Main image: Suede by Christophe Dehousse
There’s no doubting Newcastle is a music lover’s city, with a whole host of venues regaling fans with every genre of music imaginable practically every night of the week. And with the live music sector back in full swing, the first couple of months of 2023 bring a veritable smorgasbord of talent to our city. If you’re looking for a little pick-me-up in the colder months, here are a few suggestions from us...
January
Image: Lewis Capaldi by Alexandra Gavillet
While it’s traditionally a quiet time on the touring circuit, there are some big hitters heading our way in January. Multi-award-winning megastar Lewis Capaldi brings his Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent tour to Utilita Arena on Thursday 21st, where fans can get a taste of the singer’s emotive ballads, polished sound and cheeky charm. On a slightly more danceable note, the inimitable Mr Scruff heads to Wylam Brewery for a mammoth five hour DJ set on Friday 27th, where you can expect everything from electronic to trip-hop, house, nu-jazz and electro swing.
If something altogether different is floating your boat, Saturday 14th January sees a chilled out event at The Globe featuring Shunyata Improvisation Group who perform on cello, violin, guitar and percussion inspired by Zen approaches to art. Expect an evening of sparse, meditative acoustic improv.
February
Image: You Me At Six
Things ramp up considerably as February hits, and emo rockers You Me At Six are certain to bring the party to O2 City Hall Newcastle when they bring their Truth Decay album tour to the city on Tuesday 7th. There’s more indie joy at Newcastle University Students’ Union, where inimitable rockers Reverend & The Makers perform on Tuesday 14th. Rather more rocky than romantic, the Sheffield band nonetheless put on a show perfect for taking your bae along to!
Over at Northumbria University Students’ Union, New York quirky rock band We Are Scientists offer up their unique brand of witty and energy-fuelled songs. On the punkier end of the scale, superb indie venue The Lubber Fiend offer up an all-day adventure in sound on Saturday 11th with their Does Your Mother Know punk festival, featuring sets from The Flex, Indre Krig, Wise Up, Mortsafe, Motive and more.
March
Image: Shame by Pooneh Ghana
With the encroaching warmth of Spring comes the real touring season for artists, and there are a glut of amazing shows coming to the city in March. Kick your month off with a boogie along with superstar DJ Fatboy Slim at O2 City Hall Newcastle on Thursday 2nd when you can expect to hear quality beats all night long from the iconic DJ.
There’s indie loveliness courtesy of the increasingly popular Tom Grennan at Utilita Arena on Tuesday 14th – in fact, he’s making such a name for himself thanks to his distinct gravelly voice and heartfelt sound, that this show has been moved from the O2 City Hall to increase capacity.
If it’s indie scamps with attitude you’re looking for, your journey has come to its end with The Lathums’ gig at Northumbria Uni on Tuesday 7th. Gaining increasing acclaim for their lyricism which champions the underdog, this jangly band from Wigan are fun indeed. Dance heads are catered for too, as NX Newcastle welcomes artist, producer and DJ Sigala on Tuesday 7th and will see the renowned artist continue to push the envelope when it comes to party-starting anthems and electrifying live shows.
Saturday 3rd belongs to the tremendous Bullet For My Valentine at O2 City Hall Newcastle, who will be performing tracks from their viscerally heavy new self-titled album; while over at Boiler Shop on Saturday 4th you’ll find more critically acclaimed Shame peddling their sing-along brand of indie-fuelled post-punk. If it’s indie megastars you’re after, look no further than Brett Anderson and his crew’s performance at O2 City Hall on Friday 17th, as Suede present their Autofiction tour for what’s certain to be a rabid fanbase.
This is merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to amazing live music in the city, so be sure to keep an eye out for even more amazing live shows across every genre you can think of in our Events section!
