- Play Hard
- 24th Jun 2026
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The best gigs and music events to book this summer in Newcastle and Gateshead – and how to make a weekend of it
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Summer 2026 has landed, and Newcastle and Gateshead are absolutely buzzing.
From soul legends at The Glasshouse to indie heroes taking over Exhibition Park, surprise gigs in Byker and a Pride weekend that gets bigger every year – this summer’s music calendar is one for the books.
Book your tickets, pack your overnight bag, and get ready: here’s everything you need to know, including where to eat and where to lay your head after the encore.
Tinie Tempah – The Grove, Byker
Friday 26th June
If you’re still sleeping on The Grove, this is your wake-up call. This Byker gem is one of Newcastle’s most exciting live music venues – a multi-use outdoor event space with big summer energy – and Tinie Tempah headlining here as part of the Everywhere at Once festival is exactly the kind of unexpected booking that makes it so special. Pass Out under the open sky? Yes please.
Make a weekend of it:
Stay: Grey Street Hotel. A boutique hotel on one of the most handsome streets in the country. Central enough to walk everywhere, stylish enough to feel like a treat.
Pre-gig fuel: The Grove has its own bar and kitchen, open from midday at weekends – grab some food and soak up the atmosphere before the show. Or head down early to explore Ouseburn: Gingerino’s Kitchen does brilliant pizza by the slice.
In The Park Presents: Lewis Capaldi – Exhibition Park, Newcastle
Wednesday 8th – Thursday 9th July
He’s back. Lewis Capaldi returns to Newcastle this summer for two nights at Exhibition Park, and if you know, you know – this man and this city have a very special relationship. With support from Jacob Alon, Heidi Curtis, Maximo Park and Leazes, it’s a proper full evening of live music in one of Newcastle’s most beautiful settings. Bring a blanket, bring your mates and prepare to sing until your voice gives up.
Make a weekend of it:
Stay: Crowne Plaza Newcastle. Just minutes from the city centre and perfectly located for exploring before and after the show. Comfortable, reliable and great value for a summer night.
Pre-show drinks: Alvino’s Bar is a Newcastle institution – three floors, two bars, an outdoor terrace and the perfect place to get the evening started.
The Maccabees – O2 City Hall Newcastle
Tuesday 7th July
One of the most beloved indie bands of their generation, back together and heading to Newcastle’s O2 City Hall with support from Chartreuse. The Maccabees make music that feels like summer – warm, melodic, nostalgic in the best possible way. If you were a fan of Colour It In or Given to the Wild back in the day, this one’s going to hit very differently.
Make a weekend of it:
Stay: INNSiDE by Meliá. Right on the Quayside with gorgeous river views, a fun cocktail lounge and a Newcastle-themed suite if you want to fully commit to the experience.
Next day: Take the metro to the coast – Tynemouth is just 20 minutes away, and the priory, the market and the beaches will absolutely not disappoint.
Newcastle Pride Arena – Times Square, Newcastle
Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July
Newcastle Pride is back and it’s bigger and better than ever. After 17 incredible years with Northern Pride, the festival steps into a bold new chapter as Curious Futures – and the 2026 lineup is stacked. Nadine Coyle, Katy B, Bimini and Danny Beard are all confirmed for the Pride Arena at Times Square, while the wider festival weekend includes a parade, the Market Village, the Curious Arts Stage at Northern Stage and more. This is Newcastle Pride’s year.
Make a weekend of it:
Stay: Malmaison Newcastle. Moody, luxurious and right in the heart of the Quayside action. The interiors are dramatic, the staff are brilliant, and you’re perfectly placed for the weekend’s festivities.
Saturday night pre-party: Newcastle will be absolutely buzzing – dive into one of the many LGBTQ+ venues around the city and let the night take you.
Don’t miss: The Newcastle Pride March on Saturday morning – one of the most joyful things you can do in this city, full stop.
BBC Proms in the North East – The Glasshouse, Gateshead
Thursday 23rd – Saturday 25th July
The BBC Proms are coming to the North East again, and The Glasshouse is the beating heart of a truly extraordinary weekend. Thursday night brings The Unthanks and friends with the Royal Northern Sinfonia – featuring the brilliant Nadine Shah, Jess Gillam, English Teacher and more – while Friday night is the BBC Introducing showcase, giving a platform to some of the region’s most exciting emerging talent. Classical, folk, contemporary – this weekend has it all, and it’s one of the proudest moments for music in our region.
