News Beat
9 of the biggest concerts coming to the North East in 2026
Now that the new year has finally arrived, you might be starting to arrange your plans for the next 12 months.
This could include the likes of seeing Lily Allen belt out hits such as Madeline from her new album West End Girl, Take That bringing The Circus Live tour to the Stadium of Light or even Lewis Capaldi at Newcastle’s In the Park.
Not to mention the North East will also be the home of BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend this year, which is heading to Herrington Country Park in Sunderland, in just a matter of months.
💃🪩🕺 The professional dancers have been confirmed for @bbcstrictly Come Dancing: Live Tour here in Newcastle!
Jake Leigh
Julian Caillon
Neil Jones
Nancy Xu
Michelle Tsiakkas
Luba Mushtuk🎟️ Tickets and all info right here: https://t.co/bwhrVvWOik pic.twitter.com/oDaOuTEy2s
— Utilita Arena Newcastle (@ArenaNewcastle) December 19, 2025
9 of the biggest names performing in the North East this year
So you can choose your music events wisely, here are some of the biggest names performing across the region in 2026:
- Florence + The Machine – February 11 at Utilita Arena, Newcastle
- Lily Allen – March 8 at O2 City Hall, Newcastle
- Richard Ashcroft – April 6 at Utilita Arena, Newcastle
- Rick Astley – April 11 at Utilita Arena, Newcastle
- Yungblud – April 21 at Utilita Arena, Newcastle
- Alex Warren – April 23 at Utilita Arena, Newcastle
- Take That – June 9 at Stadium of Light, Sunderland
- Lewis Capaldi – July 8 at In the Park, Newcastle Exhibition Park
- Westlife – October 3 and 4 at Utilita Arena, Newcastle
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Where will Radio 1’s Big Weekend be in 2026?
It wouldn’t be a true music events round-up without spotlighting Radio 1’s Big Weekend taking place from May 22-24 at Herrington Country Park in Sunderland this year.
The city is no stranger to Big Weekend as it last hosted one of the UK’s most popular festivals back in 2005, when the line-up included Gwen Stefani, Foo Fighters and The Black Eyed Peas.
Speaking at the time of the announcement towards the end of 2025, Radio 1 breakfast host Greg James said: “This is one of the great things about the North East.
“There’s so much good music (that) comes out of the North East, and we’re not just talking about Sam Fender in the last couple of years.
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“I mean the heritage of music and bands in that part of the world is unbelievable.”
The line-up for Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2026 is yet to be announced.
Who would you like to see perform live across the North East this year? Let us know in the comments below.
