- Play Hard
- 16th Jan 2026
- 0
- 0 minute
How to support our local creatives this January
January is quiet, grey and traditionally slow – which makes it the perfect month to do something wildly generous: turn up.
Local musicians, comedians, artists and venues need our footsteps, attention and small purchases right now, and the North East is packed with clever, cosy, wallet-friendly ways to show support.
Here’s a friendly edit of simple, practical ways to help the creative scene thrive – and a few real events to get you started.
Go to a gig (even a small one)
Big arena tours grab headlines, but the heartbeat of the region is in intimate rooms: the Cluny’s January lineup has some proper nights for discovering new bands and catching community charity shows – the kind of gigs where your ticket really counts. Their charity gig for St Oswalds Hospice happening on Sunday 18th January 2026 features some class musicians and is definitely not one to miss. Pick a band you’ve never heard of, buy a pint and cheer them on – local acts notice and venues survive on nights like these.
Comedy nights are the same story. The Stand in Newcastle keeps a rolling programme of both headline acts and up-and-comers through January: a low-cost ticket is a direct lifeline to performers who otherwise dry up after the festive season. Even midweek audiences make a huge difference. Try out their legendary ‘Red Raw’ new comedy night on a Wednesday night, you might just discover your new favourite local comedian.
Standout local gigs to attend in January
Buy early, buy direct
When you go to a show, bring cash or buy merch at the door. Bands and small theatres make a chunk of their income from tees, vinyl and programmes – and that money goes straight back in to help support their craft. If you can’t make an event, buying a ticket now and gifting it to a mate later still helps promoters cover costs and keeps a line of work open for creatives.
Join a workshop or talk
January’s slow pace is perfect for learning: Helix Arts and other local producers run free or low-cost workshops for artists makers – from marketing clinics to hands-on sessions – that nurture the next wave of creatives. These programmes are often free or subsidised, but they only exist if people use them. Book a place, spread the word, or suggest them to a creative you know.
Visit galleries, buy a print or commission a piece
Gallery footfall drops after Christmas, yet galleries are campaigning spaces for artists. Slot in a mid-month visit, buy a small print or commission a local illustrator for a personal piece – it’s an affordable way to keep artists working. Many galleries also sell membership passes or small gift items that support programming throughout the year.
Volunteer, share and RSVP
If tickets are tight, the next best thing is to help. Venues love volunteers for door, bar or front-of-house roles; you’ll get free shows and make the place more viable. Follow local venues and artists on social, set your events to ‘going’ and share them with friends – algorithms are shy, but your thumbs aren’t. Small actions multiply.
Make a point of supporting venues direct
Tyne Theatre & Opera House and other regional venues post special January programming – matinees, family projects and themed nights that are brilliant value. Booking direct through venue websites keeps more of the money in the community; plus, you get first dibs on local shows and special offers.
Family-friendly and wellbeing events to try this January
Not everything needs to be late-night. Community well-being and arts events – like the Newcastle Wellbeing Expo at the end of the month – spotlight local practitioners and small creative businesses who rely on these quieter calendar slots to connect with audiences. Pop in, try a class, buy a product or just ask the exhibitor about their practice – it all helps.
Go to a poetry night, a community gig, an indie film screening or a craft fair. Take a friend who’s not into the scene yet and introduce them to a local artist. If you love something, leave a thoughtful review, tip in the merch jar, or buy a small piece of work. These gestures are fuel for the creatives who make our towns interesting.
The North East’s creative scene is resourceful, warm and stubbornly brilliant – if we show up in January, we’ll help make sure it’s still here when spring arrives.
Subscribe
Subscribe now to receive our twice-weekly emails and exclusive offers for High Life North readers.