7 Must-Do Mercury Fringe Events in Newcastle
Get the lowdown on what’s happening during Mercury Fringe in Newcastle
In case you’ve been living under a rock these past few months, you may have heard that the Mercury Prize is coming to Newcastle for the first time this October and bringing with it a fantastic, free programme of fringe events.
Running from Friday 10th October to Wednesday 15th October, Mercury Fringe will feature everything from music workshops and masterclasses to live music showcases from rising North East musicians and even a music industry conference. Read on for all the Mercury Fringe events happening in Newcastle.
The Essentials of Music Management @ Live Theatre
Whether you’re an aspiring or experienced music manager, you’ll not want to miss out on this interactive workshop at Live Theatre. Hosted by Paul Bonham, Professional Development Director at the Music Managers Forum, attendees will be guided the practicalities of supporting artists – exploring real-world challenges, the demands of the modern music industry and how to build sustainable careers.
Friday 10th October, Free but tickets must be reserved
World HQ Cultivates presents: Album Production Masterclass with Nectax @ World HQ
If you’ve ever wondered about the ins and outs of producing and releasing an album, then now’s your chance to find out more. Newcastle-based DJ and producer Nextax is set to take attendees through the production of his debut album A State of Play on Over/Shadow including a Q&A providing insight into how to produce an electronic album, how to secure releases with record labels and much, much more.
Monday 13th October, Free but tickets must be reserved
Nrthrn Baby Showcase @ Pilgrim
Discover some of the North East’s most talented up-and-coming acts in the with Nrthrn Baby’s musical showcase at Pilgrim. Focusing on live rap and R&B, this one-off night will see jazz/neo-soul collective SwanNek join forces with local artists Reali-T, dennis. and Jenna Cole for a collaborative, high-energy show reworking their music into jazz-infused arrangements.
Friday 10th October, Free but tickets must be reserved
Tim’s Listening Party with Lanterns on the Lake @ The Glasshouse
You may have heard Tim’s Listening Party podcast – the brainchild of Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess – on Absolute Radio but now you can witness it live at The Glasshouse with Mercury Fringe! He’ll be joined by Newcastle indie-rockers Lanterns on the Lake to chat about and listen to their fourth studio album Spook the Heard, which received a Mercury Prize nomination in 2020.
Monday 13th October, Free but tickets must be reserved
Art of the Album Day @ The Common Room
Take a deep dive into the art of making and releasing an album with this full day event at The Common Room. Aimed at artists, producers and industry professionals looking to understand more about the album-making process, attendees will explore the likes of songwriting, mixing and mastering, album artwork and distribution through a series of panels, masterclasses and conversations.
Wednesday 15th October, Free but tickets must be reserved
Generator Live Conference @ Newcastle Civic Centre
The McDaddy of all Mercury Fringe events is, of course, the annual Generator Live Conference. Taking place at Newcastle Civic Centre from 10am to 6pm, it’s a day packed full of panels, talks and networking that aims to inspire the next generation of music and industry talent. With practical advice and insider knowledge from artists, executives and music innovators, Generator Live is perfect for both aspiring artists and professionals.
Tuesday 14th October, Free but tickets must be reserved
BBC Introducing: Generator x Mercury Prize Fringe Special @ The Glasshouse
Head to The Glasshouse for this very special edition of BBC Introducing and discover some of the most exciting artists in the North East currently gaining a name for themselves nationally. Newcastle chef-turned-musician ERNIE, Brazilian-born and Newcastle-based alt-pop songstress Nadedja and Sunderland singer-songwriter Isabel Maria will all be performing – catch these future music stars before they hit the big time.
Tuesday 14th October, Free but tickets must be reserved
Whether you’re an aspiring musician, a local industry professional or simply passionate about the North East’s music scene, there’s a Mercury Fringe event for you – so gets those tickets booked and let’s make the most of the Mercury Prize’s Newcastle debut!
Mercury Fringe takes place from Friday 10th October to Wednesday 15th October at various venues across the North East. For more information visit the Mercury Fringe website and swing by AXS to buy tickets for the 2025 Mercury Prize awards show at Utilita Arena on Thursday 16th October.
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