TICKETS for a diverse programme at the North-East's new flagship music centre go on sale today - after free tickets for the opening weekend were snapped up in three days.

The Sage Gateshead is living up to its promise to deliver a broad range of music styles, from Nick Cave to Northern Sinfonia.

Treats for audiences over Christmas and the New Year include Folkworks' Frost and Fire, a programme of seasonal music and song from England's foremost traditional band Waterson:Carthy, Northern Sinfonia playing The Snowman to Raymond Briggs' animated film, and folk rock band Steeleye Span.

January sees Cuban roots with tastes of bebop, hip-hop and electronica from the Omar Sosa Quintet.

Other visitors to the venue will be saxophonist Denys Baptiste, legendary soul/funk vibes player Roy Ayres, and the St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra with Yuri Temirkanov.

Then in February comes the sole UK performance by Nick Cave.

Tickets, priced from £6, are available from the box office on 0870 703 4555. To join the mailing list, visit www.thesagegateshead.org or call the venue on 0870 703 4555.

Published: 01/10/2004