...as is Adam Kay

Jimmy Carr and Adam Kay have been added to the bill of what’s being billed as the first socially distanced live music arena.

They join previously announced Jason Manford and Bill Bailey  at Newcastle Racecourse, which being transformed into the Virgin Money Unity Arena from August 14, with 500 well-spaced viewing platforms.

Carr had previously been due to play a Popup Picnic festival in Oxfordshire this month, which was cancelled within hours of the announcement.

Now Carr will be  bringing his Terribly Funny tour to Newcastle on August 31, having reportedly sold 400,000 tickets to his shows over the past 18 months. 

Meanwhile, medic-turned-comedian-turned author Kay will be playing the venue on the night of August 16.

Other newly announced additions to the venue’s programme include Van Morrison, Ronan Keating and The Bootleg Beatles

Festival organiser Steve Davis from  SSD Concerts said: ‘To have acts of the calibre of Van Morrison and Jimmy Carr is amazing.’

Tickets go on sale on Wednesday.

• Carr has also announced two socially distanced gigs at Dubai’s World Trade Centre on August 13 and 14.

Published: 27 Jul 2020