Newton Aycliffe will celebrate its 75th anniversary as a town this summer with a huge outdoor event featuring live music from Britpop heroes.

AycLive will take place on Saturday 29th July this year to celebrate Newton Aycliffe's 75th anniversary as a town, and will feature two headline acts: Dodgy and Cast.

Dodgy formed in Hounslow in 1990, and are probably most well-known for their 1996 hit single 'Good Enough' which helped their album 'Free Peace Sweet' go platinum in the UK, along with 1995 single 'Staying Out For The Summer'.

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Cast's debut album ‘All Change’ became the highest selling debut album for Polydor records when it was released in 1995. With seven top ten hits, they are best known for ‘Sandstorm’ and ‘Flying’.

Oasis megastar Noel Gallagher once once described watching Cast play live as “a religious experience.”

The headliners will be supported by six other live bands; ‘Another Crisis’ (Classic Pop), The Breakfast Club (1980s), Sleeze Sisters (1970s), Ska Boom (Ska), Northern Soul Elite (Northern Soul/Motown) and Sound Divide (Rock).

Nearly two years in the planning with Shildon Live organisers, Ayclive Events will bring a live music festival to the grounds of the OakLeaf Sports Complex, thanks to the assistance and support of Great Aycliffe Town Council, Gestamp, Kudos Commercial Finance and McDonalds (Newton Park). Thanks also to Northern Productions Ltd, the Aycliffe Radio team and Stuart McLean, the combined driving force behind the project.

The inaugural festival will take place on the Sports Field at the OakLeaf Sports Complex, School Aycliffe Lane on Saturday 29th July 2023 from midday to 11.00pm. The show field will also host well-stocked bars, refreshments, concession stands and fairground rides.

Early bird tickets are available until 28th February at £15 for adults and £8 for under 18s (age 14-17), which is just a fraction of the cost to see Cast playing at Newcastle's O2 City Hall in May.

Promoters Ayclive Events hope that with enough support for the inaugral festival it can become an annual event.

Talking to the Echo they said: "Ayclive Events are pleased to be able to bring a live music festival to Newton Aycliffe, especially as the town celebrates its 75th anniversary.

"Having secured a couple of incredible headline acts, we hope that this will become an annual event for local residents.”

Great Aycliffe Town Council said: "The Town Council is proud to be working with Ayclive Events and providing financial support to help the organisers bring a music festival to Newton Aycliffe for the first time.

The Northern Echo:

"This is an important year for Newton Aycliffe as it celebrates its 75th Anniversary and the Ayclive Music Festival will provide a great way for the community to come together and celebrate the occasion.

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"The Town Council is currently working on a number of further projects and initiatives to help celebrate and commemorate the Anniversary, including a community event and historical exhibition, and will be revealing more details later in the year”.