Further information about the Sunday Concerts

Overview

The South Tyneside Festival concerts take place in Bents Park, which is located at the heart of South Shields Seafront opposite the award-winning Sandhaven Beach.

The 2025 line-up is:

Sunday 13 July 2025 (The NEXT! Big Thing): Sonny Tennet + Cortney Dixon + Patrick Gosling + Drum Young + more TBC
Sunday 20 July 2025 (Pride in South Tyneside, in conjunction with Out North East): Shayne Ward + The Future is Queer + Shelley Stevens + more TBC
Sunday 27 July 2025: Nik Kershaw + Katrina formerly of Katrina and The Waves + The Understudies + more TBC
Sunday 3 August 2025: Björn Again + Voices of Virtue Gospel Choir + more TBC

Admission to all four concerts remains free of charge to attend, but a limited number of Priority Plus tickets are available for £6 (under 5s free).

Are tickets for 2024 now on sale?

Tickets are now on sale from Ticketmaster

Please see more information below about the event and what a ticket entails.

Can I purchase tickets locally?

Yes. Tickets can be purchased at the Shop @The Word.

How do I purchase a disabled entry ticket?

Tickets are purchased at the Shop @ The Word.

Please note - a carer ticket is provided free of charge with each disabled ticket purchased.

General information

The concerts are free admission.
A limited number of Priority Plus tickets are also available for each concert, which can only be purchased in advance. Around 5,000 tickets are expected to be available per concert and have proved to be popular in the past.
A Priority Plus ticket allows earlier access into the event, along with access to dedicated bar serveries and toilets. If you would prefer to arrive later your ticket will still provide you with guaranteed access, however your viewing position may be more towards the rear of the crowd.
Priority Plus tickets are priced at £6.00 (under 5s free). Tickets are available until 7 days before the concert from Ticketmaster.
Please note a postage fee is payable for tickets purchased via Ticketmaster.
If you would like to purchase disabled tickets they will be available at the Shop @ The Word. A carer ticket is provided free of charge with each disabled ticket purchased. See the section below regarding visiting the event if you have a disability.
Tickets purchased for last year's Jason Donovan concert remain valid for this year's rescheduled concert.

Venue information

Concerts take place in Bents Park, which is located at the heart of South Shields Seafront opposite the award-winning Sandhaven Beach.

Bents Park,
Sea Road,
South Shields,
NE33 2LD.

View a Bents Park location map

Timings

Gates open approx. 12noon for Priority Plus ticket holders and approx. 12.45pm for free entry for which no tickets are required.
Priority Plus ticket holders are allowed access to a ticket processing/bag search area from 11am. Tickets purchased from Ticketmaster access at Gate 6 (Bents Park Road). Tickets purchased from The Shop @The Word access via Gate 1 (Sea Road, opposite the Sundial Pub). Both of these ticket access gates are distinguished with a yellow flag.
Access to the main park for ticket holders will be approx. 12noon.
Ticket holders can access the park from any gate after 12.45pm.
Disabled spectators who have not purchased tickets should queue at Gate 1 (distinguished with a blue flag). Access will be immediately after Priority Plus ticket holders at approximately 12.30pm.
Those entering the park for general free entry should line up at Gate 1 (queuing south; distinguished with a green flag) and Gate 6 (also distinguished with a green flag, queueing south towards the New Crown pub). Free entry access is from approximately 12.45pm.
Music starts approximately 1.30 - 1.45pm, with short change overs in between acts, before finishing at approximately 4.30pm.
After the show has finished the park will close to the public at approximately 5pm. It would be greatly appreciated if you could leave the park by this time as it is not possible to dismantle equipment safely until the park has closed.
Although very rare please bear in mind that sometimes changes have to be made to the concert's planned schedule, which are out of our control.
Please be patient if the gates open slightly later than advertised. There will be a genuine reason for this, either a sound check has overrun or there are health and safety considerations. Priority Plus ticket holder access may also be earlier than advertised should this be deemed in the best interests of managing crowd safety - this will be at the discretion of the Senior Event Manager on the day.

