Newcastle City Council to launch The Fringe - ahead of MOBO awards arriving in Newcastle
A week of special events is going to take place in Newcastle - ahead of the MOBO awards arriving in the city
A week of special events is going to take place in Newcastle - ahead of the MOBO awards arriving in the city.
The MOBOs, which celebrate Black music and culture, will be held here in the North East for the first time ever.
This year nominees include the likes of Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar, Megan Thee Stallion and Raye.
Newcastle City Council and MOBO, along with partners Generator, Glasshouse, Northern Roots and Nrthrn Baby have now announced details of The Fringe, a programme of events running across five days between Thursday 13th February - Monday 17th February, ahead of the ceremony on the 18th February.
The council say the Fringe is designed to bring together diverse communities and partners to celebrate all that Newcastle has to offer in a way of black music and culture.
It aims to create opportunities for people across the city and region, raising aspirations, showcasing the region’s talent, and inspiring meaningful engagement.
The MOBO Fringe opening night will take place at The Glasshouse on Thursday 13th February, celebrating Music of Black Origin with local black owned businesses and live performances from North East artists.
Following this there will be an additional three MOBO Showcase events at The Grove, World Headquarters and The Glass House, with support and partnership from BBC Introducing NE at the Glasshouse Fringe Showcase.
The Fringe events will be rounded off by a special MOBO Unsung Showcase at Hoochie Coochie featuring some of the ten emerging artists selected by MOBO as their top picks for 2025 to take part in their MOBO Unsung Class of 2025 12-month development programme.
The series of workshops will include a song-writing masterclass with Newcastle based music management company Nrthrn Baby and an open-deck DJ workshop led by World Headquarters and Generator, plus many more additional opportunities that will create the chance for hundreds of young people to participate.
Again at the Glasshouse, the Black Music Summit will take place on Monday 17th February, offering inspiring talks, panel discussions and workshops led by key representatives, artists, DJs, industry leads and community organisations from the Black Music community.
Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO, MOBO Awards, said: “We’re thrilled to bring the MOBO Awards to Newcastle next month, a city celebrated for its creativity and strong sense of community. Alongside the awards, we’re proud to unveil The Fringe - our inspiring programme developed in close partnership with Newcastle City Council, Generator, Glasshouse, Northern Roots, and Nrthrn Baby.
The Fringe is all about celebrating Black music and culture while creating opportunities for young and local talent to shine. Following its huge success in Sheffield last year, we’re eager to build on that momentum. This is a chance to bring people together, spark fresh ideas, and leave a lasting legacy of inspiration. Newcastle, the countdown has begun!”
Councillor Karen Kilgour, Leader of Newcastle City Council said: “I am thrilled that we can now announce details of the MOBO Fringe. I truly believe that our plans will leave a lasting and fitting legacy for the city.
“Since it was announced that Newcastle would be the host city for the 2025 awards, we have been working with communities and partners to create a meaningful and sustainable fringe programme, to celebrate Black music and culture and provide inspiration and opportunities for young people and other emerging creatives who are interested in all aspects of Black music.
“I truly believe we have created something special and inclusive, and a platform to further develop the already burgeoning music scene in Newcastle.”
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: "The North East is a hotbed of creativity, and the MOBO Fringe provides an opportunity to unleash the talent of people in our region. Choosing Newcastle to host the MOBO Awards underlines this, and as Mayor, I'm determined to support our culture and creative industries so the North East stands tall on the national and international stage.
“This is an exciting time for our region, and the MOBO Fringe is a fantastic start to 2025. I know so many people will embrace the fringe gigs and be part of the unique event."
Chyaro Hylton, Programme Coordinator at Generator said: “The chance to build a lasting legacy begins with a spotlight, and this is Newcastle’s moment to shine.
“Hosting the MOBO Awards here for the first time is a testament to the talent and creativity bubbling within the region— talent that deserves to be nurtured and celebrated.
“Communities rooted in music of Black origin have long enriched Newcastle’s cultural landscape, but with greater visibility and support, they can elevate their remarkable work to create a legacy that inspires for generations to come.”
Newcastle-based artist Rivkala said: “There’s such a vibrant scene and community of musicians working in jazz-rooted genres in the North East, and it doesn’t always get the attention it deserves- so it’s unbelievably exciting to have the MOBO awards coming to the toon, not just to celebrate the best in the world but also to shine a light on the talent of this city!”
The impact of the MOBO Group extends far beyond the annual awards show. MOBO is deeply committed to promoting social change and inclusion, supporting the development of young talent, and advocating for diversity across the entertainment industry and beyond. Through mentorship programmes, partnerships with educational and charitable organisations, and career development opportunities with leading organisations, MOBO has been a driving force for positive change.
By championing creativity, providing platforms for new voices, and advocating for equality, the MOBO Awards and the wider MOBO Group continue to inspire and empower talents and communities across the UK and beyond.
The MOBO Awards takes place at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on Tuesday 18 February.