The MOBOs - what next?
It’s almost a month since the MOBOs took centre stage on Tyneside, with the main event and fringe programme capturing global attention. Now it’s time to focus on the legacy. Simon Rushworth reports
It feels like Georgia May, a talented neo-soul star flying the flag for the North East’s buoyant black music scene, is suddenly in the right place at the right time.
With weighty new single Heavy making waves nationally and a much talked about set at last month’s MOBO Fringe still fresh in the memory, the aspirational face of the region’s increasingly diverse music scene is full of optimism. For good reason.
May returns to Newcastle’s Pilgrim (formerly Hoochie Coochie) this week as part of a stacked bill assembled to celebrate the impact of the 2025 MOBO Awards on a city that’s long been perceived as an untapped outlier on the black music scene.
The Legacy 2025 event — promoted by Northern Roots — sees artists who brought the MOBO Fringe alive reconvene to double down on the momentum gained by bringing a globally significant music event to Tyneside.
“Everything about the MOBOs was brilliant for the region,” says Georgia. “It was a great opportunity for us to showcase what’s happening up here and a chance for homegrown artists to play in front of big crowds across the city.
“I went to all of the fringe events and every one delivered in terms of putting a high level of talent in the room night after night.
“It felt good to be around, there was a real sense of positivity and everything was perfectly captured. It was something that I was incredibly excited to be a part of.”
On Thursday (March 13) May is joined by fellow MOBO Fringe alumni Sisi, Gift, Sushi Sound, Miss Bundz, Manny The Mann and many more as Pilgrim throws open its doors for a free show certain to spark fresh conversation around where the region’s black music scene goes from here.
“Northern Roots and Pilgrim have always been scene leaders and their support is unwavering,” adds Georgia. “They’re always going to champion black music concerts and the sense of community that they’ve fostered is something we all appreciate.
“That’s something that will continue but it’s down to all of us to help close the gap between our region and the rest of the country and to broaden the reach of the talent pool here.
“Continuing to embrace and nurture the links that we forged as a result of the MOBOs is key. It’s important that we encourage everyone who was involved in bringing the MOBOs to Newcastle to continue to play a part in developing talent in the North East — whether that’s the awards organisers in London or our own city council.
“As artists we’ll continue to work hard to strengthen the relationships forged during MOBOs week.”
May was an enthusiastic member of the crowd at Pilgrim’s own fringe event in February — the MOBOs Unsung Class of 2025 event. And if none of the 10 artists who performed on the night (all will receive unrivalled industry support throughout the year) were from the North East, then their appreciation of a warm Geordie welcome was unanimous.
“I’d like to think they’d all love to come back and perform their own shows up here,” adds Georgia. “And hopefully there can be some movement the other way. There’s a real opportunity for some mutually beneficial collaborations and that’s just one area where we can work to secure the MOBOs legacy.”
May worked closely alongside Northern Roots to record, produce and release Heavy and her appreciation of the independent cultural organisation and charity, that specialises in developing and promoting Roots music in the North East, knows no bounds.
“They’re a fantastic organisation and I’m very lucky to have the chance to work with them,” she explains. “Heavy was conceived at a NRTHNBABY songwriting camp and was refined in RT Studio a few weeks later, with support and funding from Northern Roots.
“The final version is about staying true to yourself in a one-sided relationship, blending heartache with attitude. I’m intending to release more new music this year and I’ve been collaborating with a number of artists.”
Read more: Newcastle launch for spellbinding new musical
Northern Roots has been working with artists for almost 20 years to mentor and showcase emerging talent.
It supports emerging and newly arrived artists by offering peer support, training, performing opportunities and by brokering hey industry relationships.
“We can’t wait to welcome the Northern Roots family back to Pilgrim,” said the venue’s co-owner, Michael Lavery. “Hosting the MOBO Awards Legacy show underpins a partnership that continues to go from strength to strength and it will be another fantastic showcase for the region’s emerging talent.
“I still can’t believe it’s been almost a month since Newcastle hosted the MOBOs but there’s a collective ambition to ensure we build on its success and build a legacy.”
Entry to the MOBO Awards Legacy show at Pilgrim is free. The event gets underway from 7.30pm on Thursday (March 13).
Heavy, by Georgia May, is available to stream now.