SOME of the country's hottest acts are to play at the North-East's biggest annual festival, it was announced yesterday.

The line-up for Orange Evolution includes Sunderland-band The Futureheads along with Hard-Fi, Graham Coxon and The Go! Team.

The urban festival will run from May 18 to 29, with 30 gigs at six venues across Tyneside.

It will end with a free outdoor event on the Bank Holiday Monday on Newcastle and Gateshead Quaysides.

Festival director Jim Mawdsley said: "As ever, audiences can expect something to suit all tastes at Orange Evolution, culminating in a huge free outdoor event on the NewcastleGateshead Quaysides.

"Music fans will be hard-pushed to find a free music festival anywhere in Europe to rival Orange Evolution this year.

"For 2006, we also have a more focused indoor programme bringing together all of NewcastleGateshead's major venues and promoters.

"On offer is everything from the very best in blues and roots right through to some of the world's leading DJs."

The fifth annual festival will include free seminars developed by music development agency Generator to support musicians and those working in all areas of the music industry.

The event will raise funds for the international charity WaterAid, which helps provide clean water and sanitation for some of the world's poorest people in Africa and Asia.