As an Official Partner of the 2026 Mercury Prize, Freight Island hosts a Mercury Prize edition of Playing Out, giving emerging talent the chance to perform alongside more established names and reach new audiences. Expect live sets and artist conversations spotlighting the artists shaping music in the North right now. Headlining: Hannah Robinson
Fenwick is proud to partner with the Mercury Prize, bringing the excitement to Newcastle with the Fenwick Fan Zone - created for fellow music obsessives. Set within The Tavern at Fenwick, this Live Lounge-style event invites you to discover the shortlisted albums in a new light, connect with other fans, and enjoy live performances that capture the spirit of Mercury week. Six artists from the North East will be selected through an open call run by Generator, the North’s leading music development agency. Each will perform their own original music alongside an acoustic cover from one of this year’s Mercury Prize-shortlisted albums. Settle in for an afternoon of music, atmosphere and conversation as the city builds towards the biggest night in the UK music calendar. Follow Fenwick on Instagram for more info.
Byker Grave Presents Kylver: The four piece instrumental progressive rock/metal band merge slow and heavy doom riffs, odd time signatures, atmospherics of post-rock and Hammond tones of the 70’s with a classic rock and metal sound. Support comes from Scottish psych/occult rockers Lucid Sins and moonshine rock n roll duo Johnny D and The Space Cadets Lineup: Kylver – Lucid Sins - Johnny D and The Space Cadets
A full day of conference panels, conversations and behind-the-scenes insights from artists and industry leaders shaping what’s next. Featuring brilliant speakers, special guests and plenty of chances to connect. Whether you're making music, building a career or just getting started, this is where you need to be.
The Globe’s showcase celebrates musical diversity in Newcastle, spotlighting the kind of emerging artists the venue exists to support. Headlined by Sophie Gordon Band’s disco, funk and pop, the lineup also features RYE’s electronic influences, the art student sounds of The Combovers and the folk- punk songwriting of Jade Mia Broadhead. The event closes with a DJ set from Visra. Lineup: Sophie Gordon Band – RYE – The Combovers – Jade Mia Broadhead – DJ Visra
