Music Venues

Music can bring a lot of pleasure, whether you listen to it at home, attend concerts, sing, or play a musical instrument yourself.  There are many music venues in and around Newcastle, playing host to a wide variety of musical performers. We have listed some of these venues here. If you want to get involved and sing or play an instrument yourself, we also have information on some of the organisations that can help you.


Bridge Folk Club

The Bridge Folk Club, meet and listen to a range of live folk singers from traditional to contemporary. They enjoy songs from Sweden, Germany, Spain, Japan, Australia, North America, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Everyone who comes along is encouraged, but never forced, to participate whether it be a song, poem, monologue, or just join in the choruses. The group runs every Monday night at 8pm at the Bridge Hotel pub, in Castle Square.


The Cluny

The Cluny is a popular bar in the Ouseburn area of Newcastle, and is also a live music venue for many top names as well as the less well-known.


Jazz Cafe

The Jazz Cafe is currently open every night from 8pm until late; offering a variety of live jazz, swing, salsa, and disco.


Utilita (formerly Metro Radio) Arena

The Metro Radio Arena is the largest concert and exhibition venue in the North East of England, with capacity to seat more than 11,000 people. As well as music, the arena is host to major basketball games, ice shows and exhibitions.

The venue is wheelchair accessible. Concessions for older people may be available for some performances.


O2 City Hall Newcastle

Newcastle City Hall hosts performances by some of the most famous names in music and comedy, covering every genre from rock to musicals. Local choirs and orchestras also hold annual concerts there.

The venue can seat up to 2,000 people but is not yet fully accessible for wheelchair users, although there are some facilities available. Contact the City Hall directly for further information. Concessions for older people may be available for some performances.


Newcastle Royal Grammar School – Performing Arts Centre

There is a range of productions for all age groups throughout the school year, and the strong links between the music and drama departments have resulted in some exciting collaborative projects such as Guys and Dolls. Music concerts include piano recitals, jazz concerts, choir concerts and orchestras.

The RGS Theatre is used by many outside organisations who hire the venue for their concerts or shows. The theatre is a fully accessible venue and there is a free car park. It is adjacent to Jesmond Metro Station and Jesmond Parish Church. The licensed bar is open before and during the interval of most events.

If you would like to receive details of, or book tickets for, the large number of Arts events taking place at the school each term, contact them using the details above.


Newcastle University – King’s Hall

The International Centre for Music Studies organises Live in the King’s Hall, a series of free concerts for staff, students and members of the public. The free concerts are made possible largely due to contributions made by members of the audience. To help to support this, you could become a Friend of King’s Hall. For more information, or to see the programme of events, contact the Concert Secretary using the above details.


NX Newcastle (formerly O2 Academy Newcastle)

The NX Newcastle is an independent music and club venue that has had major refurbishment work carried out.


The Glasshouse International Centre for Music

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music is primarily a live music venue which has a local, national and international concert programme. It includes all genres of music including acoustic, indie, country, folk, jazz, world, electronic and classical.

Concessions for older people are available for some performances.

The Sage Gateshead also runs a Silver Programme to encourage people aged 50 years old and over to participate in music based activity. For more information about this, see our section on Lifelong learning.


The Globe

The Globe is a bar and music venue – community owned.


Useful information

You may also find it useful to subscribe to The Crack magazine and  NARC magazine, both of which cover music, arts and film and smaller venues.

Last updated: November 29, 2023