Stockton Weekender, returns for its third year on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th July with todays announcement that Primal Scream and genre-bending chameleons Dexys are the headline acts.   

2012 saw record-breaking crowds enjoy two packed days of music featuring James, The Pogues, Jake Bugg, We Are Scientists, The Go! Team, Willy Mason, The Crookes, amongst other on Stockton’s Riverside. 

Saturday night of 2013’s event will see influential band Primal Scream bring their world-renowned live show to the banks of the River Tees. 

The band, formed in 1982 by Bobby Gillespie (then drummer for The Jesus & Mary Chain) and Jim Beattie, have released nine studio albums in their 30 year career – most notably the ground breaking Screamadelica, which saw the band shift from their indie rock sound to a more alternative rock/acid house sound that captured the early 90s perfectly. 

Although the line up has changed over the years the bands ethos has stayed the same and they still remain as one of the UKs greatest live exports. This year the band will perform alongside The Stone Roses, in their home city of Glasgow.  

The band will play the Weekender with a new album, More Light, released in May; it’s their first release for 5 years will feature Led Zeppelin hero Robert Plant. Expect to hear new tracks and classic such as Loaded, Moving On Up, Come Together, Country Girl and Rocks. 

UK chart toppers Dexys, formerly Dexys Midnight Runners, top Sunday’s bill, with Scottish hit-generators The Proclaimers performing just before them. 

Best known for their number 1 hits Come On Eileen and Geno, Dexys made a highly anticipated return to the music scene in 2012 with their fourth studio album, and a newly shortened name.  

The album, One Day I’m Going To Soar, saw the band return to their former glory and was listed on countless Best Album of 2012 lists – most notably coming 3rd in the BBCs list. 

Lead singer Kevin Rowland is joined by original members Jim Paterson, Pete Williams, Mick Talbot and newest member Lucy Morgan in recreating the pop, soul, rock and new wave hybrid sound that made the band a household name. 

Identical twin brothers Charlie and Craig Reid a.k.a The Proclaimers return to the Riverside after a 4-year absence. The much-loved anthem-wielding duo bring their hit packed set to Stockton Weekender on Sunday 28 July, warming the crowd up perfectly for headliners Dexys.

The band are best known for tracks I’m On My Way, Letter From America and, most notably, I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) which went to number 3 in America and in 2007 went to number 1 in the UK when comedians Peter Kay and Matt Lucas joined the band for a rerelease of the single for Comic Relief.  

TMA Director Paul Burns said “We’re only halfway through February but we’re already out of the starting blocks for what promises to be another astounding year for Stockton Weekender; we just seem to consistently do better year on year in terms of attracting big names here to Teesside. 

“We really hope that the local crowds will turn out in force again to support the festival – alongside what is now a small travelling army from around the country who visit Stockton-on-Tees for a great weekend of music.” 

More announcements are still to come including further acts for the Main Stage, as well as the Vela Stage, Cabaret Tent and The Georgian Theatre. 

Tickets are on sale from Friday 15 February, 10am. Early Bird prices are £25 a day, £35 for the weekend and £70 for camping. Ticket prices will increase in price from 1 May onwards. 

As in previous years each adult ticket entitles the holder to 2 free Under 14s tickets. Tickets are available HERE or you can call 01642 606612.