THE gleaming shell surrounding The Sage Gateshead reflects not only the music aspirations of the North-East, but acts as a symbol of a cultural resurgence in the region.

It embodies a confidence that cultural and creative industries will spur an economic regeneration in the region.

A staggering 15,000 visitors are expected through the doors this weekend.

They will have the first glimpses of the impressive building -Lord Norman Foster's first for the performing arts -and will get the chance to enjoy a diverse range of music.

Artists appearing in one of 11 performance slots throughout the weekend include the orchestra of The Sage Gateshead Northern Sinfonia, new wave rock band Maximo Park, Northumbrian pipes player Kathryn Tickell and jazz pianist Alex Wilson.

The £70m Gateshead Council project will provide an international home for all kinds of music.

It forms the centrepiece of the Gateshead Quays, overlooking the Tyne Bridge, the Stirling Prize award-winning Gateshead Millennium Bridge and Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.

Gateshead Council leader Mick Henry said: "The opening of this spectacular building is a major milestone in the area's regeneration.

"Over the past few years, Gateshead Council has secured over £140m to fund groundbreaking projects across the borough, including the Angel of the North, Baltic, Gateshead Millennium Bridge and now The Sage Gateshead.

"Together, such projects have levered the culture-led transformation of our borough, putting great emphasis on the value of culture in society, the role of local authorities in cultural development and the educational and employment opportunities that such transformation creates."

Sage Gateshead general director Anthony Sargent, said the opening today was only the beginning of the story. He said: "With today's opening of The Sage Gateshead, we complete one epic journey and start another.

"Already we have created a new international force for music performance and education, active across the whole of the North of England.

"Now, with the opening of our inspirational new home, a new journey begins; into a world offering all kinds of exciting musical discoveries for the people of Newcastle, Gateshead and beyond."

The Sage Gateshead was built by Laing O'Rourke, supported by Arts Council England, with funding from the National Lottery, development agency One NorthEast and European sources.

Three music halls, a music education centre, public concourse and entertainment rooms sit beneath an over-arching roof.

The main space in the building is the spectacular glazed concourse that wraps around the front and sides, with views of the River Tyne.

It links a cafe, a brasserie and a music information centre called ExploreMusic.

Above the concourse are the foyers and bars that serve the two formal performance spaces. Hall One is on three levels, with seating for 1,700 people. Hall Two, on three levels, has space for 400 seats.

The glass-fronted Northern Rock Foundation Hall makes it easy for the public to see rehearsals and performances inside. There is also an entertainment suite called The Barbour Room.

Beneath the concourse is a 25-room centre focusing on learning music, with spaces for teaching, practice, workshops and recording.

Acoustic excellence has been key to the building, with developers working with Arup Acoustics to achieve the best sound.

Techniques such as sound absorbing curtains and adjustable ceiling panels have been used to ensure ideal performance conditions for any event, from spoken word to a full orchestra and amplified music.

The Sage Gateshead is expected to have an annual turnover of £12m, employing 800 people and hosting about 420 performances each year.

Paul Collard, the creative director of Tyneside's culture10 programme, which aims to raise the cultural profile of the area, said: "The culture10 programme will build world-class events and festivals around spectacular cultural infrastructure such as The Sage Gateshead.

"Culture10 has already pledged its support to The Sage Gateshead's opening programme, which will form the centrepiece of a major festival of music in 2005."

Business leaders believe The Sage Gateshead will boost the economy as well as culture in the area. North-East Chamber of Commerce chief executive George Bowcher said: "The Sage Gateshead is one of the key jewels in the crown of turning NewcastleGateshead into a centre of cultural and creative industries in the UK.

"It gives a terrific boost for indigenous businesses in tourism, in service supplies and in transport and logistics."

Andrew Dixon, the executive director at the Arts Council England, said the opening was historic for the region.

He said: "The Sage Gateshead will deliver a sea-change in the opportunity for people to participate and experience music.

"This is a historic moment in the ongoing cultural renaissance of the North-East. Gateshead Council has delivered another world-class arts facility."