JADE and Knats confirmed to perform at the 2026 Mercury Prize event in Newcastle
South Shields star JADE and Newcastle jazz outfit Knats will both perform live when the Mercury Prize returns to the North East later this month.
The two homegrown nominees are among 10 acts confirmed to take to the stage at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on Thursday, October 22, for the 2026 Mercury Prize Awards Show.
They will be joined by Dove Ellis, Florence + The Machine, Kojey Radical, Nia Archives, Olivia Dean, RAYE and Suede, while Pulp will perform on behalf of War Child Records’ HELP(2) album.
Each will perform a track from their shortlisted Album of the Year, with JADE representing THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY! and Knats playing from A Great Day In Newcastle. Read more
Green light for first Crown Works film studios
The first phase of Sunderland’s Crown Works film studios has been granted planning permission.
Studio One will include three sound stages, production accommodation and backlot space, alongside the refurbishment of the former WH Foster Printworks building.
Preparatory and remediation work has already been completed on the riverside site, with further enabling works required before construction can begin.
More than £38m of public funding from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority is backing the development.
Graffiti artist dreams up the celebrity gossip we never knew we needed
Forget the tabloids. West Denton is currently breaking the celebrity stories that really matter.
If a graffiti artist in the Newcastle suburb is to be believed…
Rita Ora has the Lidl Plus app;
Lorraine Kelly steals Wetherspoons cutlery;
Danny Dyer vapes Parma Violet flavour; and
Annie Lennox gets a boiled egg in her meal deal
And those are some of the more family-friendly revelations being sprayed around the neighbourhood, including its underpasses.
I spent a fair amount of my youth walking through those subways en route to Denton Park swimming baths and can’t help feeling I missed out.
Imagine the 1980s possibilities: Adam Ant hogs the pick ’n’ mix. Timmy Mallett cheats at KerPlunk. The cast of Tiswas share one teabag.
The Sound of North Shields
A charity fundraiser on North Shields Fish Quay found itself at the centre of a global music story last week when The 1975 frontman Matty Healy dropped in by video – and delivered an unexpected update on the band’s new album.
Matty appeared alongside his dad, actor Tim Healy, during a sold-out show at Salt Market Social featuring tribute band The 9075 who had booked the gig as a fundraiser for charity Sunday for Sammy - of which Tim is chair and Matty is patron.
During the video appearance, he revealed that work on The 1975’s much-anticipated new album was almost complete, with the update making headlines around the world within hours.
It was an unexpected moment in a night which had already brought together an impressive collection of North East performers to raise money for the longstanding charity, which supports emerging creative talent across the region.
Newcastle crafters spin a sweet fairytale for the stage
Bake Off, Lady Gaga and Hansel & Gretel might seem unlikely bedfellows – but all three have come together in the hands of a group of Newcastle crafters.
The 14 members of Knitters, Movers and Shakers have worked with celebrated designer Nasir Mazhar, who has made hats for Lady Gaga, to create a confection-covered dress for balletLORENT’s new production of Hansel & Gretel and the Witch.
The group, aged between 56 and 87, used more than 300 balls of wool to help Mazhar conquer the gourmet gown, which will be worn by dancer Berta Admetlla as the Witch when the show premieres at Northern Stage on October 29.
The Cluny prepares for major transformation
Work on a major accessibility and sustainability upgrade at The Cluny is expected to begin in January after Savills was appointed to manage the project.
The Ouseburn venue previously secured £334,000 from the Government’s Arts Everywhere Fund for improvements across both of its performance spaces.
Savills’ architecture and building surveying team in Newcastle won the contract and will design and oversee work expected to last 13 to 14 months.
Improvements will focus on accessibility, operational efficiency and environmental performance, as well as making better use of existing space and supporting increased capacity.
Bag a slice of the action as Berwick honours landmark
Artists, musicians and bakers are among those helping to mark two anniversaries relating to Berwick’s maritime heritage over two October weekends.
They are the 200th anniversary of Berwick Lighthouse, under the heading Lighthouse 200, and the 150th anniversary of the Port of Berwick.
The Maltings arts centre and Berwick Harbour Commission joined with other local organisations and community partners to draw up a commemorative programme of public events.
North East sound artist Ed Carter was commissioned to create In The Lighthouse, a sound and light installation inspired by the human stories behind the distinctive structure.