Disabled provision

Disabled customers who wish to purchase a Priority Plus ticket will be able to do so at the Shop @ The Word.
Those purchasing a ticket will be allocated an additional free Priority Plus ticket, if required, for a carer.
Disabled Priority Plus ticket holders arriving to gain access at 12noon should go to Gate 1 which is located on Sea Road. This gate will be distinguished with a yellow flag.Stewards will be on duty and will be able to direct you to this gate if you are uncertain. If you intend to arrive after 12.45pm you can gain access to Bents Park through any gate. Please note a limit of one carer per disabled spectator will be applied in the ticket processing area.
Disabled spectators who have not purchased tickets wishing to queue for free access in advance of gates opening should do so at Gate 1 queuing south, parallel with standard non-ticket queue. This queue will be distinguished with a blue flag. Disabled spectators will be allowed access to the park after Priority Plus ticket holders have gained access. Please note a limit of one carer per disabled spectator will be applied. In order for this facility not to be abused suitable proof of disability may be requested, e.g. medical professional letter, DLA or PIP letter etc.
Bents Park is a large open area which provides good views of the stage for those in wheelchairs from most areas. In addition, there is a large video screen adjacent to the stage which will show live footage of the concert. There are two designated uncovered / unraised disabled viewing areas within Bents Park. One is adjacent to the mixing desk in the middle of the field however access to this is over grass. It should also be noted that in the event of large crowds access to and from this area during performances can take time. The second area is off the main path adjacent to the Information Unit and access to and from this area is considerably easier even during performances. Please note space in both areas is limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
There is no disabled parking provision within Bents Park, however there are a number of car parks in close proximity. Find out more: www.southtyneside.gov.uk/parking
Those wishing to discuss disabled access arrangements further should contact the Events Team by emailing events@southtyneside.gov.uk or call 0191 455 4031.

Safety and security

Please be aware of security measures that are in place to give extra reassurance and help visitors feel safe. This will include random bag searches, which will be carried out as you enter the park.
Delays may occur in the bag search areas. To help speed up the process, please try and limit the number of bags you bring, and leave any sharp instruments at home. We suggest one small bag per person.
It's really important to know how to stay safe and what to do in the rare case of an emergency. To read Counter Terrorism Policing's safety advice for staying safe at gigs and festivals visit their website

Emergency situations

In the event of an emergency situation arising please listen carefully to announcements made by the event compere and follow the instructions of stewards. Please remain calm. You will either be moved to a safe area within the park away from the hazard or be directed to specific exit points in the event that the park requires evacuating.

Take extra care with personal belongings

Please take care of personal belongings, particularly mobile phones, keys and other items of value. It is easy to drop personal items of this type in large crowds so make sure they are stored securely in bags or pockets.

Transport information

Where possible, we'd encourage you to walk, cycle and use public transport.
Click here for help planning your journey using public transport: Nexus
If you do need to drive, consider car sharing to save on petrol, and help reduce air pollution.
There are numerous car parks located adjacent to Bents Park on South Shields Seafront. For more information on our seafront car parking see South Shields seafront car parks
We recommend you park in South Shields Town Centre, which has a number of car parks and is only about a ten-minute walk away from Bents Park. There are several free parking sites in the Town Centre. See South Shields town centre car parks
Please be considerate to our neighbours and use designated car parks.
Remember concerts at Bents Park are popular so please plan your journey carefully and allow plenty of time.
If your vehicle requires a charging point, information can be found at Map of electric charging points for electric cars UK: Zapmap

Weather conditions

Concerts take place during the British summer so please be prepared for all eventualities. Make sure you bring water and sun cream in case it is hot. Also be prepared for wet weather and bring waterproof clothing as Bents Park is an open air venue with no shelter.
In the event of heavy rain or strong winds it may be necessary to cancel the concert for safety reasons. If you are worried the concert might not take place please check South Tyneside Events Facebook and this website, or tune into Hits Radio NE who are the Festival broadcast partner.
If you have purchased a Priority Plus ticket and the concert is cancelled due to inclement weather a full refund will be offered. Those requesting a refund will need to contact the outlet where the ticket was purchased from i.e. either Ticketmaster or the Shop @ The Word. Please note refunds will not be offered in any other circumstances other than cancellation of the full event for whatever reason.

Dogs

Concerts are not an ideal environment for dogs due to the noise, lack of shade and large crowds, so we strongly suggest you do not bring them to the shows. If you do, please keep them on leads and remain on the outskirts of the main crowd so as not to cause a hazard to other concert goers.

