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The Crack Magazine

Music

Dolly Does Christmas

A dazzling tribute show filled with all the charm, sass and soul from the North East’s very own Andrea Pattison.

Venue:
The Exchange, 1 Howard Street, North Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE30 1SE
Date:
Dec 6th 2025
Time:
20:00
Price:
£10-£15

Open Jar Christmas Tribute Show

Featuring tributes to Queen, Coldplay, Tina Turner, Robbie Williams and Harry Styles.

Venue:
Stockton Globe, 153A High St, Stockton, TS18 1PL
Date:
Dec 6th 2025
Time:
17:00
Price:
From £24.75

Floyd UK

Pink Floyd tribute.

Venue:
Independent, 27/28 Holmeside, Sunderland, SR1 3JE
Date:
Dec 6th 2025
Time:
18:30
Price:
£18.50

Stereophonics

Legendary Welsh band.

Venue:
Utilita Arena, Arena Way, Newcastle, NE4 7NA
Date:
Dec 6th 2025
Time:
19:00
Price:
From £53.75

The Glam 'N' Glitz Band

Step back into the golden age of glitter and grooves as The Glam 'N Glitz Band brings the iconic Glam Rock era of the 1970s to life.

Venue:
The Studio, Tower Street, Hartlepool, TS24 7HQ
Date:
Dec 6th 2025
Time:
20:00
Price:
£12-£16+bf

Christmas tribute charity gig

Featuring Motorhead, Clutch, Kyus and The Dictators.

Venue:
Little Buildings, 3-5 Stepney Bank, Newcastle, NE1 2PW
Date:
Dec 6th 2025
Time:
19:00
Price:
£10

Gnod

Since their inception, Gnod’s musical trajectory has been one of constant fluctuation borne out of an incessant need to discover new sonic worlds. Support from João Pais Filipe and Dextro.

Venue:
Star & Shadow Cinema, 210 Warwick Street, Newcastle, NE2 1BB
Date:
Dec 6th 2025
Time:
19:30
Price:
£18.70adv

A Ceremony of Carols with Northern Praeclassica

Northern Praeclassica directed by Alex Chisholm-Loxley present Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols together with Christmas music and traditional carols arranged by Rutter, Vaughan Williams and Willcocks.

Venue:
Church of St Mary the Virgin, Thornhill Road, Ponteland, Newcastle, NE20 9PZ
Date:
Dec 6th 2025
Time:
19:30 - 21:00
Price:
£15

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KRYPTIC

The Kernel Method plays live dance and acid house music in support of new vinyl release from North Shield's own Kryptic Communications record label. Live support from Corvadt who plays similar and DJ Support from the amazing Flint and Steel playing EDM/Techno/Electro/Acid House.

Venue:
Head of Steam, 2 Neville Street, Newcastle, NE1 5EN
Date:
Dec 6th 2025
Time:
20:00
Price:
£5

Maxim Yarushkin & Michael Woods

Uniquely original immersive soundscapes from international rising star Maxim Yarushkin (Russia) & original folk-blues from Michael Woods (Newcastle). Join them for a night of award winning songs & guitar.

Venue:
The Cycle Hub, Ouseburn, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1BU
Date:
Dec 6th 2025
Time:
19:30 - 21:45
Price:
£10 adv/£12 door

Forget Me Notes Christmas Concert

This special event features Ushaw’s wonderful resident dementia-friendly choir, ‘Forget Me Notes’, joined by special guests from their sister choirs, in collaboration with the brilliant North East Concert Band.

Venue:
Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, Woodland Road, Durham, DH7 9RH
Date:
Dec 6th 2025
Time:
14:00
Price:
Free

Kapybara

Polish rock band.

Venue:
The Globe, 11 Railway Street, Newcastle, NE4 7AD
Date:
Dec 6th 2025
Time:
20:00
Price:
£10otd

Byker Grave Presents: Esoteric

UK Funeral Doom Masters. Support from Teleost, Pak40 plus more.

Venue:
The Lubber Fiend, 81 Blandford Square, Newcastle, NE1 3PZ
Date:
Dec 6th 2025
Time:
18:00
Price:
£22

Pete Bell

Pete is a top performer & has performed at done amazing venues with his old band ‘The Whodlums’ & of course solo.

