Sam Fender's Newcastle shows sell out… but is there room for one more?
Sam Fender has added three dates to his Proper Massive stadium tour following huge demand for tickets, which saw his Newcastle pre-sale disrupted by a suspected bot attack.
Fans attempting to secure tickets for his June 3 and 5 homecoming shows at St James’ Park were left frustrated when ticketing website Gigantic reported unusually high levels of suspicious activity.
The pre-sale was postponed by 24 hours, with the North Shields singer telling fans the move was necessary “to ensure real fans get the tickets”.
The ticketing problems followed Sam’s decision to withdraw a ticket category because he was unhappy with the prices being charged to fans.
Both Newcastle dates have since sold out, leaving fans hoping he will announce a third show on June 4, matching his three-night residency at the home of Newcastle United in 2025.
Meanwhile, three additional dates have been confirmed elsewhere on the tour: June 12 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, July 10 at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium and September 2 at London’s Wembley Stadium.
A landmark moment for the Northumberland landscape
Two years of tenacious fundraising have paid off with the announcement that the purchase of a historic Northumberland estate has been achieved for nature and the nation.
The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust have confirmed the acquisition of the entire 9,500-acre Rothbury Estate following their biggest-ever fundraising campaign.
The £30m appeal attracted the backing of Sir David Attenborough, more than 25,000 supporters, charitable foundations and the Government.
To secure the purchase, the charities have taken out a low-interest loan to bridge the short-term gap between pledged money still to be received and the fundraising target.
Sir David, president emeritus of The Wildlife Trusts, welcomed the success of the appeal.
BBC Radio 6 Music Festival heads back to Newcastle
They’ve barely finished sweeping up the confetti from last week’s Mercury Prize ceremony, but Newcastle already has another major music event to look forward to.
BBC Radio 6 Music has announced that its flagship festival will return to the city next spring, 12 years after Newcastle and Gateshead hosted a memorable weekend of live performances, conversation and musical discoveries.
The 6 Music Festival will take place from Monday, March 15 to Friday, March 19, 2027, with five days of gigs and DJ sets across Newcastle’s independent and grassroots venues.
The festival, which has spent the past three years in Greater Manchester, will feature established acts alongside emerging artists, with a dedicated night in collaboration with BBC Introducing.
The full line-up and participating venues will be revealed in 2027. Read more
Turner Prize draws 13,000 visitors to Middlesbrough in first month
The Turner Prize is putting Middlesbrough firmly on the cultural map, with its arrival at MIMA (Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art) attracting international attention and introducing thousands of children to some of the most talked-about contemporary art in Britain.
A month after the exhibition opened, organisers have revealed that around 13,000 people have passed through the doors of the gallery, which is part of Teesside University.
Visitors from as far afield as Helsinki and New Delhi have been among them alongside those from across Tees Valley, the wider North East and UK.
This year’s shortlist features artists Simeon Barclay, Marguerite Humeau, Kira Freije and Tanoa Sasraku, whose work is being exhibited as part of the first Turner Prize to be hosted by a university.
But alongside the visitor numbers and critical acclaim, organisers are highlighting the opportunities being created for young people across the Tees Valley. Read more
Newcastle College students make their mark on the Mercury Prize
While the stars of British music were taking centre stage at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena for last week’s Mercury Prize ceremony, students from Newcastle College were busy making their own contributions behind the scenes.
From creating bespoke gifts for shortlisted artists and VIPs to preparing food for the awards dinner and welcoming guests, students from across the college put their skills to work at the high-profile event.
The Mandela Collective, Newcastle College’s in-house agency for Art, Design and Digital Art degree students, worked with Creative Heritage Studios CIC to produce commemorative pin badges for the occasion.
National Glass Centre listing bid rejected as equipment goes up for auction
The future of Sunderland’s National Glass Centre has taken another turn, with a bid to secure listed status for the building rejected and almost 200 pieces of equipment being put up for auction.
The government ruled that the landmark venue, which closed in July, lacked sufficient architectural or historical interest to warrant listing.
Historic England described the building as “visually bold” but said alterations made in 2013 and 2022 had undermined its original design.
The Save the National Glass Centre campaign group has pledged to make further representations, while the University of Sunderland, which plans to demolish the building, has applied for immunity from future listing.
Meanwhile, glass kilns, furnaces and other equipment are being sold through an online auction running until November 12.
The university said some specialist equipment would be donated to Sunderland Culture for its planned Glassworks Sunderland project and interim glassmaking facilities.
