Bents Park hosted the first major live music event of this year’s on Sunday 13 July, with the NEXT! Big Thing Showcase as part of This is South Tyneside Festival 2025— a key moment in the borough’s summer calendar that puts the spotlight on emerging artists from the region.
The showcase followed a series of open-air auditions held at Sandhaven Amphitheatre in June, where musicians of all styles and ages applied to perform as part of the council’s development programme. From over 100 entries, two standout acts — Leazes and Ten Eighty Trees — were chosen to progress to the main Sunday Concert stage at Bents Park.
On the day, the running order brought together a diverse mix of talent, beginning with Drum Young, followed by Leazes, Ten Eighty Trees, Patrick Gosling, Cortney Dixon, and closing with headliner Sonny Tennet. It made for a well-paced afternoon of live music that blended new names with familiar favourites, all against the backdrop of the South Shields coastline.
Each act brought something different to the stage, reflecting the variety of voices coming through the North East music scene. The inclusion of Leazes and Ten Eighty Trees — selected through the NEXT! Big Thing process — gave emerging local artists the chance to perform to a large, mixed audience with full festival production behind them.
At InNewcastle, we’ve been following Leazes for a while now, so it was brilliant to see them get their moment on a stage of this scale. We caught up with them backstage before their set — they were exactly what you hope a rising band would be: down to earth, buzzing with nerves and excitement, and genuinely grateful for the opportunity. When they stepped out in front of the crowd, they didn’t just tick a box — they shone. Confident without being cocky, melodic but punchy, and full of that raw spark that only really comes across live. A massive step forward for them — and well deserved.
‘When we asked about the process of the Next Big Thing! Lead Singer Joe said;
I mean for me it’s been absolutely great, I think like playing the Amphitheatre itself, that was our first proper experience of outdoor playing anyway. So it’s taught us a lot of lessons . I can’t honestly commend the people that have organised that enough. They’ve been so sweet with work, made sure they were well looked after. The sound’s been perfect every time so it’s been a pleasure to be involved.’
Drum Young had opened the show earlier in the day, getting the early crowd warmed up with gritty energy. Ten Eighty Trees followed Leazes and kept the pace high with their riff-heavy alt-rock, before handing over to Patrick Gosling, who offered a quieter, acoustic change of tone. Cortney Dixon lifted things back up with her stylised, soulful set, before Sonny Tennet closed the day with a powerful, polished performance that reminded everyone just how far the local lad has come.
The atmosphere throughout the day was relaxed and welcoming. Families gathered on picnic blankets, beachgoers drifted in from the seafront, and the audience built steadily across the afternoon. Children danced down at the front, dogs padded between groups, and queues for food and drinks kept moving — the kind of easy-going festival energy the South Tyneside Sundays are known for.
Launching the series with NEXT! Big Thing artists gave the event a strong, community-rooted start. With big-name headliners like Shane Ward, Liberty X, Nick Kershaw, Nadine, and Björn Again still to come, it was refreshing to see the opening spotlight on those coming up rather than already established.
For Leazes and Ten Eighty Trees, the showcase offered a platform that’s rare in regional live music — a professionally run, high-profile stage with thousands in attendance. And by placing them alongside names like Sonny Tennet, Cortney Dixon and Patrick Gosling, the festival made clear that the North East isn’t just proud of its musical past — it’s excited about its future too.
The NEXT! Big Thing doesn’t end with Leazes and Ten Eighty Trees. The showcase continues across the festival, with three more winning acts each taking to the Bents Park stage over the coming Sundays. Penny Simpson (20 July) brings soulful vocals and heartfelt songwriting that’s already making waves beyond her hometown. On 27 July, The Lovemakers promise to lift the tempo with their infectious, feel-good grooves — expect dancing. And closing the series on 3 August is Hels Pattison, whose genre-blending style and captivating voice are set to make a lasting impression. It’s a diverse and exciting line-up, proving that the talent coming through the North East right now is as strong as it is varied.
Upcoming Events at This Is South Tyneside Festival
- Sunday 20 July – Pride in South Tyneside
Featuring Shayne Ward, Liberty X, Scooch, The Future Is Queer, Shelley Stevens, Penny Simpson, and more. - Sunday 27 July – Nik Kershaw + Katrina
Supported by The Understudies and additional acts - Sunday 3 August – Björn Again + Nadine
With performances from Voices of Virtue Gospel Ch
For more info: https://www.southtynesidefestival.co.uk