NEWPORT will celebrate the life of TJ’s legend John Sicolo this summer with a special open-air gig in the city centre.

Many of the bands who found their feet in TJ’s 15 years ago will play one-off sets at the free show for more than 2,000 people.

Music stars of the 1990s will reform for the gig in John Frost Square as a tribute to the TJ’s owner who died in March.

The concert will see performances by the likes of Novocaine, Doctor Bison, Flyscreen, Rollerco, Varispeed and Disco.

Mr Sicolo was pivotal to the mid-1990s Newport music scene which led to the New York Times dubbing the town the ‘New Seattle’.

At that time, local MP Paul Flynn even raised a Parliamentary White Paper in praise of the town’s talented musicians.

Local band Goldie Lookin’ Chain will be joined by a stellar line-up including The Darling Buds, fronted by Andrea Lewis, who have not played together since the 1990s.

There will also be performances by newer bands including Sick Livers, Bad Samaritans and Elephant Rescue Plan with ska bands earlier in the day.

As well as the established name acts, a band of local youngsters will also be given the chance to play in front of the crowd of thousands as part of a 'Square Factor' talent contest supported by social housing landlord Newport City Homes.

The bill for the concert on Saturday, July 10, has been put together by Emma Stowell-Corten from Newport magazine Voice and music writer Andy Barding.

Mr Barding said: “The response from bands has been tremendous. There is a lot of love and respect for John Sicolo in the music world and some of these groups are going to great lengths to get back together for one last tribute to him. That says a lot about the kind of man he was.”

The gig will run from 11am until around 9.30pm and will have guest speakers including Mr Sicolo’s daughter Leanne.