In particular it will remember Robina Burgon who, in the 1920s, twice stepped up when her father Alexander fell ill, thus becoming the first female lighthouse keeper in Berwick and possibly the country.
Four in the frame for Gateshead production company
North East talent is well represented in this year’s Broadcast Sport Awards, with Gateshead-based Film Nova picking up four nominations.
The company is shortlisted for Sports Production Company of the Year, while its coverage of the 2026 Women’s FA Cup Final for Channel 4 is up for Sports Production of the Year and its opening film is nominated for Short-Form Content of the Year.
Torvill & Dean: The Last Dance, made with Phil McIntyre Television for ITV, is also shortlisted for Sports Documentary of the Year (under 60 mins).
Meanwhile Poised, a documentary directed by Toby Robson and produced by Two Yanks and a Brit is up for Sports Documentary of the Year (over 60 mins). The film follows Sunderland’s Steven France, who channelled his own experiences of trauma into helping young people in the city find positive paths.
In other news, Newcastle United and England great Alan Shearer is nominated for Best Pundit. Winners announced on November 5. Fingers crossed for celebratory fireworks.
Wedding crossing remembered in verse
In 1848 a couple crossed the Tyne by ferry to marry.
Now their great grandson has created a tribute poem and film to them for display on board the present-day service.
Noel Connor, an award-winning artist and writer, originally from Belfast, penned the poem in memory of Ellen Hannah and Thomas Connor, who were married in North Tyneside on October 16, 1848.
His poem, Crossings, has been showcased on board the Shields Ferry to mark National Poetry Day on October 1. It will also feature in an exhibition at the Globe Gallery in North Shields.
Ouseburn raises a glass to Oktoberfest
Ouseburn’s independent breweries, food businesses and makers are coming together for a free Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, October 10.
Running from noon to 6pm at the Ouseburn Trust’s 51 Lime Street home, the event will feature beers from local breweries including Donzoko and Brinkburn.
Rounton Coffee, Newcastle Cocktail Kitchen, Jam Jar, Stottie NCL and Made of Crumbs are among the food and drink traders taking part, alongside a line-up of local artists and makers. Entry is free and no tickets are required.
Chloe and Liam charity show makes Fire Station debut
The annual variety show raising money in memory of Chloe Rutherford and Liam Curry will take to The Fire Station stage in Sunderland for the first time this weekend.
The eighth Chloe & Liam Together Forever Trust Variety Show will bring together young performers and established professionals for an evening of dance, music and acrobatics on Sunday, October 4.
Among those appearing will be dancer and stunt performer Jazz Peters, whose credits include Aladdin, Cats and Beauty and the Beast, as well as performances alongside 50 Cent and Dua Lipa.
Davey Hopper, who has previously performed as Pumbaa in Disneyland Paris’ stage production of The Lion King as well as being a favourite fixture for many years in The Customs House’s pantomime, will compere the show.
They will be joined by young performers who have received bursaries from the Trust, with some appearing on a stage of this size for the first time.
The charity was established in 2017 by the families of Chloe, 17, and Liam, 19, who were killed in the Manchester Arena bombing on May 22 that year. Read more
Newcastle talk digs into Auckland Palace discoveries
Eight years of archaeological discoveries at Auckland Palace will be explored at Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre and Opera House next month.
Dr John Castling, Archaeology Curator at The Auckland Project, will reveal what excavations have uncovered about the historic home of Durham’s Prince Bishops during a lunchtime talk on November 13.
Since 2018, more than 1,000 volunteers, students and aspiring archaeologists have helped uncover palace walls, towers and gatehouses.
Finds include the remains of a vast two-storey chapel built around 1300 and thousands of objects offering glimpses of life at the palace.
Tickets for the 1pm talk are £7 and available from the website.
Barter Books boss Mary’s heartfelt gesture
Home is where the heart is, they say – and that will certainly be true for the people of Charleston, Missouri, now that adopted Northumbrian Mary Manley has had her say.
In a notable act of philanthropy, born of wanting to give something back to the place where she grew up, Mary decided to donate $500,000 to commission a landmark sculpture for the town.
A group of its citizens agreed it might prompt people to spend some time, and maybe some money, in Charleston, thereby helping to boost its flagging fortunes.