Venue:
The White Room Music Cafe, 15 Station Rd, Stanley, Durham, DH9 0JL
Date:
Dec 6th 2025
Time:
20:00
Price:
£6.50

Voices of Virtue Gospel Choir Festive Party

Feel the spirit of the season with a live performance by the Voices of Virtue Gospel Choir. Their soulful voices will bring a mix of classic gospel, holiday favourites, and inspiring new tunes that will have you clapping, dancing, and singing along

Venue:
Gosforth Civic Theatre, Regent Farm Road, Newcastle, NE3 3HD
Date:
Dec 6th 2025
Time:
19:00
Price:
£16.67 adult, £12.51 child (under 14s)

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Kerrang'd

With an ever expanding repertoire of tracks that range from classic Pop Punk bangers to Heavy Indie singalongs, Alternative stompers, and Nu-Metal mosh pit anthems.

Venue:
Digital, Times Square, Newcastle, NE1 4EP
Date:
Dec 6th 2025
Time:
18:00
Price:
£17.50

Memoria + Phantom Step

Venue:
NE Volume Music Bar, 21d Yarm Lane, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 3DR
Date:
Dec 6th 2025
Time:
18:00
Price:
£7adv/£9otd

Jason Isaacs: Xmas 2025

The North East King of Swing is back for another festive show with his incredible live band.

Venue:
PILGRIM, 54 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle, NE1 6SF
Date:
Dec 7th 2025
Time:
16:00
Price:
£21.20adv

The Smokin Spitfires

Two sets of music from the local legends with all profits going to the Bubble foundation.

Venue:
The Cluny, 36 Lime Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle, NE1 2PQ
Date:
Dec 7th 2025
Time:
12:00
Price:
£7.50

Music Against Child Poverty 2

The line-up so far is Mickey Callisto, The Lake Poets and Tom A Smith. Expect countless more local music icons and familiar faces for an unforgettable show.

Venue:
The Fire Station, High Street West, Sunderland, SR1 3HA
Date:
Dec 7th 2025
Time:
19:30
Price:
£34

Villanelle

Amid a rising wave of grunge revivalism, Villanelle are at the forefront— keeping it visceral and real, connecting with audiences through their distinct blend of raw authenticity and pure rock and roll.

Venue:
KU, Prince Regent Street, Stockton, TS18 1DB
Date:
Dec 7th 2025
Time:
19:00
Price:
£12

Tony Wright

Tony is best known as the singer for Bradford rock band Terrorvision.

Venue:
Old Cinema Launderette, 38 Marshall Terrace, Gilesgate Moor, Durham, DH1 2HX
Date:
Dec 7th 2025
Time:
19:45
Price:
£22

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‘Tom Waits for No Man’

Vocalist and composer Lindsay Hannon has chosen and re-arranged a selection of songs from the legendary Tom Waits decades spanning back catalogue. Support from Play More Jazz.

Venue:
The Globe, 11 Railway Street, Newcastle, NE4 7AD
Date:
Dec 7th 2025
Time:
19:00
Price:
£10adv/£12otd/under 25s £7

Lauren Housley

Critically acclaimed Americana singer song-writer. Support from Maggie May Treanor.

Venue:
The Waiting Room, 9 Station Road, Eaglescliffe, Stockton on Tees, TS16 0BU
Date:
Dec 7th 2025
Time:
19:00
Price:
£16

45 Spread

A Sunday session packed with blues, R&B and all things soulful, funky and groovy as 45 Spread take over The Loading Bay stage! Kicking things off, Single Black Olive will be setting the tone from 4pm, warming up the crowd before the main groove lands

Venue:
Salt Market Social, 1 Liddell St, North Shields, NE30 1HE
Date:
Dec 7th 2025
Time:
16:00 - 21:00
Price:
£3

Marconi Union

Frequently drawing comparisons to artists such as Kraftwerk, Brian Eno, Biosphere, Tangerine Dream and Boards of Canada, Marconi Union continue to side step traditional genres forging their own path.

Venue:
The Common Room, Neville Hall, Westgate Road, Newcastle, NE1 1SE
Date:
Dec 7th 2025
Time:
15:30
Price:
£16.50+bf

Seth Lakeman

Seth's latest studio album The Granite Way is a collection of songs recorded alongside a group of longtime collaborators, staying true to his roots and referring to ancient stories that inspired early West Country storytelling.

Venue:
Queen's Hall Arts Centre, Beaumont Street, Hexham, NE46 3LS
Date:
Dec 8th 2025
Time:
19:30
Price:
From £26

The Albion Christmas Band

Featuring the combined talents of Simon Nicol (Fairport Convention), Kellie While (Albion Band) Simon Care (Edward II), Blair Dunlop (Albion Band) and the Guvnor himself, Ashley Hutchings MBE, they’ll take you on a guided tour through the Christmas customs of Britain with a mixture of carols, spoken word and humorous readings.

