Rocking Tynedale to its core

THREE of the best young bands in the North East will be hitting the stage at a gig in Hexham later this month.

Harlot from Prudhoe, Rightside from Allendale and Pacific from Haydon Bridge are all on the bill for Milefest at Hexham Auction Mart on Friday, August 14th.

The crowd will have the chance to win a Nintendo Wii and IPod music players, as well as seeing the bands perform.

The three acts all have growing fan bases in Tynedale and beyond, and all play regular gigs in the area and in Newcastle venues.

Milefest is expected to attract a capacity crowd, starting at 6pm on a Friday night in the middle of college and school holidays. The gig is aimed at the 13-18 age group.

The gig is being staged by social housing provider Milecastle Housing, working with young people in Tynedale to put on the kind of event they want to see.

Tickets are on sale from the band members themselves, at local high schools, from the four community partnerships in the Tynedale area, from Core Music on Gilesgate in Hexham, and from Milecastle directly at its offices in Hexham, Prudhoe and Haltwhistle.

John Temple, resident involvement officer at Milecastle Housing, said: "We are involved in all sorts of activities to support our residents, from playgrounds for young children, to large scale resident events for our adult tenants.
"Milefest is a great way of us doing something for young people and at the same time, providing a platform for up and coming young talent."

John has already said he and his colleagues are keen to support more events, if Milefest proves successful.

The gig is intended as an opportunity to have fun in a safe and relaxed environment.

Milefest will be fully staffed with volunteers from Milecastle staff, and from the Hexham Youth Initiative and the East Centre in Prudhoe.

The event is strictly alcohol free.

Sponsors include Egger and Northumbrian Water.

Tickets for Milefest cost just 50 pence and are selling fast.

The three bands are:

Harlot - a four piece band playing melodic metal. The band recently got to the North East and Scotland final of the 'Live and Unsigned' competition.

Rightside - another four piece, but a 'pop indie rock' band, currently recording their first EP.

Pacific - also a four piece who describe themselves as 'a group of four young ragamuffins who are up for a laugh' - playing 'modern, energetic indie/rock and a bit of alternative too.'

For more information and tickets, contact John Temple on 01434 611447 or at john.temple@milecastlehousing.co.uk