Hit The North Festival confirms new heavyweight acts and October date change
Festival organisers SSD Concerts have today confirmed that its flagship festival for emerging music, Hit the North, will take place this year on Saturday 23rd October.
In a determined bit to get the region's live musical calendar back on track in the wake of Covid-19, the festival, originally set for 4th April, will now also welcome some stellar acts to the bill including English alternative rock band, Sports Team, one of the new essential voices of pop Baby Queen and London's neo-soul, psychedelic R'n'B' sensation, Greentea Peng.
Joining the line-up is Newcastle's rising acoustic singer-songwriting star, Andrew Cushin, fresh from his Noel Gallagher collaboration on the epic indie anthem 'Where’s My Family Gone.' Hit the North 2021 will also see another homegrown star feature, Warner Brothers' super talented L Devine.
Speaking about today's announcement, SSD Concert's Steve Davis, said: “We are thrilled to bring Hit The North back after such a terrible year for the music industry. It’s amazing that we can end it on a high with one of the city's most loved events.
“We are delighted with the line-up, which is our strongest yet, and we look forward to seeing the city's beloved music venues full once again, after what has been a difficult time for our sector.”
The inner-city showcase, which sees established bands and rising stars perform in iconic venues throughout the city has worked hard to keep the majority of the line-up in place and is hopeful that the event will come back stronger in a few months from now.
As with previous instalments - which have played host to the likes of Metronomy, Jungle, Sam Fender, Shame, Peace, The Horrors, Jake Bugg, Ratboy and Circa Waves - this year’s Hit The North lineup is brimming with talent tipped for major success over the next twelve months and beyond.
Joining the cohort of indie heavyweights, will see The Blinders bring their riotous live show to the festival. Dubbed ‘Britain’s most switched on rock band’, The Blinders play visceral political punk rock that’s also gloriously anthemic.
Meanwhile, Belfast's Ryan McMullan is poised to showcase his incredible talent at Hit the North 2021. Ryan McMullan’s talent is a rare jewel in the crown of the current popular music scene. With a voice raw with storytelling and filled with rich and varied tones, Ryan’s youth clearly doesn't deter from his ability to communicate story and emotion.
Another notable act on the bill this year is Just Mustard. The Irish shoegazers are already loved by their heroes, The Cure, and are making global headlines thanks to their sweeping soundscapes, allowing a much-needed escape from a frenetic world.
Established in 2017, Hit The North is Newcastle’s first and largest inner-city music festival. The annual event sees hundreds of the best up and coming musical acts from across the globe descend upon over 10 well-known Newcastle venues for a unique day-long fest experience.
In previous years, iconic venues like O2 Academy, Riverside and Boiler Shop have played host to the likes of Slaves, Lethal Bizzle, DMA’s, The Hunna, Jake Bugg, Nothing But Thieves, The Horrors, Peace, Drenge, Pale Waves, Jungle, and local star L Divine.
With stage lineups, festival venues and more to be revealed in the coming months, Hit The North Festival is set for its most impressive and diverse event to date.
For more information about Hit the North Festival visit https://www.hitthenorthfestival.co.uk/