July Music Highlights in Newcastle Upon Tyne

The summer has certainly kicked off with a bang on the entertainment front, particularly for football fans and punters assessing the best sports betting apps, with several of the city’s leading bars offering a top-class match day experience for those looking to take in the Euro 2024 action.

With 51 games crammed into a month, it can be easy to forget that the global game isn’t the only show in town. However – for those who aren’t football-inclined or wish to add a little variety to their July social excursions – the region’s array of music venues provide a thrilling menu.

Looking at July alone, live gig-goers have no fewer than 78 options, including the following eclectic highlights:

Nils Frahm

Date: Thursday 4th July

Venue: The Glasshouse International Centre for Music

Carrying over the German theme from the football, one of the nation’s leading musical exports kicks things off with his innovative mix of electronic and classical at the Glasshouse

Mouth of the Tyne Festival Presents Ocean Colour Scene 2024

Date: Thursday 11th July

Venue: Tynemouth Priory and Castle

The darlings of the 90s Indie Scene kick off the North East’s biggest music festival, with Simon Fowler and co set to light up the summer with an array of hits, including “The Riverboat Song” and anthemic “The Day We Caught The Train”.

Mouth of the Tyne Festival Presents Rick Astley 2024

Date: Friday 12th July

Venue: Tynemouth Priory and Castle

It’s back to the 80s for Day 2 on Tynemouth, as Lancashire legend Rick Astley brings the party with a mix of the old and the new, including, of course, “Never Gonna Give You Up”.

Mouth of the Tyne Festival Presents Andrew Cushin 2024

Date: Saturday 13th July

Venue: Tynemouth Priory and Castle

Hot on the heels of the success of his 2023 debut album, “Waiting For The Rain”, local hero Andrew Cushin brings his collection of crowd-pleasing belters to the big stage.

DJ Shadow

Date: Saturday 13th July

Venue: The Glasshouse International Centre for Music

Continuing what is an exceptional month for electronic music fans, one of the biggest names in the genre brings his brilliant beats to the distinctive venue on the banks of the Tyne.

Mouth of the Tyne Festival Presents Heather Small 2024

Date: Sunday 14th July

Venue: Tynemouth Priory and Castle

During her time as frontwoman for M People, Heather Small boasted one of the most immediately recognisable voices in British House music. Now flying solo, those deep tones are coming to a stage near you in the (hopefully) summer sun.

The Drifters

Date: Friday 19th July

Venue: Whitley Bay Playhouse

The lineup may have changed significantly, but the hits remain the same. Head to the coast to bask in classics such as “Under The Boardwalk”, “Up On The Roof”, and “Save The Last Dance For Me”.

Alkaline Trio

Date: Monday 22nd July

Venue: Boiler Shop

From the soothing tones of The Drifters to one of the cornerstones of the US Punk Scene. Formed back in 1996, Chicago’s Alkaline Trio continue to bring the energy and promise an all-action show in support of their recent release, “Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs”.

Corrine Bailey Rae

Date: Wednesday 24th July

Venue: The Glasshouse International Centre for Music

Exploding onto the scene with “Put Your Records On” in 2006, Corrine Bailey Rae has racked up an impressive list of honours, including two Grammys and two MOBOs. Call in to the Glasshouse to sample a collection of hits old and new.

Arrested Development

Date: Thursday 25th July

Venue: The Cluny

Hip Hop fans are in for a treat late in the month as the Atlanta collective call in to the intimate surroundings of The Cluny in the Ouseburn.

Paul Smith

Date: Friday 26thJuly – Saturday 27th July

Venue: Utilita Arena

Best known as the frontman of indie rock outfit Maxïmo Park, Billingham’s own Paul Smith plays back-to-back nights at the Utilita Arena. Described as a mix of Morrissey and Jarvis Cocker, it promises to be quite the show!

Future Islands

Date: Saturday 31st July

Venue: O2 City Hall

Last, but by no means least, the seductive synth delights of North Carolina group Future Islands. The band who gave us the wondrous “Seasons” also happen to be fronted by a man in Samuel T. Herring, who is quite simply a force of nature. Any attempt to portray the energy and entertainment of his on-stage antics in a few words simply wouldn’t do him justice.