Alcohol and drink

Drinking water taps are available at the side of the main portacabin. Please bring your own reusable container as receptacles are not provided.
There are licensed bars within the park selling a range of drinks at competitive prices. We encourage attendees to support the festival and suppliers by purchasing drinks from the bars on site.
Please drink responsibly and respect your fellow concert goers. If you are suspected of being drunk or over boisterous you WILL be asked to leave by stewards.
If you intend to bring your own alcohol to the event please do so in moderation and remember to place empties in the recycling bins provided. We are working to reduce the amount of waste and ask that you use the facilities on site.
Anyone who appears to be under 18 years of age, without photographic I.D confirming their date of birth, will have alcohol they are carrying confiscated.

Food and barbeques

We encourage attendees to support the festival and suppliers by purchasing food from the serveries on site.
If you intend to bring your own food to the event, please be aware that barbecues and portable stoves are not permitted. In addition, sharp cutlery/knives/corkscrews etc are not permitted.

Seating

You are allowed to bring your own deck chairs into the park.
Please be aware that people often stand immediately in the front of the stage and this is often encouraged by the artistes who are performing. If you want to enjoy the concert from the comfort of a deck chair you are recommended to set up some way back from the stage.
A limited number of Deckchairs are available to hire on a 'first come-first served' basis from the left-hand side of the stage. The deckchairs cost £4 each which must be paid with cash, and returned to the hire point after the concert.

Concert sound quality

The Council and its contractors strive to make year on year improvements to concert sound quality at Bents Park. It is important to note however that a number of factors impact upon sound clarity and coverage at outdoor concerts, especially in a residential area such as this, these include wind strength and direction.

Pop up tents

Gazebos and larger tents are not permitted. Small children's sun shade type canopies are allowed towards the rear of the park.
Please note that in the event of large crowds it may be necessary to refuse permission for tents to be erected even behind the mixing desk platform and spectators will be made aware of this via stewards and announcements by the compere.

Litter and recycling

Please help us to keep the park tidy and place and litter in the bins provided. Waste bags can be obtained for free from the information unit within the park. Help us to reduce the amount of waste.
We are striving to increase the amount of recycling at these events. Please recycle any cans, bottles and cardboard at the recycling points. Please do not put any contaminated items in the recycling bins- eg food waste. In addition, please do not put plastic bags in the recycle bins. Any cans or bottles must be placed in individually.

Getting separated from friends and family

We suggest you make arrangements with your party when you arrive in the park to meet up at a certain recognised point if you get separated. This could be next to a tree, food trailer or one of the entry gates.
If you are attending with small children please remember to be vigilant and not allow them to stray. We strongly recommend that you visit the Lost Children Post when you arrive in the park and get a free wrist band for your child which you can write a contact mobile telephone number on. This will help stewards to reunite the child with you in the event you become separated.

Cancellation policy

In the unlikely event that the concert is cancelled, a full refund will be offered to those that have purchased tickets.
Those requesting a refund will need to contact the outlet where they purchased their ticket.
Please note refunds will not be offered in any other circumstances other than cancellation of the full event. South Tyneside Council reserve the right to change the programme if required.

Filming and photography

Recreational photography and filming of family and friends to capture the atmosphere of the concert is permitted, other than where other persons attending can be clearly identified as the main focus. Please therefore be respectful to other people's privacy at all times, or you may be challenged and asked to stop and / or leave.
Photography / filming / recording for professional / commercial use is not permitted without prior written authorisation or media event accreditation from South Tyneside Council.
All persons entering the venue consent to any photography / filming / recording as arranged by South Tyneside Council for possible future transmission / publication or promotional purposes. If you have any concerns regarding this please contact dataprotection@southtyneside.gov.uk

More information

Visiting South Tyneside

The concerts take place at the heart of South Shields Seafront, alongside beautiful sandy beaches, gorgeous parks and great attractions. There's a wide range of places to eat and drink, along with a number of places to stay nearby. The area's also well known for its excellent event programme, with lots of great events to enjoy all year round. Find out more at www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk.

Contact us

For any further queries about the concerts, please contact the South Tyneside Visitor Information Centre at The Word on 0191 424 7788 or contact us via Facebook (SouthTynesideEvents) or Twitter (@stynesideevents).