INTERVIEW
GIGS AT CENTRAL PARK CLAIRE DUPREE HAS A CHAT WITH PROMOTERS 456 LIVE ABOUT THEIR OUTDOOR SUMMER SHOWS
MUSIC
L-R, T-B: Circa Waves, Kawala, The Academic, The Mysterines
While the North East’s weather may not always be conducive to outdoor events, there’s no denying there’s something special about watching a band in the open air with your pals, bevvy of choice in hand. Pop-up venue Central Park has been providing exactly that, come rain or shine, over the last few weeks in Newcastle’s Times Square (outside Digital/Centre for Life), with a massive stage, street food vendors, a bar and quirky events galore. Getting in on the action in August are one of the region’s most experienced promoters, 456 Live, who will be filling the Central Park stage with a feast of musical delights. Caitlin Maddison from 456 Live sums up the vibe of the events nicely. “We want fans to be able to spend the summer enjoying and supporting the UK’s live music scene, as well as showcasing everything the North East has to offer. The venue captures the very essence of summer with beach areas and vibrant stacked container villages, and the outdoor element makes it the perfect space for live shows over the summer.” The promoters kick off the month of music with an all-dayer of epic proportions on Sunday 7th August, which is certain to please indie rock fans. Headliners Circa Waves will be joined by The Academic, Vistas, The Magic Gang, Kawala, The Mysterines, The Royston Club, The Clause and Lizzie Esau. On Wednesday 17th August rising indie pop mavericks Pale Waves will be supported by emerging folk punk band Bears In Trees and charismatic dream pop band Priestgate, while on Thursday 18th noughties pop legends Scouting For Girls will no doubt bring the house down. At a time when the skyrocketing cost of living may mean that gig tickets are a luxury, Caitlin is determined to continue to provide affordable and memorable events for audiences. “Our
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IT DOESN’T REALLY GET ANY BETTER THAN BEING AMONGST LIKE MINDED MUSIC LOVERS, ENJOYING SOME OF THE UK’S HOTTEST ARTISTS, IN A PERFECT OUTDOOR, SUMMER SETTING approach has always and will always be to work with authentic artists who we ultimately love – at the end of the day we are a small team of music fans who simply live for live music. Our team has a wide range of musical tastes which allows us to offer a diverse programme of events and it’s important to us to offer a platform for upcoming artists as well as nurturing local talent. There is nothing better than discovering a new artist and playing a part in the growth of their profile.” The summer shows at Central Park look certain to remind audiences of the power of live performance. “Although the past couple of years have been turbulent for all, it’s clear that everyone was chomping at the bit to get back to live gigs and there is a resurgence in people just wanting to have a good time with loved ones again. We’ve had a great response to our events since the pandemic and we look forward to welcoming the masses to Central Park, where hopefully they’ll be able to enjoy a summer of live music. It doesn’t really get any better than being amongst like minded music lovers, enjoying some of the UK’s hottest artists, in a perfect outdoor, summer setting.” www.centralparknewcastle.co.uk
