- Play Hard
- 11th Feb 2025
- 0
- 0 minute
The 5 MOBO Fringe shows we’re checking out… and everything you need to know about the MOBO Awards in Newcastle
One of the biggest events in the entertainment calendar will come to the North East for the first time as the MOBO Awards take over Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on the 18th February.
The ceremony is the grand finale of what will be a jam-packed week of events across the city as The Fringe takes over Newcastle with a five-day celebration of Black music and culture.
The North East will be spoiled for choice as there are a multitude of events set to electrify the city. And fear not, we’ve produced a guide to some of the best events you won’t want to miss…
Afro Mix Dance Class
When: Thursday 13th February, 6.00pm – 7.00pm
Where: Dance City
Price: Free – limited spaces available
Afro-Caribbean has become hugely popular across the UK and US in recent years as the infectious beats and melodies want to make you move your body. Dance City is hosting a special Afro Mix dance class for everyone from experienced dancers to beginners to learn a variety of Afro-Caribbean dance styles. It’s the perfect combination of cardio but also great fun whilst you dance with a group of people to some good Afro-Caribbean music.
MOBO Fringe Club Night
When: Saturday 15th February 10.00pm – Sunday, February 16, 2025 4.00am
Where: World Headquarters
Price: £10 for guaranteed entry
Get ready for a night full of energy and non-stop dancing as MOBO Fringe takes over World Headquarters for a club night celebrating Black music and club culture. It features a packed lineup as headliners Congo Natty, Yemz, Killa P and Toya Delazy will be celebrating Jungle, Amapiano, Dub, Grime, House, Techno, Afrobeats and more.
There’s an added layer of fun as the winner of the Open Decks competition earlier in the week will win a set at the club night – where club promoters from across the region will be in attendance to look for promising talent.
MOBO UnSung Class of 2025 Showcase
When: Monday 17th February, 19:30 until 23:00.
Where: Pilgrim
Price: Free
The glitz and glamour of the big household names walking the red carpet and picking up awards at the main ceremony is an incredible spectacle. However, the true impact of MOBO Awards is what it does for up-and-coming talent across the host cities and beyond. Nothing epitomises this dedication to the next generation of artists more than MOBO UnSung, which is a nationwide competition that culminates in 10 finalists who will enter an artist development programme featuring studio time, live performances, workshops, mentoring, A&R support and networking opportunities.
These 10 finalists will showcase what they’ve learned with a live performance at Pilgrim with the likes of Caleb Kunle, Morgan Munroe, Keedz and Flintz participating at the event.
MOBO Music Summit
When: Monday 17th February, 11:00
Where: The Glasshouse
Price: Free
The Music Summit hosted by The Glasshouse is a great opportunity for young artists or people in the music industry to network and feel inspired by a range of panels and events with the knowledge to take forward in their careers. Opportunities like this don’t come around often as the music scene in the North East is a tough environment, so chances to grow and learn from top industry experts must be grasped with both hands.
The day kicks off in Sage Two with the ‘Getting Seen and Heard’ panel – in which artists share their expertise and insights about the fine art of getting your music heard and getting you seen. There will also be a thought-provoking conversation at the Barbour Room at 3.00pm about Black Music in the North of the UK and its progression, challenges and opportunities. The event will culminate at 4.00pm with an in-conversation with Corinne Bailey Rae, who will share her thoughts on the path to success, artistic liberation, career sustainability and legacy.
Original Genius: A Celebration Of Black Musicians On Film
When: Various
Where: Tyneside Cinema
Price: Various
In collaboration with MOBOs, Tyneside Cinema presents a special lineup celebrating prominent Black artists on film. One of the main events of this collaboration will be ‘MOBO: Beyond the Screen’ on Saturday 15th February – which will see the premiere of a new music video made by young people from various youth groups and schools across the region, inspired by the Mercury Prize-winning ensemble Ezra Collective.
Tyneside Cinema will also host events after The Fringe has concluded with hotly-anticipated screenings of the iconic Purple Rain film by Prince from the 23rd-27th February.
The main event – The 2025 MOBO Awards in Newcastle
When: Tuesday 18th February
Where: Utilita Arena, Newcastle
The Fringe will produce an incredible atmosphere in Newcastle as people can enjoy new experiences whilst celebrating Black culture. However, this wouldn’t be possible without the iconic MOBO Awards coming to Newcastle’s Utilita Arena.
There are still tickets left, but if you’d rather watch from the comfort of your own home, don’t worry! The ceremony will be streamed live on YouTube as the Newcastle-hosted MOBOs will be available to watch worldwide. There will also be an exclusive BBC One special on 21 February.
Launched by Kanya King and Andy Ruffell in 1996, the MOBO Awards celebrates Music of Black Origin and honours genres such as Hip-Hop, Grime, R&B and Soul, Reggae, Jazz, Electronic/Dance, Alternative, Gospel and African music.
It promises to be a star-studded affair as the red carpet is rolled out in Newcastle for some of the biggest names in the UK music scene as the likes of Central Cee, Raye, Little Simz, Jorja Smith and FLO are nominated in various categories.
The MOBO Awards has grown to become so much more than just an awards ceremony over the years as it has had a real impact on the people around the host cities as marginalised communities are given a voice and a platform to showcase their talents and give them hope that they can make it in the tough entertainment industry.
From Newcastle Pride to music festivals and huge stadium events at St. James Park, Newcastle has proven itself as an incredible host city for events as its arts and cultural scene continues to grow year in and year out.
And now it’s time for another big challenge as they have been chosen to host the MOBO Awards for the first time ever, but according to Cllr Karen Kilgour, Leader of Newcastle City Council, it’s the “perfect fit.”
“Newcastle is a warm, welcoming and inclusive city. Our city is more diverse than ever before, and our ever-developing music scene is a reflection of that,” said Cllr Kilgour.
She added: “We know that being involved in music has enriched the lives of so many people who live here and provided them with opportunities they may never have otherwise had. And this ethos is firmly embedded in the MOBO Awards, so making Newcastle their home in 2025 seems the perfect fit.”
Comments