Venue:
The Glasshouse, Gateshead Quays, NE8 2YR
Date:
Dec 8th 2025
Time:
20:00
Price:
£32.40

Madness

Beloved ska band.

Venue:
Utilita Arena, Arena Way, Newcastle, NE4 7NA
Date:
Dec 9th 2025
Time:
19:00
Price:
From £45.75

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House Gospel Choir “Love Is The Message”

Venue:
Wylam Brewery, Palace of Arts, Exhibition Park, Newcastle, NE2 4PZ
Date:
Dec 9th 2025
Time:
19:00
Price:
£27.50+bf

Melrose Quartet Christmas Show

Melrose Quartet invite you to join them for an evening of festive songs and silliness. With their trademark exquisite close harmony and high energy accompaniments on fiddles, melodeon, guitar and bouzouki, Nancy Kerr, James Fagan and Jess & Richard Arrowsmith bring you a wide range of joyous seasonal music from traditional carols to contemporary wassails.

Venue:
Alnwick Playhouse, Bondgate Without, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1PQ
Date:
Dec 9th 2025
Time:
19:30
Price:
£20

Crobot

An evening of dirty, groovy hard rock with Crobot’s Chasin’ Death tour with support from Asomvel.

Venue:
Anarchy Brew Co., Benfield Business Park, Unit A1, Enfield Road, Newcastle, NE6 4NQ
Date:
Dec 9th 2025
Time:
00:00
Price:
£18.70

Specialized Presents: Horace Panter | A Life In Monochrome+Q&A

An intimate charity fundraising night of stories, memories and music with legendary bass player for 2Tone giants The Specials, ‘Horace Panter’. Hosting is well-known musician and Grammy Award winner ‘Nick Welsh’ of Bad Manners & The Selecter.

Venue:
The Forum Music Centre, Borough Road, Darlington, DL1 1SG
Date:
Dec 9th 2025
Time:
19:30
Price:
£20

Caribou

For over two decades, Caribou, led by Dan Snaith, has been a defining force in electronic music evolving from an experimental solo project into a dynamic, genre-defying live act.

Venue:
The Glasshouse, Gateshead Quays, NE8 2YR
Date:
Dec 9th 2025
Time:
19:30
Price:
£35.30

Interim Recitals

By final-year undergraduate music students. For timetable and venue details please visit www.ncl.ac.uk/live.music.

Venue:
Various locations, Newcastle University campus, Newcastle
Date:
Dec 9th 2025 - Dec 12th 2025
Time:
TBC
Price:
Free

Skinny Lister

Since 2009, Skinny Lister have been at the forefront of first-rate folk/punk in the UK.

Venue:
Independent, 27/28 Holmeside, Sunderland, SR1 3JE
Date:
Dec 10th 2025
Time:
19:00
Price:
£22

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Mike Lindup Trio

Mike Lindup - founding member, vocalist and keyboard player with Level 42 - fronts this jazz trio with Yolanda Charles MBE (Bass) + John Sam (drums).

Venue:
PILGRIM, 54 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle, NE1 6SF
Date:
Dec 10th 2025
Time:
19:30
Price:
£25

Bold Big Band

The full 18-piece jazz orchestra will be taking the stage to bring big band classics to life. You’ll hear a wide range of tunes performed by the absolute best in class!

Venue:
The Cluny 2, 34 Lime Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle, NE1 2PQ
Date:
Dec 10th 2025
Time:
19:30
Price:
£12

Jon Turner – Piano Man

Join Jon Turner – The Piano Man for a captivating live performance in the beautiful Francis Thompson Room.

Venue:
Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, Woodland Road, Durham, DH7 9RH
Date:
Dec 10th 2025
Time:
19:00
Price:
Pay as you wish

BBC Introducing from The Glasshouse: Imogen and the Knife plus Robyn Errico

Each month The Glasshouse are teaming up with BBC Introducing to bring you fresh lineups of artists making waves in the North East’s music scene.

Venue:
The Glasshouse, Gateshead Quays, NE8 2YR
Date:
Dec 10th 2025
Time:
20:00
Price:
Pay what you decide

The Northern Boys

An unapologetically unorthodox UK trio made up of Norman “Ballhead” Pain, Patrick “The King of Darkness” Karneigh Jr. (aka PKJ), and their mate Kevin.

Venue:
The Grove, 1 St Michael's Rd, Byker, Newcastle, NE6 1QU
Date:
Dec 10th 2025
Time:
19:00
Price:
£19.25

James Yorkston

Scottish singer songwriter with a literary, folk bent and unconventional approach.

