Newcastle champions next wave of emerging artists as live gigs increase twofold

Newcastle’s commitment and investment in its next generation of artists is transforming the city into one of the UK’s most exciting live music hubs, as it sees a 215% increase in live gigs in a year.

Often overlooked in favour of larger music cities, Newcastle is now undergoing dramatic growth in its grassroots live scene, as new data from GigPig, the UK’s largest live music marketplace, reveals the city has hosted 21,635 gigs since 2022, including 5,033 in 2024, up from 1,598 the year before.

From emerging artists to music venues, the region’s scene is flourishing, driven by new infrastructure, investment and a renewed focus on culture.

At the heart of this change is Newcastle Gateshead Music City, a partnership between Generator and The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, which is spearheading the city’s bid to secure UNESCO City of Music status. 

This would bring national visibility and long-term funding to the North East.

Generator, Newcastle’s leading talent development agency, supports over 750 musicians annually through initiatives and programmes that offer real career pathways for local artists.

“We want artists and music professionals not to feel like London has to be the next step,” said Thomas Bagnall, Head of Programmes for Generator.

“The ceiling on someone’s career regionally isn’t there anymore; they can be an artist, they can tour the world, and still call this place home.

“It’s so important that artists can see that from a grassroots level, that they can stay here, build a career, and make it work.”

That sentiment is echoed across Newcastle’s live scene, as Kieren Hooper, a local musician who’s performed 271 gigs on GigPig, highlighted the strength of the city’s music community.

“We all know each other, and we all help each other. It’s a fantastic network, and I’d love to think other cities are as close-knit as this.

The city’s growth is being underpinned by investment in long-term infrastructure, as Sonic Futures, a £2 million project launched in partnership with Tees Music Alliance, is creating a more inclusive, collaborative and sustainable music ecosystem across the North East.

“A big part of Sonic Futures is to build and create infrastructure that will foster that scene,” said Stephen Allen, Project Manager at Sonic Futures.

“There are far more opportunities for artists to get involved with projects that'll help build their career, their confidence, their skills, or give them funding to help reach their goals, which didn't exist when I was doing this.”

And that investment in the city’s cultural future is being felt at the venue level.

Sam Booth, co-owner of Newcastle’s non-profit, DIY music venue, bar and space for the music community, Lubber Fiend, said: “There’s definitely more going on now than there probably ever has been, more people, more promoters, more bands.

It would always be good to have more, but the growth is real.”

“But, the North East still lacks a little bit of draw. Glasgow, Manchester, and Leeds are usually ahead in the pecking order.

“One of our aims was to help put bands on that wouldn’t otherwise come to Newcastle.”

Newcastle’s resurgence follows a turbulent period, including the collapse of the city’s flagship festival, Hit The North, in 2021 after allegations of sexual misconduct against its organisers. 

But the scene has not only recovered, it’s being reinvented.

This year’s Come Together Festival marks a new chapter, as the city will celebrate both global stars and homegrown talent, regaining national interest in the region’s music scene.

With 733 musicians now gigging locally, a 20% year-on-year increase, the city’s rising support for local talent at the grassroots level is clear.

And 2025 has become a landmark year, after Newcastle hosted the MOBO Awards for the first time, alongside a week-long fringe celebrating North East artists. Later this year, it will also host the Mercury Prize, solidifying its place as a major music destination.

“There are loads of good musicians coming out of Newcastle,” said Kane Teal, frontman of emerging Indie Rock band KITES.

“With the MOBO Awards, that’s probably one of the first times Newcastle has been put in the spotlight on a national level.

“Newcastle’s like a sleeping giant, there’s so much untapped potential, but there isn’t the right amount of recording studios and performance spaces for these artists.”

That’s changing with a new partnership between Generator and Warner Music UK, which will deliver a world-class recording facility designed to retain talent that might otherwise move to London.

But, it’s Newcastle’s seed music venues, pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants that are providing critical stage time for new artists, where Katie O’Brien’s (2,394 gigs) and STACK St James’ Park (2,358) have offered essential stage time for rising talent to hone their craft.

Hooper added, “I’d compare Newcastle now to how Liverpool was when I first went in 2019.

“Every bar had a singer in, and I thought, ‘Imagine if Newcastle was like that,’ and now it is, it’s fantastic.”

While global stars like Sam Fender continue to spotlight Newcastle, the real story in 2025 is what’s happening from the ground up. 

A growing artist economy in a city investing in its own to create a formidable local music scene.

With over 21,000 gigs played, hundreds of artists supported, and millions in funding helping build the foundations, the North East is gaining the national spotlight.