Spring 2026: 15 Big Music Moments in Newcastle
Check out some of the top gigs happening in the Toon this spring
With the nights getting lighter and the temperatures ever-so-slowly creeping up, what better time to get out and enjoy Newcastle’s amazing music scene?
We’re happy to report that a veritable medley of musical genres are represented by the artists coming to Newcastle this spring – from folk and blues to indie, dance and even “witch pop” – so grab your gig-loving pals and get those tickets booked!
March
Newcastle’s March music line-up begins with English indie rockers The Vaccines, who are on tour in celebration of the 15th anniversary of their debut album What Did You Expect from the Vaccines? The tour kicks off at Newcastle’s O2 City Hall with the band set to Blow It Up as they perform the album in full. (3rd March 2026)
Later in the month, O2 City Hall is also welcoming the iconic Madchester band Happy Mondays to the stage. They’re also celebrating a milestone – 35 years of their legendary Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches album – so Step On and get those tickets booked! (13th March 2026)
Things are about to get bluesy over at Exhibition Park as Wylam Brewery regular Samantha Fish makes a welcome return to their stage in early March. The American blues-rocker will be joined on the Newcastle leg of her Paper Doll album tour with British blues trio The Zac Schulze Gang. (5th March 2026)
Get set for a night of nostalgia, nineties kids, because Rhythm of the 90s are taking over Digital this March! Dig out those tracksuits and bucket hats and let the live band transport you back to the best decade ever with faithful renditions of classic 90s dance anthems by the likes of The Prodigy, Faithless and N-Trance. (21st March 2026)
And now for something a little bit different as The Newgate Social welcomes North East neo-folk and witch pop artist Shannon Pearl and her spellbindingly haunting sounds. She’s headlining a night of eclectic local talent at The Gate hotspot with support from K-pop duo Talk Like Tigers and neo-soul sensation Ani Sandwith. (27th March 2026)
April
Heading further into spring, iconic Mancunian band James are heading out on their biggest arena tour yet with a date at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena in April. Fans can expect to hear hits like Sit Down, Laid and Say Something alongside support from very special guests and fellow Manchester band Doves. (10th April 2026)
Gig-goers spoilt for choice the second weekend of April with a trio of amazing events happening on the Saturday. At Utilita Arena, get set for a night of rick ‘n’ roll as 80s legend Rick Astley performs hits like Never Gonne Give You Up and Together Forever on the Newcastle leg of his Reflection tour. (11th April 2026)
Over at NX, indie-pop sensation and Celebrity Traitors star Cat Burns is showcasing her sophomore album How to Be Human, alongside performing fan favourites – so expect to hear new tracks alongside anthems-in-the-making like Go and Know That You’re Not Alone. (11th April 2026)
Or, if you’d like to hear the sounds of a smorgasbord of bands all under one roof, then don’t miss out on The Big Indie Tribute Fest at Digital. With a talented live band covering anthems from Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, Sam Fender and more, it’s a must-do for fans of indie rock! (11th April 2026)
Piano prodigy and all-round legend Tori Amos is embarking on her biggest tour in a decade in support of her upcoming new album In Times of Dragons and, lucky for us, she’s making a stop-off at Newcastle’s O2 City Hall. Weaving together the personal and the political, it’s a work that resonates with today’s climate that her fans will adore. (16th April 2026)
May
The Early May bank holiday weekend is shaping up to be pretty good, kicking off with dance music icons The Prodigy at Utilita Arena. They’ll be joined by fellow dance music legend Carl Cox, who’s opening with a two-hour set on his genre-breaking three-deck vinyl setup from 6pm, before the “electronic punks” takeover, playing tracks from across their seven albums. (2nd May 2026)
The following day Spandau Ballet bassist and former Eastenders star Martin Kemp is back at Wylam Brewery with his ever-popular Ultimate 80s DJ Party. It’s time to dust off those leg warmers, shoulder pads and ra-ra skirts as Martin spins all his favourite 80s classic… and we’ll eat our hats if he doesn’t play True at least once! (3rd May 2026)
Get ready for the love to kickstart again when Example stops by NX on his Hits and Bits tour this May. With a laser FX show and a set list that includes every single one of his biggest hits, the DJ, producer and singer promises that “things are about to get very ravey!” (13th May 2026)
Catch The Longest Johns, the British folk band that kick-started the viral Shanty-Tok trend, at the Boiler Shop this May. Unleash your inner salty sea dog with a night of sea shanties and work songs, plus new material from their latest album Pieces of Eight – arrr, me hearties! (15th May 2026)
Soulful singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne is rounding out the spring music season in Newcastle with a show at O2 City Hall, part of a tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of his debut studio album Trouble. All the Wild Horses couldn’t keep us from booking tickets! (28th May 2026)
Big name American artists like Tori Amos and Ray LaMontagne, iconic British bands like Happy Mondays and James, and local talent like Shannon Pearl – music fans certainly won’t get bored in Newcastle this spring with a line-up like that!
Main Image: Cat Burns, Courtesy of NX
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