Main image: Maxïmo Park by Em Cole
You might’ve noticed there was a considerable hoo-har over local-lad-done-good Sam Fender’s St James’ Park gigs recently, with two nights at the 55,000 capacity stadium selling out in under 30 minutes for his shows next June. If you missed out (or even if you didn’t), there’s loads going on in the city for music lovers this Autumn and, alongside the big hitters, there’s a few under-the-radar artists that are also worth a look – after all, even Sam Fender played small local venues once!
Check out some of our tips for the next three months, you might just find your new favourite band...
SEPTEMBER
The month may be almost over, but there’s still a couple of corkers in the pipeline. For Irish music fans Cara Dillon’s show at Wylam Brewery will offer up a captivating masterclass in traditional folk (22nd Sept); expect superb musicianship and songwriting prowess as American troubadour Don Mclean heads to Sage Gateshead (24th Sept); talking of which, Sage Gateshead have teamed up with the wonderful Arthur’s at Fenwick for their Future Sounds showcase events, which aim to shine a light on local talent while also providing a three-course meal – expect music from alt. pop artist Nadedja and nu-soul courtesy of LYRAS (23rd Sept), plus local songstress Faye Fantarrow and jazz quartet Knats (24th Sept). If a little more swagger is on the menu, Stone Roses’ frontman Ian Brown heads out on his first solo tour in over a decade, playing O2 City Hall (29th Sept).
Image: Nadedja by Saint Sophie
OCTOBER
If you’re old enough to remember American alt. rockers The Lemonheads’ seminal album It’s A Shame About Ray the first time around, you can relive your youth at Newcastle University Students’ Union when the band mark the album’s 30th anniversary (1st October). Also at the venue later in the month, electro punk fans will be wowed by Scottish duo VUKOVI who celebrate the release of their new album (29th Oct).
In a celebration of Black History Month, Bristolian singer-songwriter Lady Nade presents her powerful and memorable sound which draws from genres as wide as modern folk, soul and pop at The Globe (6th Oct). And later in the month, The Globe once again show off their folk and roots expertise as they welcome transatlantic neo-folk trio The Magpies, whose contemporary sound has seen them grace stages far and wide to considerable critical acclaim (20th Oct).
Image: Kiefer Sutherland
At legendary venue O2 City Hall, there’s a bunch of worthy shows to check out. There’s no need to walk 500 miles (sorry) to see The Proclaimers, as the legendary Scottish brothers bring their honest, poignant and often political sound to Newcastle (8th Oct); one of the finest bands from the North East, Maximo Park, will scissor-kick their way through a host of their indie rock hits (14th Oct); having achieved the rare transition from reality TV pop star to bone fide artist, Will Young’s vulnerable yet danceable sound will be a real treat to see (18th Oct); and he may be better known as playing the breathless saver of the world Jack Bauer in action TV show 24, but Kiefer Sutherland is also a pretty darn great musician too, see him in all his country rock glory (28th Oct).
By October music fans will be pouring into the newly reopened NX Newcastle (formerly O2 Academy). Top of the tips at the venue for the month are beabadoobie, who presents her critically acclaimed space rock sound, which has been heartily embraced by Gen Z (11th Oct), and local indie artist Andrew Cushin, who has been touted as one of the next big names to come out of the North East (21st Oct).
Image: Beabadoobee by Erika Kamano
Elsewhere in the city, The Wizard himself Jeff Mills rocks up to World Headquarters for what promises to be a ‘must attend’ set of techno wonders (14th Oct); the legendary frontman of The Specials, Neville Staple, celebrates 40 years of the band’s seminal hit Ghost Town at Boiler Shop, with a superb support set from ska punk rockers Buster Shuffle (15th Oct); Keane frontman Tom Chaplin’s recent solo album, Midpoint, has been hailed as a triumphant record of emotionally charged tracks, which you can witness live at Sage Gateshead (13th Oct); and for something a little different, check out Xeno & Oaklander at DIY venue The Lubber Fiend on Blandford Street, where you’ll be energised by minimal electronics and delicious synth wave (20th Oct).
NOVEMBER
As the winter months draw in, the Autumn touring season gets into full swing! Electro trailblazers Chase & Status promise to bring the house down at Digital (4th Nov); get a dose of alt. grime and punk with a social conscience, as Bob Vylan bring their explosive show to Newcastle University Students’ Union (11th Nov); getting their funk on are MF Robots, which features Brand New Heavies founder Jan Kincaid and vocalist Dawn Joseph, at Hoochie Coochie (11th Nov); and, for something entirely different, Sage Gateshead welcome a rare live performance from avant garde composer and experimental legend William Basinski (4th Nov).
Image: James Bay
NX Newcastle continues to welcome some big hitters to their stage this month, namely UK rockers Deaf Havana, who come accompanied by some excellent support acts Lonely The Brave, Sick Joy and Dead Pony (15th Nov); and multi-award winning songwriter and guitarist James Bay will perform his edgy indie rock (23rd Nov).
At O2 City Hall, the seemingly perennially touring Jools Holland brings his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra back to town (23rd Nov); and everybody’s favourite Scottish indie popsters Belle & Sebastian perform tracks from their new album, A Bit of Previous, released in May (24th Nov).
If the thought of excellent beer and great live music floats your boat, look no further than Wylam Brewery, who host a couple of varied shows this month. Alex Paterson and Jimmy Cauty, better known as The Orb, bring their psychedelic electronic sounds to the venue (3rd Nov); while the multi-limbed Afro-funk band Ibibio Sound Machine raise the roof with their joyful electronic vibes (23rd Nov).
The Boiler Shop’s stage will welcome a flurry of interesting performances, including indie pop legends The Lightning Seeds, who will play tracks from their new album released in October (11th Nov); incredible indie rock band Low will play a much hyped live show (17th Nov); and the innovative Showhawk Duo offer up everything from old-school trance to funky house in their inimitable guitar-wielding style (25th Nov).
If a big Arena show is what you’re looking for, you can be guaranteed a blockbusting production as American rapper and producer Kendrick Lamar plays Utilita Arena (4th Nov); also at the venue later in the month, the UK’s biggest-selling album group of the 21st Century, Westlife, play two dates (25th & 26th Nov).
So, whether you’re a punk rocker, indie popper, electro listener or folk lover, there’s something for you on a stage somewhere in Newcastle!
Image: Showhawk Duo
