Sam Fender to play at free online Christmas concert to be filmed in Gateshead

Sam Fender is set to play a Christmas concert along with a host of other North East musicians.

Sage Gateshead Christmas Cracker will take place at the venue beside the River Tyne on Friday, December 18.

This event is being streamed free-of-charge as what the venue's management has described as a "Christmas gift for its community".

Mr Fender, who is from North Shields, will perform alongside orchestra perform with Royal Northern Sinfonia, orchestra of Sage Gateshead in a special collaboration.

Also set to perform are Newcastle-based alt-pop musician Martha Hill, in a new big band style collaboration with pianist Paul Edis; Teesside folk act The Young'uns; Voices of Virtue Gospel Choir, who performed for Prince William in 2019; and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia, featuring more than 50 amateur singers from all walks of life.

It will be presented saxophonist Jess Gillam and Ross Millard of Sunderland post-punk act The Futureheads.

Mr Fender said:

Abigail Pogson, managing director of Sage Gateshead said:

Sage Gateshead is a charity and

The charity’s crisis, recovery and renaissance campaign aims to raise £3m over three years and has set a target of reaching the first £1m by March next year. So far, £700,000 has been raised.

The event will premiere on YouTube at 7.30pm on Friday, December 18 and will be available until January 4.