Rufus Wainwright has been added to the line-up for Mouth of the Tyne Festival, which takes place in Tynemouth and Whitley Bay on the North East Coast this July.

He plays the Playhouse Whitley Bay on July 8, the show will be the first on his UK tour. Tickets, priced at £29.50 and £35 go on sale on Friday (tomorrow), May 8 at 9am. 

Son of folk singers Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle and brother of singer-songwriter Martha Wainwright, Rufus has achieved his success by carving out his own singular sound in the worlds of rock, opera, theatre, dance, and film.

His concert, which begins five days of celebrations, features an impressive musical line up with Beautiful South founder Paul Heaton and long-time band singer Jacqui Abbott; British ska legends The Specials; Motown legends Martha Reeves & the Vandellas (all three headlining at Tynemouth Priory and Castle on July 10, 11 and 12 respectively) as well as local upcoming artists, Lisbon and singer/songwriter Jack Savoretti (both at The Playhouse on July 9 and 10).

Line up so far:

Rufus Wainwright, Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott, The Specials, Martha Reeves And & The Vandellas, I Am Kloot, Roots Manuva,The Christians, James Taylor Quartet, Jack Savoretti, Lisbon, Ben Ottewell, Kosoti, Olivia Devine.