SAM FENDER LEADS LINE-UP FOR SAGE GATESHEAD SPECIAL STREAMED CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Sage Gateshead announces a special streamed Christmas concert, Sage Gateshead Christmas Cracker, featuring some of the North East’s most illustrious musicians and rising stars including local hero Sam Fender.
The concert, which premieres on YouTube on Friday 18 December, promises to be a one-off Christmas spectacular featuring some of the North East’s favourite musicians performing original songs and festive favourites.
Sage Gateshead, which is looking forward to safely welcoming audiences back into the venue in 2021, is streaming the concert free of charge as a Christmas gift for its community. Audiences, donors and friends have rallied behind the organisation in recent months, sending in messages of support, tuning into live streams, taking part in online classes, and of course by making much-needed donations.
Sam Fender will perform with Royal Northern Sinfonia, orchestra of Sage Gateshead in a special collaboration. Joining them on the bill are Newcastle-based alt-pop musician Martha Hill, in a new big band style collaboration with “brilliant young jazz pianist” (The Guardian), Paul Edis; three-time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award-winning Teesside trio The Young’uns; Voices of Virtue Gospel Choir, who performed for Prince William in 2019; and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia with Chorus Director Timothy Burke, featuring more than 50 amateur singers from all walks of life.
Presented by award-winning saxophonist Jess Gillam and The Futureheads’ Ross Millard, Sage Gateshead Christmas Cracker, which will be filmed in the iconic building, promises plenty of festive fun and some magical Christmas collaborations.
Sam Fender said:
“So excited to play The Sage with Royal Northern Sinfonia! It’s one of my favourite venues, I can’t wait to hear and perform a couple of songs with a full orchestra! A free live stream for fans is going to be a nice way to end the year.”
Abigail Pogson, Managing Director of Sage Gateshead said:
Sage Gateshead Christmas Cracker is a celebration of music and musicians from the North. We want to showcase amazing musical talent and offer a fun-filled Christmas event to the North East – it’s a way for Sage Gateshead to say a special thank you to everyone who has supported us this year. We’re so grateful for the support we have had and want to say thank you with this magical online event.”
The charity’s Crisis, Recovery and Renaissance campaign aims to raise £3 million over three years to help meet the challenge the pandemic has created, and to serve communities and audiences in the North East and wider North for the long term. They are aiming to reach the first £1m by March 2021 – the first year of the campaign – and are delighted to announce that the public have already helped to raise £700,000.
Sage Gateshead Christmas Cracker premieres on Sage Gateshead’s YouTube channel at 7.30pm on Friday 18 December and will be available to watch free of charge throughout the festive season until 4 January 2021.
For more info visit sagegateshead.com
