After-dinner events and music gigs have been the genetic make-up for Newcastle Legends for a number of years now and 2018 sees the company managing director, Steve Wraith, continue to set trends and bring a few firsts to the region.
Musically, with Big Country (October 13, support from The Good Souls) and From the Jam (November 17, support from The Wainstones) still to come later in the year, the early summer months of April through June, ahead of this summer’s FIFA World Cup, will see several outings from Wraith and his supporting cast.
It all began on St Georges Day at the 02 Academy as a pair of iconic tribute bands Badness (playing the best of Madness) and the all-girl Sex Pissed Dolls, a tribute to the Sex Pistols both appeared.
April 23, otherwise known as St. George’s Day, is a date on the calendar which Legends supremo, Steve Wraith, was looking to change, away from the muchhyped St. Patrick’s. The Irish day is seen as the more annual event of the two national holidays, with the March date hard celebrated across the United Kingdom, including here in the North East, with Emerald Green and plenty of Guinness-laden events being put on for punters’ pleasure.
Last month though, when St George’s Day came around, Steve broke with the norm and celebrated the feast of Saint George with a musical extravaganza at Newcastle’s O2 Academy.
“The St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are overshadowing that of St. George so I want to start championing events for out patron saint,” said Steve.
“It’s a national day that we should be proud of and not be chastised for any political overtures.”
In order to celebrate St. George’s this year Badness and the Sex Pissed Dolls were joined by a local upand-coming band, The Good Souls, the Dolls having a Geordie amidst their ranks, and The Good Souls, formed of South Tyneside steel.
With Badness bringing their unique tribute to those iconic rockers, Madness, to the table, the Dolls are their own brand of English sass, beginning as an allgirl tribute to the Sex Pistols. The Nancy Doll led five-piece have gone into their own brand and added their style to the mix.
Steve added of the musical talent on show: “We have three really great acts performing in Badness, the Dolls, and The Good Souls.
“The event as a whole brought forth some great, British music and we can now hopefully celebrate St. George’s Day as only we know how, having a good time with some good music.”
Then there’s the addition of something different to the Legend’s schedule (lets pray for some grand summer weather) as, on the May Bank Holiday weekend, the annual Dunston Festival will see the welcome addition of Love Dunston Live’ for the first time at the UTS Stadium.
A smaller version was trialled last summer and proved an instant success with the local council affording the go-ahead to run a larger version this time around so it’s all systems go for May 12.
A myriad of acts are set to perform and there’ll be a few surprises, and some local musicians so it’s a case of watch this space.
Headlined by the iconic duo of Bez and Rowetta of Happy Mondays fame, they’ll be joined by The Wainstones, Arya Sage, Molly Mackay, Chloe Chadwick & her band, and DJ Dean Walton.
It’ll then be back to the city centre’s O2 Academy in early June, immediately prior to the World Cup as we offer up an acoustic night with The Farm and special guests. Followed by, a week later, alongside Danny Mitchell, an evening with the legendary Toyah Wilcox, supported by the returning Stephanie Clift and Special Sorta Beat.
We hope you all enjoy a music-filled few months of summer lovin’!