DIEHARD Foo Fighters fans queued outside Sunderland’s Stadium of Light box office for up to 17 hours to be the first to get their hands on tickets to see the band.

About 70 fans waited through the night to make sure they were at the front of the queue when tickets went on sale at 10am this morning (Friday, November 21).

The club allowed fans inside the Strongbow North and East stands of the stadium so they could shelter from the elements, with stewards on duty with refreshment trolleys to ensure fans were kept warm and comfortable.

First in line were father and son Gary and Kieran Snaith, from Annfield Plain, near Stanley, who arrived at the stadium at 5pm when the doors opened and spent the night in sleeping bags.

Gary, a 47-year-old coach driver, said: “We’re both big fans of the Foo Fighters and we’ve been following them for years. I’ve been a fan of Dave Grohl since he was in Nirvana.

“I’ve never seen them before because I’ve always been working away when they’ve played round here, so that’s why we’re camping out this time – to make sure we get tickets”.

Kieran, 18, a motor vehicle student at North Durham Academy, added: “This is going to be my first-ever concert and I know it’ll be amazing”.

Self-proclaimed music geek Derek Gaffney, from Middlesbrough, was among the fans who purchased a ticket – which were priced at £55 to £67.50 each – on the opening day.

He said: “Queuing was very straight forward – though I did think tickets were on sale last week so I’ve been prepared. I’ve ticked one more thing off my bucket list.”

The rock band, headed by ex-Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, is set to perform at the stadium as a part of their European “Sonic Highways” tour on Monday, May 25 next year.

Stadium officials spoke of the “massive demand” for the tickets on their social media accounts.

A spokesman said: “Tickets are selling fast and we are advising fans to buy quickly if they want to go.”

Remaining tickets will be available online at www.gigsandtours.com, Tel. 0844 811 0051 or order online at www.ticketmaster.co.uk. Tickets for wheelchair and special needs patrons are available by telephone from See Tickets, Tel. 0871 230 3453.

*Olly Murs has announced a second date at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle as part of his tour next year. The singer will now perform an extra show at the venue on Sunday, April 19 and tickets, priced from £29.50 to £55, are on sale now from the box office.