Venue:
Claypath Delicatessen, Claypath, Durham, DH1 1QS
Date:
Dec 10th 2025
Time:
19:00
Price:
£19.80adv

The Bootleg Beatles

The world’s Premier Beatles band and their orchestra continue to draw international critical acclaim with their flawless recreation of the greatest songbook of all time.

Venue:
Stockton Globe, 153A High St, Stockton, TS18 1PL
Date:
Dec 11th 2025
Time:
19:30
Price:
From £39.60

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Man In The Mirror

A Tribute to Michael Jackson.

Venue:
O2 City Hall, Northumberland Road, Newcastle, NE1 8SF
Date:
Dec 11th 2025
Time:
18:30
Price:
£33.25adv

Slow Readers Club

They write anthemic, uplifting post punk alt-rock songs with sing-along choruses whilst being lyrically dark, political and thoughtful.

Venue:
Newcastle University Students Union, Kings Road, Newcastle, NE2 4NL
Date:
Dec 11th 2025
Time:
19:00
Price:
£30.25adv

Luther Live and Velvet Voices

Step into a world of soul, romance, and unforgettable grooves with Luther Live and Velvet Voices – the ultimate live theatre experience celebrating the golden era of R’n’B.

Venue:
The Glasshouse, Gateshead Quays, NE8 2YR
Date:
Dec 11th 2025
Time:
19:30
Price:
£33.60

Ruth Lyon

Potent Newcastle singer-songwriter who weaves deeply evocative narratives and meditations, with an artistry that balances delicacy and strength, combining analogue textures and angular indie-folk sensibilities.

Venue:
The Glasshouse, Gateshead Quays, NE8 2YR
Date:
Dec 11th 2025
Time:
20:00
Price:
£18.40

Swing Into Christmas with the Down for the Count Swing Orchestra

Fast becoming a holiday tradition for audiences around the country, this is a Christmas spectacular like no other – directed by conductor-compère Mike Paul-Smith and featuring some of the UK’s top vocalists and instrumentalists, the 30-piece orchestra recreates the sounds of Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday in a unique performance full of joy and humour.

Venue:
Middlesbrough Town Hall, Albert Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 2QJ
Date:
Dec 11th 2025
Time:
19:30 - 22:15
Price:
£20.70-£37.70

Holly at Christmas

Buddy Holly’s hits, other contemporary classics and some Christmas crackers are all wrapped up in a fast, furious and funny feast of entertainment to make the perfect gift for all the family.

Venue:
Alnwick Playhouse, Bondgate Without, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1PQ
Date:
Dec 11th 2025
Time:
19:30
Price:
£27

Shannon Pearl

Neo-folk and witch-pop artist from the northeast of England. Support from Dikajee, Chloe & The Brainwaves and Barry Hall (poetry).

Venue:
The Cluny 2, 34 Lime Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle, NE1 2PQ
Date:
Dec 11th 2025
Time:
19:00
Price:
£5-£15

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Singer of the Lakes | White Christmas

Join local singer Lizzie, Singer of the Lakes for an evening of entertainment – combining your favorite musical theatre songs, well-known classical music and your beloved Christmas classics for a night to remember.

Venue:
The Forum Music Centre, Borough Road, Darlington, DL1 1SG
Date:
Dec 11th 2025
Time:
19:30
Price:
£10

Fresh Thursday // Zoe Heselton + Silver Waves + ZINZILE

A unique regular event that showcases new music alongside a home-cooked meal. Zoe Heselton is a British-born poet, songwriter, guitarist, and singer based in Strasbourg. Silver Waves is the longstanding project of Dylan Mallett, a producer based in Bristol. ZINZILE is a wurld’melder, wurld’bringr, wurld’traverser.

Venue:
Cobalt Studios Ltd, 10-16 Boyd Street, Newcastle, NE2 1AP
Date:
Dec 11th 2025
Time:
19:00
Price:
£8-£15

Lunchtime Concert

A selection of music by David Barlow, who taught in the Music Department at Newcastle University for 24 years.

Venue:
King's Hall, Armstrong Building, Newcastle University, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle, NE1 7RU
Date:
Dec 11th 2025
Time:
13:15
Price:
Free

Christmas Carols – Hexham & Newcastle Diocesan Choir

Performing much-loved carols, timeless choral masterpieces, and heart-warming seasonal readings in the stunning surroundings of St Cuthbert’s Chapel.

Venue:
Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, Woodland Road, Durham, DH7 9RH
Date:
Dec 11th 2025
Time:
19:00
Price:
£14/£10