The Mouth of the Tyne is a festival that takes place annually in North Tyneside, England. It is a multi-venue music festival that showcases up-and-coming bands and artists across various genres. Some quick answers to questions about the Mouth of the Tyne festival this year:
When is the Mouth of the Tyne festival happening in 2023?
The Mouth of the Tyne festival 2023 will take place from Friday July 7th to Sunday July 9th.
Where does the Mouth of the Tyne festival take place?
The festival takes place across various venues in North Tyneside along the mouth of the River Tyne, including Tynemouth Priory, Playhouse Whitley Bay, Spanish City Plaza, and North Shields Fish Quay.
Who are some of the artists playing Mouth of the Tyne 2023?
Some of the key artists announced so far for Mouth of the Tyne 2023 include Rag’n’Bone Man, Natalie Imbruglia, James, Ocean Colour Scene, The Futureheads, and KT Tunstall. The full line-up has not yet been revealed.
How can I get tickets to Mouth of the Tyne 2023?
Tickets for Mouth of the Tyne 2023 will go on sale in early 2023. The festival website and social media pages will have details on tickets once they are available. Typically weekend and day tickets are sold, with early bird discounts sometimes offered.
What are some of the highlights of the Mouth of the Tyne festival?
Some highlights of the Mouth of the Tyne festival include the beach stage at Tynemouth Longsands, late night comedy and silent disco at Playhouse Whitley Bay, family friendly activities, street food, pop up bars, and fireworks over the priory on the Saturday night.
Line-up Overview
While the full line-up for Mouth of the Tyne 2023 has not yet been announced, here is an overview of some of the key artists revealed so far:
Headliners:
– Rag’n’Bone Man: English singer-songwriter known for hits like “Human” and “Giant”. His 2017 debut album went to number 1 in the UK.
– Natalie Imbruglia: Australian singer-songwriter who rose to fame with her 1997 hit “Torn”. She has sold over 10 million records worldwide.
– James: English rock band who have had multiple hit singles including “Sit Down” and “She’s a Star”. They have over 25 million album sales and are acclaimed festival headliners.
Supporting Acts:
– Ocean Colour Scene: English rock band known for 90s hits like “The Day We Caught the Train” and “The Riverboat Song”.
– The Futureheads: Indie rock band from Sunderland who first emerged in the 2000s with songs like “Decent Days and Nights”.
– KT Tunstall: Scottish singer-songwriter with hits like “Suddenly I See” and “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree”. She has released seven studio albums.
– The Slow Readers Club: Indie rock band from Manchester who have gained critical acclaim with albums like ‘Build A Tower’ and ‘The Joy Of The Return’.
– Lisa Stansfield: English singer and actress known for soulful pop hits like “All Around the World” and “Change”. She has sold over 20 million records.
– The South: Indie band from London who were Mercury Prize nominees in 2008 for their album ‘Adventures in the Underground Journey to the Stars’.
– Martha Reeves & The Vandellas: Legendary Motown group known for 1960s hits like “Dancing in the Street” and “Nowhere to Run”. Martha Reeves has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Local Bands:
In addition to the national and international acts, Mouth of the Tyne will showcase local up-and-coming bands from the North East music scene. Previous line-ups have included local bands like Lanterns on the Lake, Smoove & Turrell, and Nev Clay. The full list of local bands playing Mouth of the Tyne 2023 is still to be announced.
Festival Details
Here are some more details on what to expect from Mouth of the Tyne 2023:
Venues:
As mentioned previously, Mouth of the Tyne utilizes various venues along the mouth of the River Tyne in North Tyneside. The main festival village and headline performances will take place at Tynemouth Priory and Spanish City Plaza. Other venues include:
– Playhouse Whitley Bay – Hosts comedy, cabaret and late night silent disco
– North Shields Fish Quay – A second live music stage with street food stalls
– Tynemouth Station & Metro – Live music across the transport network
Tickets:
– Weekend Tickets – Access to all festival performances from Fri-Sun. Price TBA.
– Day Tickets – Access for one day only, sold as Fri/Sat/Sun tickets. Price TBA.
– Metro Wristbands – Access to performances at Tynemouth Station and other metro stations. Price TBA.
– Early bird tickets often available with a discount of around 10-15% if purchased in advance.
Timings:
– Friday 7th – 4pm to 11pm
– Saturday 8th – Midday to 11pm
– Sunday 9th – Midday to 10pm
The festival will feature performances across three stages, so festival-goers can choose who to see and when. There will be some overlaps between stage times.
Other Activities:
Alongside the music stages, there will also be various other entertainment and activities across the festival including:
– Street Food Village – Local and international food stalls.
– Pop Up Bars – Outdoor bars, cocktails, craft beers and more.
– Fairground – dodgems, simulator rides and more.
– Free Participation Areas – Learn a skill like juggling.
– Literature Tent – Talks and book signings by authors.
– Outdoor Cinema – Movies on an outdoor screen in Priory Gardens.
– Harbour Activities – Kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and watersports tasters.
– Guided Park Runs – Organised 5km runs starting from the festvial village.
– Active Areas – Have a go at climbing, fencing and more fitness activities.
