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Things To Do

Autumn 2025: 15 Big Music Moments in Newcastle

Our seasonal round-up of the Toon’s best gigs and concerts is back for autumn…

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We might be saying farewell to the city’s summer music festival season, but there are still plenty of big music moments happening in Newcastle all through autumn.

From big arena shows to intimate gigs, music mavens are spoilt for choice in the Toon this autumn – and let’s not forget that Newcastle is set to host the Mercury Prize awards show for the first time ever too.

A monumental music season is upon us so without further ado, here’s our round up of Newcastle’s best gigs and concerts this autumn.

September

Tom Grennan is bringing a Little Bit of Love to the Toon when he stops by Utilita Arena this September on the Newcastle leg of his GRENNAN ’25 tour. With songs from his recently released album Everywhere I Went, Led Me to Where I Didn't Want to Be to show off and support from two amazing Scottish singer-songwriters (Tom Walker and Rianne Downey), it’s the perfect way to kick off the autumn gig season in Newcastle. (16th September)

The annual Newcastle Jazz Festival – now in its sixth edition – makes a welcome return this September with a day full of world-class jazz at Live Theatre. Expect gigs from the likes of folk-infused jazz band Nauta and be-bop outfit the Noel Dennis Trio, followed by an after-hours jam at the Live Theatre bar with drinks, socialising and even more live music. (20th September)

Tom Grennan Tom Grennan

Time to dig out those leg warmers and rah-rah skirts because Newcastle Cathedral is hosting the mother of all 80s throwback nights this September with 80s Anthems by Candlelight! Featuring an epic live band and amazing singers belting out everything from rock anthems and power ballads to pop classics, its one 80s kids won’t want to miss. (26th September)

If hip hop is more your jam, then Digital is the place to be this autumn. The Hip Hop Festival – the UK’s biggest tribute fest to old school hip hop – is taking over the club this September with a unique show featuring vocalists and a live band performing classics by the likes of Biggie, 2Pac and Dr Dre and an epic production… we hear there’ll even be fire-breathing MCs! (27th September)

The Sir Graham Wylie Foundation’s annual Rock & Raise night also makes a welcome return to Newcastle this September – and this time the spotlight is on country music. Hosted by radio legend Bob Harris at Wylam Brewery, there’ll be music from acts including Kezia Gill, The Often Herd and the North East’s own Lorraine Crosby and all proceeds go to charity. Yee-haw! (30th September)

October

No, JoJo Siwa playing at Digital wasn’t on our 2025 bingo card either but it’s definitely happening! Hot on the heels of her Celebrity Big Brother stint and cover of Bette Davis Eyes going viral, she’s swinging by the Toon as part of a seven-date UK tour. Let’s just hope she leaves the Sunderland shirt at home this time… (3rd October)

Get set for the ultimate pop-rock face-off at Utilita Arena this October with Busted vs McFly. That’s right: the noughties legends are heading out on tour together to prove once and for all who is the better pop rock band. The only question left is – are you Team Busted or Team McFly? (10th – 12th October)

Andrew Cushin Andrew Cushin

For a rock experience of an entirely different nature, book up for The Rock Orchestra at O2 City Hall this October. A must-see for any rock fan, it’s a spell-binding experience featuring a troupe of classical musicians breathing new life into classic songs from bands like Metallica, AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, System of a Down and more along with pyro displays, fire performers and circus acts – prepare to be wowed! (15th October)

Unless you’ve been living under a rock these past few months, you’ve probably already heard the amazing news – the Mercury Prize is coming to Newcastle! Taking place at Utilita Arena this October, it’s the first time the awards show has been held outside of London in its 32-year history, and we can’t wait to find out who scoops Album of the Year this time around! (16th October)

Don’t worry if you missed out on seeing hometown talent Andrew Cushin at Come Together Festival over the summer because he’s back in the Toon this October at O2 City Hall, taking his new album Love Is For Everyone on tour. Tickets for his hometown shows always sell like hotcakes so better get booked up quick! (25th October)

November

Rising star of the electronic music scene Halina Rice promises a gig to remember at Newcastle University Students’ Union this November. Her shows – described as “part-rave, part art-happening” – are truly breaking ground in the genre, mixing experimental sounds with contemporary art to create an immersive and intimate audiovisual experience for her audiences. One EDM fans won’t want to miss. (14th November)

Utilita Arena is really embracing the 90s/noughties nostalgia this autumn because not only are Busted and McFly gracing the stage, but boyband Five are too! After a quarter of a century apart, all five original members – Abz, J, Ritchie, Scott and Sean – are reuniting for an epic tour that we’re sure will make Everybody Get Up! (14th November & 26th November)

Five Five

Take a trip to The Dark Side of the Moon this November with The Australian Pink Floyd Show at O2 City Hall. Hailed as the biggest and best Pink Floyd tribute on the planet (David Gilmour even asked them to play at his 50th birthday party!), this is about as close to the real thing as Pink Floyd fans can get. (23rd November)

You’ve probably come across Brian Bilston – aka the new people’s poet – on social media but did you know he’s joined forces with indie band The Catenary Wires on an album? Find out exactly what this fusion of spoken word and indie-pop has produced when Brian and the band bring Poetry & Pop Songs: A Concert to Pilgrim this November. (27th November)

Last but by no means least, we’re rounding out the autumn season with tickets to see Rizzle Kicks. After a decade-long hiatus the British hip hop duo have reunited and are back on the road – expect classics like Down With the Trumpets and Mama Do the Hump, plus fresh tracks from their new album Competition is for Losers. (27th November)

Jazz hands, rock riffs, hip hop beats and pop hooks – Newcastle’s autumn is basically one big playlist on shuffle. And with the Mercury Prize hitting the city, you’ve officially got zero excuses not to get out and catch the soundtrack live!

Main image: The Rock Orchestra / Image courtesy of Academy Music Group

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