Live Music in Newcastle, Gateshead and the North East

Music fans will never be short of things to do in Newcastle and Gateshead! Let your hair down and get lost in the music at venues across Newcastle and Gateshead. Whether you enjoy live music performed raw and dirty in an intimate pub gig venue or want to absorb the wonder of classical music in a spectacular theatre or music venue, then Newcastle and Gateshead have it covered. Check out the North East’s theatres and performance venues for fans of musical theatre and West-End shows.

Sing along to the biggest names in the music industry from pop-stars to rock stars at Utilita Arena Newcastle - a purpose-built concert and exhibition venue which hosts global stars including Stormzy, Dua Lipa, James Arthur and Barry Manilow, as well as comedy, exciting sporting events, annual Disney On Ice shows and family performances.

Smaller in scale but certainly not in atmosphere, O2 City Hall Newcastle which opened in 1927, was the city’s first dedicated concert hall and continues to be a popular venue for a wide genre of music and performance including rock, pop and comedy.

On the south bank of the River Tyne, Sage Gateshead is as much a tourist attraction for its iconic Lord Foster-designed architecture as it is for the music within. The stunning acoustics bring out the best in everything from rock to folk and country and Americana to jazz, not to mention its own orchestra – Royal Northern Sinfonia – which delivers a varied and impressive year-round classical programme.

A stroll through Exhibition Park will take you to Wylam Brewery, a Grade II listed building known as The Palace of Arts, adding a new dimension to the Newcastle music scene. This artist friendly, live music space offers up a winning combination of micro-brewery and gig-venue where you can dance the night away at regular Motown themed nights, bouncing performances blending much-loved, iconic tunes with live orchestras or see well known DJs and bands do their thing. Live music at Wylam Brewery is good for the soul!

Boiler Shop – a converted industrial warehouse which dates back to the 1800s, and STACK Newcastle – found in an edgy shipping container village in Newcastle city centre - host regular live music events, gigs and music festivals to suit those looking for unique venues and surroundings.

Prefer the sound of the underground? Head for the O2 Academy, which provides an awesome performance space for indie favourites and up-and-coming acts. And if it’s real Geordie flavour you’re after, head down to Ouseburn for Newcastle’s live music scene in the some of the best pubs. The Cluny, housed in an old whisky distillery, is a popular music venue in Newcastle playing host to established bands as well as more intimate gigs from up-and-coming local artists – all with a great laid-back atmosphere. Get there early to sample The Cluny Kitchen’s delicious home-cooked food and great range of local beers. Just remember to put your pint down before you start dancing!

Fans of the outdoors will find a number of live music festivals taking place across the city throughout the year, from popular music festival This is Tomorrow Festival which usually takes place in May at Exhibition Park to Hit the North Festival and many more.

Visitors looking for live music will find what they're looking for in many of our top bars and top pubs.