This weekend sees two top music festivals coming to the region

STOCKTON Weekender, returns for its fourth year on Saturday 26 and Sunday, July 27.

The event organisers Tees Music Alliance (TMA) are delighted to reveal the event’s headline acts as ‘Madchester’ legends Happy Mondays and American hip-hop champions Public Enemy, their only North-East dates this summer.

50 plus acts are set to play across four stages, and major acts such as Shed Seven, Reverend & The Makers, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas and Peter Hook & The Light. On Sunday, July 27, the Main Stage welcomes more illustrious artists to entertain the masses. The multi-platinum selling Public Enemy head to the Riverside with one of the most impressive back catalogues in rap music.

As well as music and comedy, Stockton Weekender also offers a shopping village, stocked with festival goodies, vintage clothing, jewellery and a music stall ran by Sound It Out Records, plus a free festival photo booth – this year in the shape of a VW Camper Van.

Tickets are priced £35 a day, £55 weekend, £85 for weekend and camping and £120 for VIP, prices rise on the gate to £40 (day) and £60 (weekend).

The family friendly event, which offers a children’s activity tent and is renowned for its relaxed atmosphere, will once more offer two free under 14 tickets for every adult ticket purchased.

Camping is also available, located close by to the scenic surroundings of the Tees Barrage, at an additional cost of £30 on top of a weekend ticket price.

  • Tickets are available online from www.stocktonweekender.co.uk or call 01642-606525.

NOW in its fifth year Deer Shed Festival offers three days of contemporary music and art takes place at a 90 acre site at Baldersby Park near Topcliffe, in North Yorkshire, from Friday 25 to Sunday, July 27.

Held each July, this highlypopular, family-friendly live music event sounds like it’s going to be the best to date with a terrific line-up of luminaries from the indie, acoustic and dance worlds.

Big names include Johnny Marr, British Sea Power, Stornoway and Steve Mason. There will be a full programme of workshops and children’s activities centred on the theme of time travel.

  • For tickets and for more information please go to deershedfestival.com