Live Music in Newcastle

Live Music in Newcastle: A Guide to the City’s Best Venues

There’s something different about live music in Newcastle. It’s loud without being showy, rooted in community, and always up for a surprise. From heritage concert halls to sweaty bars in Ouseburn, the city’s venues deliver live music in all forms—and they do it well. Whether you’re into punk, pop, jazz or something in between, there’s a space here that’ll make it sound just right.

If you’re looking for gig announcements, venue spotlights or local artist features, check out our music in Newcastle archive.

📍 Jump to:

🎼 The Glasshouse (formerly Sage Gateshead)

Just over the Tyne, The Glasshouse is the region’s flagship venue for classical, jazz, folk, and contemporary sounds. It’s an architectural gem with world-class acoustics, and a lineup that ranges from the Royal Northern Sinfonia to genre-pushing electronic artists.

This centre features three acoustically isolated performance spaces—including Sage One seating around 1,640 and Sage Two accommodating around 600—as well as music education facilities, cafés and a vibrant community programme—a celebration of inclusion and sound design along the Quayside.

🎤 NX Newcastle

Big shows. Bigger sound. NX sits in the old Majestic Ballroom and used to be the O₂ Academy. After a full refresh, it’s now one of the slickest venues in the city for live touring acts.

The 2,000‑capacity main room (often configured around 1,550 for gigs) retains original features from its cinema and ballroom past, while a second 350‑capacity room showcases emerging talent. Production is high-end, with LED screens, multiple bars and club-style nights—making NX a modern hybrid of heritage and high-tech.

🎸 O2 City Hall

O2 City Hall is one of those places where the walls have stories. It’s hosted everyone from The Beatles to Blondie, and today mixes vintage charm with modern booking.

With its curved balconies and original art-deco layout, concert and comedy tours alike benefit from both seated and standing formats. Promoters continue to value its acoustics and historical feel, making it one of the most enduring live venues in the North East.

🍻 The Cluny

The Cluny is more than just a venue—it’s part of Newcastle’s creative fabric. Located in Ouseburn, it has two live rooms, rotating local beers, and one of the most loyal crowds in the North East.

Cluny 2 is ideal for intimate acoustic shows and local artists, while the main room hosts touring indie acts and spoken-word nights. Its edgy atmosphere and DIY ethos make it a favourite among fans looking for unexpected discovery. You can check our latest gig reviews and previews for updates on who’s playing.

🎛️ Boiler Shop

High ceilings, industrial bones and an anything-goes attitude—Boiler Shop hosts everything from full-band live sets to immersive DJ shows. Its raw interior suits bold performances, and the programming often veers experimental.

With a standing capacity of around 1,000 and state-of-the-art sound and lighting, The Boiler Shop has welcomed acts like IDLES, Jungle and Sparks. The venue is regularly praised for its industrial beauty and versatility, frequently appearing on “must-visit” lists for combing visual theatre and music.

🍺 Wylam Brewery

Set inside the Palace of Arts, Wylam Brewery mixes live music with great beer and a relaxed crowd. The vibe here changes depending on the night—one weekend might be a disco DJ set, the next a soul-funk band or tribute act.

Its adaptable event space is part of its charm—Sunday afternoon funk sessions, Friday tribute nights and weekend mini festivals. The blend of craft brewing and live music creates a casual but considered experience that’s become a city favourite.

🎧 Think Tank?

Think Tank? is where new artists find their feet—and sometimes take off. With a no-nonsense layout and capacity just right for intimate chaos, it’s one of the city’s most important grassroots venues.

Artists like Sam Fender and Lewis Capaldi played here early in their careers. Support slots run alongside local showcases, and the name has become synonymous with raw buzz and band discovery in Newcastle’s alt-rock circuit.

💡 Digital

Digital might be known for its club nights, but it regularly transforms into a live stage for electronic acts and genre-bending sets. Its Funktion-One sound system and immersive visuals makes it a favourite for late-night fans.

Concerts blend into club culture here—techno, ambient, live AV sets and touring DJs. Its location in Times Square keeps it central, and the vibe matches the energy of both the city’s nightlife and its live scene.

