You can almost see the meeting, a swanky office somewhere in the North East, a group of promoters spitballing ideas, trying to create a juggernaut of a gig to make the region proud and to get their hands on that elusive grey pound.
Suddenly one of them has it! How about a rock gig bringing two of the biggest stars from the North East? Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits and permanently-driving-home-for-Christmas star Chris Rea? YES! THAT IS IT!! GENIUS!!!
Now, we just need a catchy name for the tour and a sponsor...