– Beach Stage – Live DJs and entertainment at Tynemouth Longsands.
There will be entertainment for all ages across the weekend. Under 12s can attend for free when accompanied by an adult ticket holder.
Travel and Parking
With venues across North Tyneside, there are various travel options to get to Mouth of the Tyne:
By Metro:
The nearest Metro stations are Tynemouth, North Shields and Whitley Bay – each only a short walk from festival venues. Extra metro services usually run during the festival. Buy a metro wristband for access to metro gigs.
Park & Ride:
Park at Newcastle City Centre metro stations or North Shields Fish Quay and use the metro to avoid parking charges.
By Bus:
Go North East offer direct buses to Tynemouth and Whitley Bay from all over the North East. There will be extra festival shuttle buses.
By Car:
Limited parking is available at Priory Gardens, Spanish City Plaza and Whitley Bay. Street parking restrictions apply. Book parking in advance once available.
Consider car sharing or public transport to reduce traffic congestion. Plan your journey in advance as roads get busy during the festival.
Where to Stay:
As well as hotels, there are holiday rentals and B&Bs along the coastal towns. Alternatively stay in Newcastle city centre and use the metro. Book accommodation early to avoid disappointment.
History of the Festival
Mouth of the Tyne has been running for over a decade, first starting in 2005. Here’s a quick look back at the history of the festival:
2005 – The first Mouth of the Tyne festival took place in Tynemouth. It was headlined by The Zutons and Maximo Park. Around 15,000 people attended over 2 days.
2007 – In 2007, the festival expanded to Whitley Bay and added an extra day. Headliners included Paul Weller and Happy Mondays.
2009 – By 2009, the festival attracted 50,000 visitors over 3 days. The Proclaimers and Calvin Harris were among the headliners this year.
2012 – Ocean Colour Scene and Cast headed up the festival in 2012 as attendance hit a peak of 60,000 over 3 days.
2016 – After a few years break, Mouth of the Tyne returned in 2016 downsized as a 1 day event with James headlining.
2019 – In 2019 the festival returned as a full 3 day event with 30,000 attendees. Lewis Capaldi was among the headliners.
2021 – The Streets and Embrace were due to headline in 2021 before the festival was cancelled due to the pandemic.
2023 – The festival celebrates its return post-covid with Rag’n’Bone Man, Natalie Imbruglia and James announced so far for 2023.
Over the years the festival has established itself as a highlight of the North East summer and an important platform for established bands, newly emerging artists and local talent.
Festival Reviews
Mouth of the Tyne has received positive reviews over the years. Here are some examples of festival reviews from previous years:
NME (2019)
“An intimate affair that draws big names to the underrated North East coastline, Mouth of the Tyne remains an essential weekend out.”
The Guardian (2012)
“The Mouth of the Tyne festival boasts an enviable lineup in a beautiful location. A delightfully chilled out affair with buckets of charm.”
BBC (2009)
“Mouth of the Tyne has grown from quirky little festival into a headline grabbing event with an excellent mix of music, comedy and culture.”
Chronicle Live (2007)
“An excellent family friendly festival that showcases the superb sights of Tynemouth and Whitley Bay as a backdrop.”
The reviews praise the scenic coastal location, chilled atmosphere and strong lineups that attract music fans from across the country. The festival is seen as a hidden gem of the summer festival calendar.
Set Times
The day-by-day set times for artists playing Mouth of the Tyne 2023 will be announced in June once the full line-up is revealed.
Provisional set times based on previous years:
Friday 7th July:
Main Stage:
– 4pm – Doors Open
– 5pm – Local Band 1
– 6pm – Local Band 2
– 7pm – Support Act 1
– 8pm – Headliner 1
Playhouse Stage:
– 10pm – Comedian 1
– 11pm – Comedian 2
– 12am – Silent Disco
Saturday 8th July:
Main Stage:
– Midday – Doors Open
– 1pm – Local Band 1
– 2pm – Local Band 2
– 4pm – Support Act 1
– 5:30pm – Support Act 2
– 7pm – Headliner 1
– 9pm – Headliner 2
Playhouse Stage:
– 10pm – Comedian 1
– 11pm – Comedian 2
– 12am – Silent Disco
Sunday 9th July:
Main Stage:
– Midday – Doors Open
– 1pm – Local Band 1
– 2pm – Local Band 2
– 4pm – Support Act 1
– 5:30pm – Support Act 2
– 7pm – Headliner 1
Fish Quay Stage:
– Midday – Local Band 1
– 1:30pm – Local Band 2
– 3pm – Support Act 1
– 4:30pm – Headliner
Conclusion
In summary, the Mouth of the Tyne festival 2023 promises to showcase another excellent line-up of musicians against the picturesque backdrop of Tynemouth and Whitley Bay. Rag’n’Bone Man, Natalie Imbruglia and James lead the bill so far.
While the full line-up is still to be revealed, attendees can expect big names alongside the best of new and local talent. There will also be plenty of comedy, entertainment and activities for all ages across the festival weekend.
Early bird tickets will go on sale later this year for what is becoming an unmissable date in the North East’s cultural calendar. For updates on Mouth of the Tyne 2023, visit the official website and social media pages.