Sage Gateshead freezes Great Exhibition of the North ticket sales

The venue said tickets will be unavailable for some events it is hosting as part of the Great Exhibition of the North until discussions among partners conclude, following revelations that one of the Exhibition’s key sponsors is BAE Systems, an arms manufacturer accused of “profiteering from the deaths of innocent children”. Artists including the Commoners Choirs have pulled out of the event and radio DJ Lauren Laverne said BAE System’s involvement has “raised questions” for her and other artists in the programme.