A THEATRE in Wigton are getting ready to welcome the return of a South African band next week.

The John Peel Theatre, Station Road, Wigton, will be the venue for Gage to kick off their tour as they return to the UK.

For the third year running they will start their tour at the venue on July 18 from 7.30pm.

This year, they will once again be joined by local guitar hero Cameron Anderson, formally of Salvation.

Connie Jensen, chairwoman of the theatre, said: “Coming from Kimberley, in the northern Cape region of South

Africa, Gage present an astounding set of original hard rock, rivalling the tones of AC/DC, Bon Jovi and many more.”

Having featured in Rolling Stone magazine and on News Channel 24, they have gone on to play some of their home nation’s biggest music festivals, such as SplashyFen, Oppikoppi and the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, and supporting African rock legends like Wonderboom, Mean Mr Mustard, Crash Car Burn and Prime Circle.

After the first date at the theatre Gage will play at Aspatria music festival on July 20 and 21, Workington Royal British Legion on July 20, Keswick’s Golden Lion on July 26, Cockermouth Fletcher Christian on July 27 and Maryport music festival on July 28.

Tickets for the Cumbrian dates are available from the respective venues and festival websites.

Tickets are £10 for the Wigton gig from Ticket Source.