The centre, which opened in 1998, closed after the university estimated that repairs would cost between £14m and £45m – figures disputed by campaigners.
Sunderland City Council is also pursuing planning measures that would require the university to seek permission before demolishing the building.
Northumberland reveals culture ambitions for decade
When the Government announced its inaugural UK Town of Culture (2028) shortlist in July, no Northumberland town was included.
To be fair, only Stockton, among 20 North East applicants, did make the cut.
But nobody should be fooled into thinking Northumberland is a cultural desert. Far from it.
No fewer than eight of those North East applications came from England’s northernmost county whose ancient charms include Hadrian’s Wall, Holy Island, castles, dark skies and a stunning coast.
Add newer attractions such as museums, galleries, bustling arts centres and festivals and you have a rich cultural mix.
And there are many reasons to believe it isn’t only Northumbrians who consider the county special.
Scary Tyneside takeover due in anniversary year
A timely Halloween announcement for thrill seekers of the scary kind is that FrightFest is coming to Newcastle next year.
The festival of screen horror, fantasy and sci-fi has formed a new partnership with the Tyneside Cinema for a two-day film event on May 1 and 2, 2027.
The venture is one of the attractions lined up for the 90th anniversary celebrations of the much-loved former newsreel cinema on Pilgrim Street.
FrightFest, sponsored by Tubi, will take over the Tyneside for what the organisers are calling “a blood-soaked weekend of exclusive film premieres and special guest appearances”. Read more
Sell-out start to new chapter for Hexham Book Festival
Hexham Book Festival is celebrating a promising start under the stewardship of Queen’s Hall Arts, with two events featuring Si King and Alexei Sayle selling out.
The pair will appear at Queen’s Hall Arts Centre on Tuesday, November 3, marking the first festival events since the organisation took over earlier this year.
Hairy Biker Si King will discuss his first solo book, Welcome Home, while comedian and author Alexei Sayle will share stories from How I’ve Tried to Change the World.
The handover follows the festival’s 20th anniversary and the departure of founders Susie Troup and Gil Pugh.
Katy Taylor, artistic director and chief executive of Queen’s Hall Arts, said: “We’re proud to be taking the festival forward, building on the extraordinary legacy created by Susie and Gil, and ensuring it continues to thrive for years to come.”
Hexham Book Festival returns from April 23 to May 2, 2027.
Resist, resolve, remember
A three-day event will highlight the lives and achievements of almost 90 women, many of whom have been forgotten or little recorded by history.
An exhibition titled Celebrating Women’s Lives Through the Years will be staged from today (October 30) to Sunday at Redhills Miners’ Hall in Durham.
It is part of a three-day programme of events called Resist and Resolve, staged by the National Women’s Action for Positive Change, which emerged from activities in Durham two years ago to mark the 40th anniversary of the miners’ strike.
End of an era for Middlesbrough Empire
Middlesbrough Empire is closing after 33 years following a change in ownership.
The venue will shut on November 17, with the current owners, management and staff confirming they will not be involved in its future.
A statement described the closure as “the end of a very special era” and thanked everyone who had supported the venue over three decades.
A farewell weekend featuring Sugarshack and Mode will take place on November 13 and 14, with tickets already selling fast.
Events scheduled after November 17 will move to alternative venues, with ticket holders advised to check their emails for updates.
Deadline approaching for Alan Hull songwriting bursary
Young songwriters across the North East have until November 16 to apply for a £1,000 bursary established in memory of legendary Newcastle musician Alan Hull.
The annual Alan Hull Bursary supports aspiring songwriters aged 25 and under, offering financial assistance to help them develop their music.
Bookbanks turns the page to Newcastle
A charity which has already given away more than 25,000 books is bringing its mission to Newcastle, offering free reading material to people using the city’s food banks.
Bookbanks will launch its Newcastle service on Thursday, November 5, at Newcastle Foodbank’s Venerable Bede Church site in the West End.
The charity sets up pop-up book stalls inside food banks, offering everything from children’s stories and cookbooks to poetry and classics, with trained volunteers helping visitors find something they’ll enjoy.
Working alongside local organisation Borderline Books, Bookbanks hopes to expand the existing provision with a wider selection of titles, author events, writing workshops and links to local libraries. Read more
Theatre Royal and Lumo join forces
Newcastle Theatre Royal has announced a new partnership with train operator Lumo, bringing financial support for the independent theatre charity and discounted tickets and exclusive events for the company’s 125 employees.
The two Newcastle-based organisations are also exploring joint community projects aimed at improving access to cultural experiences across the North East.