What’s on in the North East this September
More music festivals, huge West End theatre shows, Europe’s biggest sneaker event and the chance to see World Cup Finalists in Sunderland. Oh, and it might just be time to find your running shoes…
MUSIC
Television Personalities
9th September
Pop Recs, Sunderland
Led by the alternately whimsical and devastating songwriting of Dan Treacy, Television Personalities have a career in music that has encompassed post-punk, neo-psychedelia and indie-pop.
Tickets: from £22.00
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Generator Live
16th September
Boiler Shop, Newcastle upon Tyne
Featuring a stellar line up made up exclusively of North East talent – including North East indie legends Little Comets and Lizzie Esau – Generator Live 2023 will be an unforgettable day of live music in the heart of Newcastle.
Tickets: from £15.00
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Natalie Imbruglia
23rd September
Durham Cathedral
Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia is set to perform an extra-special set in the magnificent Durham Cathedral this September. Best known for her chart-topping ‘Torn’, Natalie became a favourite for her indie-pop style. Her debut album, Left of the Middle, sold an impressive seven million copies worldwide.
Tickets: from £35.00
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The Breakfast Club: Music from the ‘80s
30th September
The Forum, Darlington
This electronic live band from the North East have been selling out venues across the country with their authentic take on ‘80s classics by the likes of A-ha, Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Simple Minds. You don’t need us to tell you it’s gonna be a good night.
Tickets: £10.00
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The Gathering Sounds
30th September
Venues across Stockton
Andrew Cushin, Komparrison, Zuzu and The Skinner Brothers are just some of the acts confirmed for this popular music festival in Stockton, with venues ranging from ARC and The Georgian Theatre to indie grassroots venue KU.
Tickets: from £21.00
MORE INFOTHEATRE
I, Daniel Blake
12th – 16th September
Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne
Billed as ‘one of the most important stories of a generation’, Ken Loach’s moving film has been adapted for the stage to give us a glimpse behind the headlines at the stark reality of what happens when a political system is stacked against you.
Tickets: from £12.00
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Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
19th – 23rd September
Sunderland Empire
Jamie is 16 and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. Jamie doesn’t quite fit in. Jamie is terrified about the future. Jamie is going to be a sensation. Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight.
Tickets: from £13.00
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Heathers The Musical
3rd – 7th October
Darlington Hippodrome
Veronica Sawyer is just another nobody. But when she joins the beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers and her dreams of popularity may finally come true, mysterious teen rebel JD teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it’s murder being a somebody.
Tickets: from £15.50
MORE INFOARTS AND EXHIBITIONS
Life Drawing Late
13th, 20th and 27th September
Newcastle Arts Centre
Led by award-winning artist Mark Bletcher, these evening life drawing courses are back by popular demand at Newcastle Arts Centre this September – with a wide range of life models, so every session is different.
Tickets: from £15.00
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Matt Rugg: Connecting Form
23rd September – 13th January
Hatton Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne
Matt Rugg: Connecting Form will be the first major retrospective of the work of the British abstract artist and teacher Matt Rugg (1935-2020). The exhibition will display previously unshown work alongside well-known pieces and provide a platform for an outreach and learning programme exploring radical shifts in art education.
Tickets: Free
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Suzi Ruffell
13th September
Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne
Suzi Ruffell likes things snappy: her stand up, her decisions and her suits. Suzi’s brand new show is all about settling down (but not settling), becoming a mother (without becoming mumsy), and still worrying about everything.
Tickets: from £18.50
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Tim Vine
16th September
Maltings Theatre, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Go and enjoy a mountain of nonsense, daft one-liners, joyful songs, wobbly props and ridiculous humour, (plus utter drivel) of Tim Vine at Maltings Theatre this September. Witness the stupidity. Then leave.
Tickets: from £25.00
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Andy Parsons
21st September
Durham Gala Theatre
The Live at the Apollo, QI, They Think It’s All Over and Saturday Live stalwart is back on the UK touring scene for what promises to be another stellar stand up show. In the words of The i, ‘for those who worry that we are going to hell in a handcart, Parsons will at least make you enjoy the ride.’
Tickets: from £15.00
MORE INFOEVENTS
Crepe City
9th September
Utilita Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne
Crepe City is the leading sneaker event in Europe. And, on its return to Newcastle, the festival will have an even greater choice of sellers and more fun activations during the day. On top of the shoes, expect to see games and giveaways, DJs and delicious street food vendors. One for the sneakerheads and streetwear fans.
Tickets: from £11.00
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Great North Run
10th September
Newcastle to South Shields
As well as cheering on around 60,000 dedicated runners in all manner of colourful garb and fancy-dress costumes for a variety of great causes, if you find a good spot along the route of this year’s AJ Bell Great North Run, you’ll also witness Sir Mo Farah’s final ever competitive race.
Free to spectate
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England Women v Scotland Women
22nd September
Stadium of Light, Sunderland
An unbeatable chance to see World Cup Finalists in the flesh, England’s Lionesses return to the North East for their UEFA Women’s Nations League opener against Scotland this September.
Tickets: from £10.00
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