chance for a young band between the ages of 15 and 19 to bag a slot not only on the Bernicia Rising event supporting Athletes in Paris at South Shields Ampitheatre, but a chance to play the main festival as well. The winner of the place will get 10 tickets for friends in addition. To get a chance to play these gigs, the bands need to submit music to the Bernicia Rising Soundcloud Group for judging. There are some guidelines:



  • 1 track uploaded per artist
  • Acts must be able to play Saturday June the 8th AND Sunday August 4th
  • No cover versions. All original music, at least 3 songs per artist (this I like, a lot).
  • Acts must be from South Shields area and between 15-19 years old.
  • Apply between May 1st and May 20th
  • Finalists notified by May 28th
  • Finalist each get 2 tickets to Bernicia Festival
  • Winning act gets 10 tickets for Bernicia Festival
Little Comets
Another great thing about this festival is it has a roof! No more will your festival experience depend on the unpredicatable English weather! Promising great music, great food, great drink and great times, Bernicia is bringing South Shields and its music into the consciousness of the people of the Northeast. Get registered for tickets and keep your diary free for Sunday 4th August. As the festival draws nearer, the Jowheretogo Show on NE1fm 102.5 will feature artists playing the festival, to give you a taste for the music.



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