🎤 Filthy’s

Filthy’s isn’t subtle—and that’s the point. Live music every night, usually covers and high-energy party sets. It’s packed, it’s noisy, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously.

With cheap drinks and high volume, the venue is popular among students and late-night crowds. Though unpolished, Filthy’s often hosts surprise sets, walk-on artists, and rowdy singalongs—all part of its unapologetic charm.

🍀 The Dubliner

Irish folk, Guinness and spontaneous singalongs—The Dubliner delivers all three. It’s one of the friendliest pubs in the city for live acoustic sessions. No stage needed. Just pull up a stool and let the night happen around you.

The musical format here shifts from Thursday open‑mic nights to full traditional sessions near the weekend. It’s rooted in folk culture but open to acoustic pop covers and local originals, keeping live music in Newcastle accessible and communal.

🎶 Ruby Rae’s

Country-themed and proud of it, Ruby Rae’s brings Americana to the city centre with live southern rock, acoustic soul and the occasional bit of line dancing. It’s part performance, part party—and the novelty never wears off.

From live Graham Nash tribute nights to country-soul showcases, this theme-driven bar delivers solid musicianship and a lively crowd. It’s a rare find for boot-wearers and karaoke fans who crave styled-up but genuine live acts.

🎵 Katie O’Brien’s

Katie O’Brien’s is the kind of place where live music never feels like a show—it just feels right. Regular open mics and acoustic sets keep things ticking midweek, and the weekends often go louder.

Locally booked bands and cover duos rotate nightly, making the venue a staple for emerging local voices. Many performers return week after week—resulting in well‑worn songs, local loyalty, and a laid‑back audience vibe.

🎸 Trillians Rock Bar

Trillians is Newcastle’s home for heavy music. A no‑frills basement bar with a long‑running reputation, it’s where metal, punk and hard rock fans gather for loud nights and loyal line-ups.

Regular tribute shows and underground bills support both touring and local rock acts. The venue functions as a community hub for Newcastle’s hard‑music fans—it’s the go‑to when you want distortion and devotion in equal measure.

🏟️ Utilita Arena Newcastle

Utilita Arena is Newcastle’s largest concert venue, built for spectacle and scale. With space for over 11,000 fans, it hosts arena-sized music tours, big-ticket comedy, and large-scale events throughout the year. Major names like Beyoncé, Arctic Monkeys, Dua Lipa and Paul McCartney have all performed here, drawn by its capacity and state-of-the-art production facilities.

Located near Central Station, it offers easy access, ample parking, and multiple bar areas inside. Whether it’s a global pop tour or a nostalgic rock reunion, the Utilita Arena delivers the kind of live experience only a true arena can.

🎶 The Globe

The Globe is Newcastle’s grassroots music gem—small in size but big on personality. It’s one of the UK’s only cooperatively run music venues, owned by the local Jazz.Coop, and offers an ever-changing line-up of jazz, blues, folk, world music and emerging artists.

The venue seats around 100 and maintains a strong community focus, supporting both regional performers and touring acts. Its atmosphere is welcoming, its programming eclectic, and its commitment to independent music is what keeps the place beating.

🌱 The Local Scene

There’s more to live music in Newcastle than the venues. Across Ouseburn, Heaton and the city centre, artists, collectives and promoters keep the scene alive behind the scenes.

Studios like Blank and First Avenue support artists long before their first headline. Independent promoters book multi‑genre nights in breweries, warehouses and pop‑up spaces. If you want to stay in touch with what’s happening off‑stage—band signings, album drops, music interviews and scene news—check out the live music in Newcastle news.

🧭 Gig Night Tips

  • Most venues are within 15 minutes of Central Station—walk or Metro it
  • Eat beforehand: The Cluny, Pizza Punks and Thali Tray are great pre-gig
  • Don’t skip the opener—you’ll hear someone new and worth following
  • Always check social media on the day for time changes or support acts
  • Bring cash for merch and stick around for a chat—bands remember it

🎙️ Final Word

Live music in Newcastle doesn’t feel corporate or packaged—it feels personal. It’s a city where the crowd still matters, where stages range from grand to improvised, and where music is everywhere if you’re paying attention. So whether you’re catching a headline show or walking into a bar on instinct, listen up. The Toon’s got something worth hearing.