Pixie Lott, Aston Merrygold, Heather Small and Atomic Kitten are the big names announced for a summer of free outdoor concerts in the region

POP princess Pixie Lott will lead a host of stars heading to the North East this summer as the South Tyneside Festival Sunday Concert series returns.

The All About Tonight singer will be joined by former JLS singer Aston Merrygold at Bents Park on Sunday, July 8, to launch the 2018 shows which will be held over four consecutive Sundays.

Heather Small and Atomic Kitten will be bringing down the curtain on the series of free concerts on July 29.

And with a host of big names still to be announced, music lovers across the region will be spoilt for choice this year.

Admission to all four concerts will remain free of charge, but fans can choose to upgrade to a Priority Plus ticket. Priced at £5 each, these will guarantee earlier access to the park to pick the best spot, along with access to a dedicated bar area and toilets. However, there will only be a limited number available, and they must be bought in advance.

Lott burst onto the scene in 2009 when, aged just 18, her debut single Mama Do went straight to number one in the UK singles chart. Her second single, Boys and Girls, was another chart-topper and her first album reached number six in the album chart that same year.

Her second album was released in 2011 with the single All About Tonight giving her a third number one hit. Since then she has also turned her hand to TV and acting, appearing in Inspector George Gently in 2013, and Strictly Come Dancing the following year.

Last autumn she released new material amid rumours a new album could be on its way, and the star will be performing some of her biggest hits when she heads to South Shields.

“I absolutely love performing at outdoor festival events like this and it’s great to be returning to the North East again,” she said. “The audiences here are always incredible, and I hope we can get everyone into the party spirit ahead of what will be a great summer of entertainment.”

Pixie will be joined at the opening concert by singer and dancer Aston Merrygold. One quarter of the successful British boyband JLS, he became famous for his trademark backflips in his TV appearances.

When the band split in 2013, he became a judge on UK talent show Got to Dance, before going on to star in last year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing, and has released a string of solo singles and EPs.

“I’m delighted to be part of the opening show at this year’s Sunday Concert series,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed performing for North East audiences as they’re always so amazing, and I can’t wait to head back there this summer.”

Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, is looking forward to another summer of music.

“The Sunday Concert series is one of the biggest events on our calendar and I’m delighted that we will be launching this year with two fantastic pop acts,” he said. “Both Pixie and Aston have a huge following, and we know that they are going to be very popular with fans and audiences of all ages.

Small, the former M People singer. and Atomic Kitten, one of Britain's top girl bands, are both returning to Bents Park to headline the closing night's show on Sunday, July 29.

Small hit the big time in the early 90s as the soulful voice of M People. The band’s first hit, Moving on Up, was an instant success and was quickly followed by One Night in Heaven, Don’t Look Any Further and Search for the Hero.

Widely regarded as one of the seminal voices from the 90s, Heather went on to have a successful solo career. Proud, the title track of her debut album, became the soundtrack to important events such as the handover of the Olympic Games from Beijing to London, the 60th anniversary of VE Day and the Tsunami Relief Concert in 2005. Since then, she has gone on to appear in numerous TV shows including Strictly Come Dancing, The Weakest Link and Who Wants to be a Millionaire, has toured the UK with Anastacia and Lulu and is a well-respected charity worker.

“It’s an honour to be part of the line up for the final show in this year’s Sunday concert series,” says Heather, who has appeared at the event previously in 2014. “I absolutely love touring the UK and playing to different audiences across the country, but visiting the North-East is always a great experience. I’m hoping we can have a fantastic party in the park to end this year’s series with a bang.”

Heather will be joined at the final gig of the year by girl band Atomic Kitten, who last appeared at Bents Park during the 2015 series.

Formed in Liverpool back in 1998, the band scored its first number one with Whole Again in 2001, which went on to become the 13th best-selling single of the 2000s. From there, their popularity soared and further hits followed, including Feels so Good, Ladies Night, The Tide is High and Eternal Flame, and the band enjoyed a resurgence of popularity after appearing in The Big Reunion in 2012.

“We’re really excited to be returning to South Shields and Bents Park as we’ve always had an amazing response from the North-East crowds,” says Liz McClarnon, while Natasha Hamilton adds: “We love this event, it’s such a good summer one – always a great crowd too.”The Sunday Concert series, supported by BBC Newcastle 95.4FM and sponsored by Port of Tyne and Colmans Seafood Temple, regularly attracts tens of thousands of visitors from across the region and further afield.

  • Priority Plus tickets are available strictly on a first come, first served basis, and under- fives will be admitted free with a ticket-holding adult. Visit Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/southtynesidefestivalor call: 0844 844 0444. They can also be purchased in person at Shop @ The Word in Market Place, South Shields. For more information and full listings visit: http://www.southtynesidefestival.co.ukor follow the social media accounts on Twitter @stynesideevents and Facebook /southtynesideevents