Make a weekend of it:
Stay: Hilton Newcastle Gateshead. The rooms are beautiful and the panoramic bar with views across the River Tyne is always a good idea.
Dinner on the Quayside: Head across the river to Khai Khai – a culinary experience not to miss, considered one of the best restaurants in Newcastle.
In The Park Presents: Wolf Alice – Exhibition Park, Newcastle
Sunday 12th July
Wolf Alice are one of the greatest guitar bands Britain has ever produced, and they’re headlining In The Park’s Sunday show at Exhibition Park this summer with special guests KEO and Cliffords. If you’ve never seen them live, this is absolutely the summer to fix that. Expect euphoria, guitar heroics and a crowd that knows every single word. Don’t miss this one.
Make a weekend of it:
Stay: Hotel Gotham. This quirky five-star hotel commands a brilliant location right in the heart of the city centre. Everything you need, nothing you don’t.
Pre-drink: Warm up at Newcastle’s newest opening, Freight Island. With a DJ, food vendors, outdoor terrace and selection of bars – it’s the perfect place to get a buzz before walking to Exhibition Park.
The Courettes – The Cluny, Ouseburn
Sunday 9th August
If you’ve never heard of The Courettes, prepare to have a new favourite band. The explosive Wall of Sound duo – Flavia Couri on vocals and guitar and Martin on loud drums – hail from Denmark and Brazil and make music that sounds like The Ronettes crashing a wild party with The Ramones at Hitsville echo chamber. Their new album The Soul of The Fabulous Courettes is out on legendary Damaged Goods Records, and this Cluny date is your chance to see them. Tickets are just £15. Do not sleep on this one.
Make a weekend of it:
Stay: Motel One Newcastle: Great value, brilliant central location and a lobby that’s perfect for a pre-gig drink. Everything you need, right in the heart of the city.
Pre-gig: The Cluny’s outdoor artea is one of the great summer spots in Newcastle – grab a pint, soak up the Ouseburn atmosphere and let the weekend do its thing.
Captain Fantastic & The Rocket Man Band – The Glasshouse, Gateshead
Wednesday 23rd September
The greatest Elton John show on the planet lands at Sage One this September, and if you’re looking for a reason to extend your summer just a little bit longer – this is it. Captain Fantastic & The Rocket Man Band have been wowing audiences across the world with their extraordinary recreation of Elton’s legendary catalogue, and The Glasshouse is one of the finest rooms in the country to experience it. From Crocodile Rock to Rocket Man, expect big voices, bigger piano and an audience on its feet from start to finish. Tickets from £44.20.
Make a weekend of it:
Stay: Jesmond Dene House. A beautiful hotel surrounded by the expansive Jesmond Dene – ideal for a morning stroll and coffee run the next morning.
Pre-show dinner: Head to Dobson & Parnell on the Quayside – newly refurbished and set within a beautifully restored Victorian warehouse, it’s modern British dining at its very best. Book ahead.
A few more things worth having in your diary…
Folkworks Summer Sessions – The Glasshouse (5th–7th August): Three days of folk music, workshops and community at The Glasshouse. Open to singers and instrumentalists of all levels, with an optional performance showcase at Saltburn Folk Festival. One of the most joyful long weekends you can have.
The Ouseburn Festival (4th–5th July): The Cluny hosts a free stage across the whole festival weekend (look out for The Bubble Project, The Steve Hensby Band and more), with the whole neighbourhood coming alive with music, art, food and beer. It’s free, it’s brilliant and it’s very much one of the highlights of the Newcastle summer.
Action Bronson – O2 City Hall Newcastle (Saturday 4th July): The cult New York rapper-chef-television host brings his singular energy to City Hall. An experience unlike anything else on this list.
Alkaline Trio – O2 City Hall Newcastle (Sunday 5th July): The Chicago punk legends finally return to Newcastle. If you were a fan in the early 2000s, this is going to feel very, very good.
Jack White – O2 City Hall Newcastle (Saturday 29th August): One of the greatest guitar players alive, live in Newcastle as summer draws to a close. The perfect full stop on the season.
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