With the aid of public art consultant Matthew Jarratt, who is based in the North East, the Charleston Landmark Project was born.
Proposals were invited and a shortlist of six was drawn up for the public and Mary to peruse at an exhibition in Charleston back in the spring.
Now, taking the public response into consideration, she has made her decision.
Keelmen’s Hospital wins national recognition
Work on restoring a prominent Tyneside heritage building has been named as one of an architectural charity’s standout projects for this year.
The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is marking its 50th anniversary by choosing what it judges to be the best UK projects which illustrate heritage-led regeneration.
Among its choices is the Grade II* listed Keelmen’s Hospital, which overlooks the Tyne in Newcastle which was identified as one of the city’s most at-risk historic buildings, having lain empty for the last 16 years.
Work started in the spring on returning the building to its original role as homes to the design of Newcastle-based JDDK Architects. The conversion will result in 20 affordable units. Read more
Newcastle Poetry Festival’s back - in Gateshead
Newcastle Poetry Festival returns this weekend and that’s good news for poetry lovers who feared they might have seen the last of it.
The festival didn’t happen last year due to a funding hiatus but it’s back with a busy two-day programme of readings, discussions and mentoring sessions.
This time, though, the action has crossed the river to Gateshead.
It’s all happening at St Mary’s by the Tyne, as the former St Mary’s Heritage Centre has been called since a public vote instigated earlier this year by Tyne & Wear Building Preservation Trust, which signed a 99-year lease on the former church in 2024. Read more
Students give second-hand fashion a new look
Fashion students from The Northern College of Art have transformed donated clothing for a runway show supporting Teesside Hospice.
The show, staged at the charity’s superstore, marked the end of its Second Hand September campaign, which encourages people to choose pre-loved clothing rather than buying new.
Every garment featured had been donated by the local community and redesigned by fashion diploma students. Proceeds from ticket and clothing sales will support the hospice’s care.
Woodhorn to mark 20 years with half-term celebrations
Woodhorn Museum is marking the 20th anniversary of its landmark redevelopment with a programme of events during the October half-term.
The Ashington museum turns 20 on Wednesday, October 28, with celebrations including a spectacular walk-in sculpture from Architects of Air and the reopening of historic colliery buildings following major restoration work.
Luminarium Arborialis will be at the heart of the programme from October 24 to 29, inviting visitors to explore a labyrinth of light and colour inspired by nature. Read more
Tyneside treasures under the spotlight
The tale of a North East airman who, more than 60 years later, returned to the place where his bomber was shot down was among the remarkable stories to emerge from the Antiques Roadshow visit to South Tyneside.
Museum gains national accreditation
Hopetown Darlington has been awarded full Museum Accreditation, the UK industry standard for museums and galleries.
The recognition follows a detailed assessment and confirms the railway heritage attraction meets nationally agreed standards for management, collections and public engagement.
Hopetown opened in July 2024 and has since welcomed more than 410,000 visitors, while caring for a collection of more than 30,000 objects and records.
Accreditation also opens up funding opportunities and allows Hopetown to host touring exhibitions. Read more
Howaymanay returns to Newcastle Quayside
Newcastle’s Quayside will again host a major New Year’s Eve celebration as Howaymanay returns for a second year.
Following last year’s sell-out debut, the ticketed event will run from 8.30pm until 12.15am on December 31, with two stages of live music, roaming performers, street entertainment, food and drink, followed by fireworks at midnight.
A separate free family fireworks display will take place at 6pm. Tickets are now on sale for the main event, which is open to ages eight and over.
Putting Redhills back to work
The £14m restoration of one of the North East’s most important mining heritage buildings is complete – and attention is now turning to its future.
More than 15,000 people have visited Redhills Miners Hall in Durham since it reopened as a centre for culture, education, events and community activity.
Now the Grade II* listed former headquarters of the Durham Miners Association (DMA) is inviting community groups and organisations to have their say on what comes next. Read more
Tyne River Trust strengthened for challenges ahead
A £249,579 grant will strengthen an environmental charity’s mission to protect and restore rivers across the Tyne catchment.
The backing from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will support The Tyne Rivers Trust – Foundations for the Future, an 18-month programme focused on building the people, systems and organisational infrastructure needed to increase the body’s long-term impact. Read more