MOBO & Newcastle City Council Announce The Fringe
16 Jan 2025
In the lead-up to the highly anticipated MOBO Awards on Tuesday 18 February, Newcastle will come alive with The MOBO Fringe – a five-day festival of culture, community, and creativity. For the first time, the MOBO Awards, the UK’s premier celebration of Black music and culture, will take place in Newcastle, marking a historic moment for the city and the wider North East region.
To celebrate this milestone, MOBO and Newcastle City Council, in partnership with Generator, Glasshouse, Northern Roots and Nrthrn Baby, have curated a dynamic and inclusive programme that will showcase the richness of Black music and culture while creating meaningful opportunities for local talent and communities. Running from Thursday 13 February to Monday 17 February, The Fringe will combine live performances, workshops, industry summits, and community-led initiatives to leave a lasting legacy for the region.
With input from over 50 community and industry representatives, The Fringe aims to inspire young creatives, highlight the exceptional talent in the North East, and build meaningful connections that elevate Newcastle as a hub for creativity and diversity. Highlights include music showcases celebrating Black music, songwriting and DJ workshops, and a schools programme where primary and secondary pupils will have the chance to perform and record a well-known song by a MOBO-recognised artist.
The Fringe will open with a celebration of local Black-owned businesses and performances by North East artists at The Glasshouse on Thursday 13 February. Throughout the five days, key venues such as The Grove, World Headquarters, and The Glasshouse will host events in collaboration with partners like BBC Introducing NE, showcasing the best of Black music and culture in the region. The festival will conclude with a special MOBO UnSung Showcase at Hoochie Coochie, spotlighting the MOBO UnSung Class of 2025 – ten emerging artists embarking on a 9-month artist development programme.
Further details of The Fringe programme will be announced on Friday, January 17. For more information, visit mobo.com/fringe