Our Round-up of North East Comedy Nights and Gigs You'll Want to Book this August
The North East's biggest music festival returns, and we celebrate drag, comical Shakespeare plus lots of local favourites
QUEEN BY CANDLELIGHT
2ND–4TH AUGUST
Newcastle Cathedral
0191 232 1939
newcastlecathedral.org.uk
These ‘by candlelight’ concerts really are taking off. Following a run of sell-out shows across the UK last year, an incredible night of Queen anthems will be performed by candlelight in the beautiful Newcastle Cathedral by a live cast of West End singers and a live rock band. It’s Queen as you have never heard them before.
LOOSEFEST
5TH & 6TH AUGUST
Town Moor, Newcastle
loosefest.com
The North East’s biggest music festival returns to Newcastle for an incredible two-day event with an estimated 30,000 people expected to attend each day. The organisers have put together their biggest line-up to date featuring Chase & Status, Craig David, Joel Corry, Example, Jax Jones, Tinie Tempah, Nathan Daw, Sean Paul, Sigala, Tinchy Stryder and Wes Nelson.
NOVUM NEWCASTLE
11TH–13TH AUGUST
Newcastle Civic Centre
novumnewcastle.com
There is so much to look forward to at NOVUM this summer – an incredible weekend, jam-packed with amazing performances. Sheffield’s Mim Suleiman will open the festival, musician, DJ and musical director Lou Hayter will launch her solo live show, and crowds will also enjoy music from North Shields’ Maius Mollis. Plus, on Saturday 12th August organisers are opening up the gardens and spaces surrounding the Civic Centre and inviting families to enjoy fun, free and creative workshops.
HARDWICK FESTIVAL
18TH–20TH AUGUST
Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield
hardwickfestival.co.uk
The Kooks and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds headline this popular festival, joined by Scouting For Girls, Andrew Cushin, The Vaccines and Freya Ridings among many more big names in music. Join 10,000 music-lovers at Hardwick Hall, and make the most of all three days by camping or glamping.
JOHNNY MARR
25TH AUGUST
Middlesbrough Empire
themiddlesbroughempire.co.uk
One of the most influential songwriters and guitarists in music is headlining Middlesbrough Empire this August. You’ll know him as the guitarist and co-songwriter of The Smiths but he has performed with various other bands and since embarked on a successful solo career. As always, he promises to put on a good show.
TOTALLY TINA
26TH AUGUST
Playhouse Whitley Bay
playhousewhitleybay.co.uk
This amazing tribute to the late Tina Turner celebrates the life and work of the Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll. Early hits including River Deep Mountain High will be performed alongside Simply the Best and What’s Love Got to Do With It, supported by dancers in sequins, feathers and diamonds – everything fans will remember from a Tina Turner performance.
BOYCE AVENUE
29TH AUGUST
NX Newcastle
nxnewcastle.com
This Florida-based band consists of three brothers. They formed in 2004 and in 2007 they began posting their videos on YouTube and that’s when their musical career really began. Now they have more than six billion YouTube views and more than 15.7 million YouTube subscribers, making their channel one of the most popular in the world. This proves just why you won’t want to miss this show.
ACOUSTIC MUSIC SESSIONS
UNTIL 7TH SEPTEMBER
The Land of Oak & Iron, Blaydon
01207 524898
landofoakandiron.org.uk
Relaxed acoustic sessions are playing in the Heritage Centre Courtyard at The Land of Oak & Iron over the summer months. Visitors will hear some of the most experienced folk singers and musicians in the North East when they drop by anytime between 11.30am and 2pm.
THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
2ND AUGUST
Middlesbrough Town Hall Courtyard
01642 729729
middlesbroughtownhall.co.uk
Two sets of shipwrecked twins unknowingly end up in the same place at the same time and chaos ensues – but will they find each other in the end? Presented by The Pantaloons, expect silly slapstick comedy and memorable music combined with Shakespeare’s poignant poetry in this open-air show.
CASTLE OF COMEDY WITH DRAG CASTLE
3RD AUGUST
The Stand Comedy Club, Newcastle
0191 232 0707
thestand.co.uk
Drag Castle, a drag troupe from Newcastle, have exploded onto the bar and theatre scene with their witty performances. This two-hour show will feature everything from cosplay to satire. It’s not to be taken too seriously and will be lots of fun.
THE BIRDS AND THE BEES
8TH–12TH AUGUST
Darlington Hippodrome
01325 405405
darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
This show is the bees’ knees. On Gail’s East Anglian farm the honeybees are dropping like flies (just like her love life). Along comes city-dwelling bio-student Ben to study the poorly-performing pollinators. Maybe the best way out of a crisis is to commit to those closest to you? Just make sure you don’t get stung. This comedy show is as heart-warming as it is hilarious.
DANNY BEARD AND THEIR BAND
16TH AUGUST
Northern Stage, Newcastle
0191 230 5151
northernstage.co.uk
Danny has come a long way since their appearance on Britain’s Got Talent back in 2016. The winner of Drag Race UK is on the road with their debut solo tour. Danny’s show promises to be bigger, better, and more camp than ever before, but tickets are selling fast!
COMEDY NIGHT
18TH AUGUST
Spanish City, Whitley Bay
0191 691 7090
spanishcity.co.uk
In association with Felt Nowt Comedy, a great lineup has been put together for this evening of comedy – Matt Reed, Steffen Peddie and Estelle Anderson hosted by Si Beckwith. We’re all in need of some light-hearted fun and laughter, and Spanish City will have heaps of it to dish out.
