Christopher BarrettMOBO and Newcastle City Council are collaborating to host a series of events to celebrate the MOBO Awards being staged in the city for the first time.
Ahead of the Awards on 18 February, Newcastle will host The MOBO Fringe, which its organisers described as being a five-day festival of culture, community, and creativity.
The MOBO Awards, a celebration of Black music and culture, will take place at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena (cap. 11,000).
The MOBO Fringe is being produced in partnership with Generator, Glasshouse, Northern Roots and Nrthrn Baby. It is expected to consist of a programme that showcase Black music and culture while creating opportunities for local talent and communities. Set to run from 13-17 February, The Fringe will involve live performances, workshops, industry summits, and community-led initiatives with the aim of creating a lasting legacy for the region.
The Fringe will open with a celebration of local Black-owned businesses and performances by North East artists at The Glasshouse on 13 February. Throughout the five-day event, venues such as The Grove, World Headquarters, and The Glasshouse will host events in collaboration with partners including BBC Introducing NE. The festival will conclude with a MOBO UnSung Showcase at Hoochie Coochie, spotlighting the MOBO UnSung Class of 2025 – ten emerging artists embarking on a nine-month artist development programme.
MOBO Awards founder Kanya King CBE said, “This is a chance to bring people together, spark fresh ideas, and leave a lasting legacy of inspiration.”
Councillor Karen Kilgour, leader of Newcastle City Council, added, “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.”