Stockton Globe announces Diversity's 'Connected' tour will come to the art-deco venue in 2021

After nine sell-out tours with over 600,00 tickets sold, Diversity will bring the brand-new 'Connected' tour to the historic venue on Wednesday, June 2 2021, with tickets on sale Friday 16 October at 10am.

Created by Diversity's lead member Ashley Banjo, 'Connected' will be the second high profile act to go on sale at the Stockton Globe, after a now sold out date for multi-platinum selling, BRIT Award winner Paloma Faith was announced last week.

Ashley is no stranger to Stockton after he got the town moving and the high street bouncing for Sky's Big Town Dance in 2014, while the latest creative offering from Diversity centres around the world of social media, the internet, and the digital era we now live in, but more importantly how this connects us all.

This tour marks something of a new chapter for the former Britain's Got Talent winning act after the group marked 10 years since that incredible achievement with a critically acclaimed sell out 48 show UK tour, Born Ready, last year.

A hugely exciting future is being mapped out for the historic Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) run venue with a focus on world class live music and comedy performances, as well as household names with a family appeal.

The next acts to be announced from the initial opening programme will be revealed and put on sale on Friday 23 October 2020 following an industry launch for the venue the day before. This digital showcase will be an online access all areas tour for today's world, telling the story of the venue and its plans for the future, with performance footage and filmed contributions revealing the first high-profile music and comedy talent due to play the venue in 2021.

Councillor Jim Beall, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture, said: "We said Paloma Faith was just the start of the big-name announcements and ATG are really delivering with the booking of Diversity.

"It's a sign of the really broad spectrum of shows we'll have at the venue including music, comedy, family performances and more.

"The Paloma Faith gig selling out so quickly proves there is a very healthy appetite in our area for quality live entertainment and points to just how popular a venue the Globe will be.

"It'll be great to welcome Ashley and the rest of Diversity back to the town; they'll have fond memories of Stockton and I've no doubt they will be blown away by the Globe."

Stockton Globe General Manager, Jo Ager, said: "Diversity is an act that we have wanted to bring to Stockton Globe from the outset; they are loved around the world and when you watch them you really do know that you have been to a show!

"It's particularly exciting to bring a dance act to our stage because the venue has hosted many dance acts over the years and we love celebrating our phenomenal history.

"This is an excellent follow-up to the Paloma Faith announcement, and we cannot wait to reveal the rest of the acts included in our initial opening programme on 22 October!"

The 3000-plus capacity Stockton Globe is currently being restored to its former art-deco glory by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

In May 2018 the Council established a partnership with ATG which will see ATG operate the Globe on a 25-year management contract. The soon-to-be-reopened venue will be the largest of its kind between Newcastle and Leeds. Also launching as part of the refurbishment is a 250-capacity event space housed in the adjoining building.