A stellar and diverse bill featured across the many stages as Hardwick Festival continued.

Perhaps the most welcome appearance on Saturday (Saturday, August 19) was not a musical act but rather the sunshine.

Thankfully, Mother Nature smiled upon Sedgefield, with the sun breaking through the cloud for most of the day.

Those in attendance early in the afternoon were treated to a whole raft of North-East based talent including soulful Hardwick regular Beth Macari, main stage openers The Redroom, hotly tipped performer Tom A Smith and indie rockers The Pale White.

Read more: A celebration of music as Craig Charles and Peter Hook star on day one of festival

Mid-afternoon newcomer Nieve Ella won over many new fans during her first appearance at Hardwick Festival.

The singer, songwriter and guitarist has graced the stages of some of the UK's most prestigious festivals this summer. Based upon this set, it was easy to understand why she has been in such high demand. Nieva Ella is certainly one to watch for the future.

Scouting For Girls drew a huge crowd on Saturday afternoon. The quartet's hit rich set included classics like Heartbeat, She's So Lovely and I Wish I Was James Bond.

The Northern Echo: The Kooks, Scouting For Girls and Mel C were among the acts to delight the crowds on day two of the

There was also room for covers of both Busted’s Year 3000 and Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling In Love. Scouting For Girls have a feel-good repertoire that makes you want to sing at the top of your voice. And the Hardwick crowd did just that.

Read more: Pictures from day one of Hardwick Festival 2023 - can you spot yourself?

Melanie C made a welcome return to County Durham for her first appearance at Hardwick Festival since 2018. Bedecked in blue leisure wear Sporty Spice's energetic set thoroughly entertained throughout.

The Spice Girl even took the opportunity to record a video message together with the Sedgefield audience wishing the Lionesses good luck ahead of Sunday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Final.

The Northern Echo: The Kooks, Scouting For Girls and Mel C were among the acts to delight the crowds on day two of the

Friday evening saw an appearance from New Order bass player Peter Hook. However, on Saturday afternoon, it was the turn of legendary bassist Bruce Foxton of The Jam to take to the stage. The mods in attendance flocked to the Treehouse Stage to witness the artist perform with his band From The Jam.

New Wave anthems such as David Watts and the unmistakable Town Called Malice enthralled the enormous Hardwick audience as the group transported the fans back to the glory days of The Jam.

Of course, From The Jam was always going to be a difficult act to follow. But if anyone was up for the task, it was Kevin and Perry. The pair made waves in 2021 when a video featuring lookalikes of the dynamic duo dancing at the festival went viral online.

The Northern Echo: The Kooks, Scouting For Girls and Mel C were among the acts to delight the crowds on day two of the

Speaking about the pair, actress Kathy Burke said: "If I wasn't so much older and wiser, I'd swear this was me!"

Since that point, Kevin and Perry have become part of the Hardwick Festival experience. Only this time, the lookalikes performed a DJ set packed full of dance anthems. Many showed up at the Treehouse Stage to witness the festival legends in person.

Saturday's finale came thanks to a ferocious apperance from The Vaccines and a headline set from The Kooks.

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By their admission, The Kooks lead singer Luke Pritchard expressed that the band have been around for a while, but the songs still feel fresh to them. And to the audience, they sounded just as fresh too. Luke even complimented the fans by saying they were a "very stylish crowd".

The Kooks set was a mixture of old and new tracks. Highlights included crowd-pleasing airings of Ooh La and She Moves in Her Own Way, to name but a few. The Kooks proved to be the perfect conclusion to the Saturday's proceedings.

Hardwick Festival will wrap up today (Sunday) with appearances from Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Johnny Marr, The Cribs and Megan McKenna.