ROCK legend Bruce Springsteen is heading to the UK next year for a series of stadium gigs – but those who can’t wait that long for a fix of The Boss need not worry.
Tribute act the NE Street Band will be bringing the sounds of Springsteen to The Witham, Barnard Castle, on Saturday, September 17, with a show spanning the singer songwriter’s career from its beginnings in the early 1970s.
The NE Street Band was formed in 2019 but after just a handful of gigs was forced off the road due to Covid.
Fast forward a couple of years and a change of personnel saw the current six-strong line-up back performing and earning rave reviews across the North East.
Founder member and front man Graeme Richardson said it had been a frustrating start to the band’s career.
“I had been in a band called the Dust Town Dogs for ten years, which came to an end in March 2019,” he explained.
“I am a massive Springsteen fan and when the Dust Town Dogs came to an end, I wanted to do something that was a bit of a challenge and that I love doing.
“I just started getting this idea – could I do a Springsteen band? When Dust Town Dogs split, I thought I would try this – a 47-year-old starting a Springsteen band. And I love it – it’s the best thing I have done.”
He put ads on a couple of online forums and social media looking for like-minded musicians.
“It took a while. It was not an easy thing to get off the ground. These are not bog standard easy songs to do.
“We started rehearsals, had about four or five gigs and got to a stage where we then had to put it on hiatus.”
That break led to a change of line-up in the band, with some members moving on to other things during Covid.
Restored to full strength, the band has been gigging regularly this year and kicks off an autumn schedule at The Witham.
“We have had a good run of gigs at decent venues and we are really looking forward to coming to Barnard Castle, where we hope there will be a lot of people to see us,” added Graeme.
“We are getting our name out there and we've been getting some amazing feedback from gigs this year. Hopefully the reputation we are building will improve and improve.”
Tickets for the NE Street Band are £17 and £15. For details and booking go to www.thewitham.org.uk or contact the box office on 01833 631107.
