Live Music Takes Centre Stage at Grainger Market for Mercury Fringe
Six exciting emerging music acts from across the North East will perform live at Newcastle’s iconic Grainger Market this Saturday, 17 October, as Grainger Market Unplugged brings a day of free music to the heart of the city.
Part of the 2026 Mercury Prize Fringe, powered by Generator, the North’s leading music development organisation, the free event will give residents and visitors the chance to discover new music, catch some of the region’s rising talent live and enjoy performances in one of Newcastle’s best-loved destinations.
Organised by Creative Central NCL on behalf of Newcastle City Council, Grainger Market Unplugged will take place in the market arcade, with live performances every hour from 11am until 4pm. Curated and hosted by Neave from The Support Act, in partnership with Generator, the programme will bring together a selection of the region's most promising new artists, showcasing a variety of musical styles.
The line-up features FAWNS at 11am, Sam Bennett at noon, Hels Pattison at 1pm, Josh Webb at 2pm, Polyvinyl at 3pm and Bear Park at 4pm. Each artist will perform an approximately 30-minute set, with visitors welcome to drop in throughout the day. The event is free and unticketed, so there is no need to book.
Alongside the live music, visitors can enjoy everything Grainger Market has to offer, from its independent traders and food and drink outlets to communal seating and a pop-up bar operated by Firebrick Brewery. Creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere in the historic market, Grainger Market Unplugged will encourage residents and visitors to spend time, discover new music and support local businesses, while celebrating Newcastle’s creativity and grassroots music scene.
Cllr Rob Austin, Cabinet Member for Culture, Communities and Youth Services at Newcastle City Council, said: “Grainger Market is such an important part of Newcastle’s cultural identity, so it’s fantastic to see it play such a prominent role in this year’s Mercury Fringe. Grainger Market Unplugged is a brilliant opportunity to bring music and culture to life while shining a light on the incredible grassroots talent we have in our city.
“Creating opportunities for new and local musicians to perform, connect with audiences and have their music heard is so important to the future of our music scene. By giving artists a platform and helping more people discover their talent, we are supporting the next generation of musicians and strengthening the grassroots music scene that makes Newcastle’s cultural offer so distinctive.
“This is exactly the kind of activity we want to see as we deliver our ten-year cultural ambition for Newcastle, creating more opportunities for people to experience culture and for our homegrown talent to develop, thrive and be recognised.”
Adam MacDonald North East Project Manager, Generator said: “Grainger Market Unplugged is a great example of what the Mercury Prize Fringe is all about – creating opportunities for emerging talent and the people championing them.
“Giving a local music platform like The Support Act the opportunity to programme an event during such a prestigious week in such an iconic space in Newcastle is a fantastic platform to showcase their ideas and shine a light on the wealth of emerging talent across the region. It’s exactly the kind of opportunity we want the Fringe to create.”
Grainger Market Unplugged is part of the Mercury Fringe, which runs from 15 to 22 October, bringing gigs, workshops, discussions and creative experiences to venues across Newcastle. The programme celebrates the region’s musical talent and gives audiences more opportunities to discover new artists.
The Mercury Prize, organised and managed by the BPI (British Phonographic Industry), returns to Utilita Arena Newcastle for a second consecutive year on Thursday 22 October. The Prize recognises the best new British and Irish music, celebrating artistic achievement across an eclectic range of contemporary music genres. As an independent arts prize, it champions the album format, acts as a snapshot of the year in music and often provides a major platform for up-and-coming artists and their musical work. The Prize has been an important milestone in past winners’ journeys, acting as a stepping stone to wider success in the UK and Ireland as well as internationally.
For the full Mercury Fringe programme, visit the Mercury Prize Fringe website.
