From The Beatles to David Bowie and from Ed Sheeran to Pavarotti, Newcastle has played host to some of the most famous artists in the world, and the city is blessed with some world-class entertainment venues. We’re pretty good at growing our own talent too (ever heard of Dire Straits, Lindisfarne, The Animals, Maximo Park or Sam Fender?) and the city’s pubs and small venues are the perfect place to discover your next musical obsession.
Here, we’ve rounded up some of the most exciting venues in the city to watch live music. See you down the front!
Utilita Arena, Arena Way
It may have gone under a couple of different names over its 27 year history, but the city’s biggest venue has played host to some of the world’s biggest stars including Rihanna, Kylie Minogue, Beyonce, Britney Spears, Pavarotti, Elton John, Janet Jackson, Metallica, David Bowie, Lady Gaga...the list goes on (and on!) The 11,000 capacity venue is a versatile space, allowing for both seated and standing events, and also hosting conventions and conferences too. You’ll find everything from life-sized dinosaur shows to live basketball, stand-up comedy and even Strictly Come Dancing!
Image by Jay Dawson
The relative new kid on the block, NX Newcastle is the latest moniker for the old Majestic picture house (formerly the O2 Academy) on Westgate Road, and has recently undergone a serious make-over which has transformed the venue into a multi-roomed space catering for live music and club nights. Aiming to get music fans into the heart of the action with mezzanine platforms and intimate viewing spaces, it’s been tailor-made for megastar DJs as well as the hottest live music talent. Expect big productions, superb audiovisuals and a great night-time experience.
O2 City Hall, Northumberland Road
The Grade II listed building which houses O2 City Hall is one of the most beloved in the city. Opened in 1927 as part of the same complex which houses the neighbouring City Baths, it’s been the ‘go to’ place for touring musicians for decades, and a real favourite with music lovers too - there are many legendary tales about performances here! Having undergone a bit of a refit post-Covid lockdowns, the venue can now manage both seated and standing shows, making it an adaptable space for the Academy Music Group’s roster of touring artists which often includes big name rock and indie bands. You’ll also find stand-up comedy here too.
Image by Victoria Wai
Boiler Shop, South Street
Newcastle has its fair share of historic buildings, but not many music venues in the world can claim to have once housed a legend of the industrial revolution. The Boiler Shop was where Robert and George Stephenson began the world’s first locomotive works, and many of its industrial elements still remain. It remains a prestigious and dynamic space with an independent spirit, and where you’ll find everything from Bongo’s Bingo nights to huge touring shows and even wedding fairs and markets.
Northumbria University Students’ Union, Sandyford Road
Just to confuse matters, Newcastle has two big university campuses, and both have excellent live music facilities. Northumbria Uni has two venues: Reds Bar upstairs is a more intimate space which tends to host smaller, up-and-coming artists, while downstairs Domain is a huge room capable of pulling in larger touring artists.
Newcastle University Students’ Union, King’s Road
Newcastle University’s Student Union is reputedly the home of Europe’s longest bar in their Venue space, which is a boon for anyone who’s queued for a drink at the campus music venue! With clever moveable walls, the 1,500 capacity venue has the capability to transform itself for each show, and you’ll find a healthy mix of up-and-coming indie rock bands and established touring acts on its stage.
World Headquarters, Carliol Square
This club is a really welcoming space, made famous for its underground ethos and inclusive attitude. The venue prides itself on its ‘block party vibe' and is a place where subgenres thrive, with everything from Italo house nights to reggae soundsystems on its roster. World Headquarters really go out of their way to provide a safe space for music lovers, and – as long as it’s in the spirit of inclusivity and diversity – anything goes here.
Prohibition Cabaret Bar, Pink Lane
A true Newcastle original, stepping into Prohibition is like transporting yourself to another world entirely, one filled with 1920s-themed décor and offering entertainment like no other in the city. Here, you’ll just as likely find a burlesque performance as you will a live Americana band, and there’s a regular roster of live jazz, blues, drag and cabaret performances, DIY disco nights, stand-up comedy and pub quizzes, plus an afternoon social for dogs (and their owners) and an upstairs space that's available to hire. A truly eclectic location, it’s a must-visit venue that is proud to be inclusive and accessible and celebrates diversity, individuality and every corner of the rainbow spectrum.
Image: Australian band Massive, and their fans
If you wanna rock, you’ll find your tribe at Trillians. The underground bar is hidden away off the main drag of Northumberland Street, and houses a dedicated space for lovers of rock, metal and heavy music of all kinds, catering to a committed community of punters. You’ll find live music on most nights, with many events free entry - from touring troupes of heavy metallers to hard-rocking tributes and local noise makers. If you like it loud, you’ll find it here!
Hoochie Coochie, Pilgrim Street
Hoochie Coochie is one of those venues where you instantly feel comfortable the minute you step through the door; an intimate and smart city centre bar, where the drinks are always excellent, the seating cosy and the dancefloor always alight. Specialising in music of Black origin (soul, funk, house, disco and jazz included), the friendly and intimate space has played host to some massive artists in the past - from Chaka Khan and Candi Staton to Gregory Porter and Soul II Soul, not to mention superstar DJs like Norman Jay and Jazzy Jeff. As an added bonus, many events are free entry.
Head of Steam, Neville Street
Playing the Head of Steam is a local band rite of passage, and the underground venue has often been a hotspot for musos. Head upstairs for the main bar, where you’ll find an impressive range of international and local beers, and downstairs to the basement for live music, which regularly hosts up and coming touring artists and the hottest local talent.
Wylam Brewery, Exhibition Park
There’s no doubt that Wylam Brewery’s location is pretty special; overlooking a small lake in the heart of one of the city’s best green spaces - even the walk to the venue is evocative. The Grade II listed building (which was built for the North East Coast Exhibition in 1929 and has variously been a science museum and a military vehicle museum) has had a loving renovation and now plays host to the popular Wylam Brewery’s tap room and an impressive events space where you can expect to see all manner of live shows including exciting rock bands, renowned folk artists, emerging indie groups and much more.
Image by Paul Murray
The Globe, Railway Street
One of the UK’s only cooperatively owned venues, The Globe is a haven for lovers of roots, jazz, folk, Americana, blues, pop, reggae, soul and everything in between. A real music lovers’ space, which is dedicated to the enjoyment of the live experience, The Globe is a wonderfully welcoming and inclusive venue which has won many awards, including UK Jazz Venue of the Year in 2022. On the bill you’ll find regular jam nights, quirky club nights, live gigs practically every night of the week and even an opportunity to join workshops and courses.
Image by Mark Buchanan
The Lubber Fiend, Blandford Street
This not-for-profit space is the very epitome of Newcastle’s DIY underground attitude; if something you want doesn’t exist, make it yourself. The community-minded and largely crowd-funded venue aims to provide a space for local and touring artists to find an appreciative and respectful audience, and caters to an eclectic variety of music and club nights as well as providing a space for markets, art and record fairs, film screenings, talks and performances. The music policy often treads the outskirts of genres, and you’ll find everything from punk and metal to ceilidh and folk.
So, whether you’re looking for a big show from a household name, a showcase of up-and-coming artists or just a great night out with live music attached, Newcastle is definitely the place to be.
