Newcastle University's Student Union is one of the city's largest and most popular live music venues, holding regular gigs and dance nights that are open to the general public, as well as fulfilling its students-only function on other nights. Live music is staged in the Basement arena which has a capacity of 1,200. In recent years it has staged gigs by a number of well known guitar acts including Embrace, The Charlatans, Travis, and Primal Scream. The Basement, and the building's other venue the excellent Global Cafe, also stage regular club nights which have in the past featured a range of different dance music and big-name DJs. And during the annual Newcastle Comedy Festival, comedians also strut their stuff in the Global Cafe.

Opened in 1927, the City Hall was Newcastle's first purpose-built concert venue. Initially home to classical performances, the last many years has seen it host everything from The Beatles to Weather Report, Billy Connolly to Roy Chubby Brown and various points between. The eighties and nineties saw a drop off in really top-class acts appearing as bigger venues made more economic sense to touring acts. However the City Hall can still claim some key medium size events and it remains an important venue. It has good sight lines (if you avoid the side balconies upstairs) and reasonably good acoustics, but the basement bar has seen better days. Limited wheelchair access.

Once known as the Carling Academy Newcastle, its stage was graced by the likes of The Beatles. The venue re-opened as O2 Academy Newcastle and since then has established itself as one of the premiere music venues in Northeast England. It boasts of a magnificent auditorium with original features in the balcony, stairway and ceiling. Check out the who's who of the British indie scene or groove to the beats of local DJs that spin rock, metal, punk, and ska tunes.

Live Theatre is a converted warehouse complex dating back to the 16th Century. It has been home to the Live Theatre Company since 1986 and has since been substantially redeveloped into one of the best small-scale theater and music venues in the region. It specializes in theatrical productions which are contemporary and often experimental and it has often showcased the work of local writers. Such nationally well-known actors as Tim Healey and Robson Green cut their theatrical teeth with this company. Musically it is a key venue for Jumpin' Hot Club gigs. Cafe Live is a popular eateries with the arts crowd, students and the legal profession.

This music center and concert venue was central to the redevelopment of Gateshead Quays, fronting the River Tyne opposite Newcastle's famous Quayside area. Designed by internationally renowned architect Norman Foster, this stunning building houses a concert hall, a seat studio, a music school with teaching, practice, and rehearsal rooms, a state of the art Music Information Center together with bars, cafes and retail units. Just a short walk along the Quay is the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.

They say you should do what you are best at. Well, the Cluny seems to be best at everything, and manages to juggle the separate skills of being a cafe/bar, a live music venue, and a visual arts exhibition space with great aplomb, and without any of these things detracting from the others. Situated on the edge of the city center, it is not the easiest place for non-locals to find, but it is worth taking a street atlas and making the effort. If it just a drink or a meal you want you will find the place cool and uncluttered, with a good selection of wines and beers, including some ales from the local Mordue brewery. The menu is varied and contemporary, and not too expensive. As a venue for bands it is attracting top local names, and a sprinkling of nationally known artistes as well.

Opened in 1995, the Utilita Arena has rapidly become one of the city's premiere locations for concerts, indoor sporting events, and exhibitions of all kinds. With a capacity of around 11000, the facility has managed to attract stars such as Oasis, Bryan Adams, Britney Spears, and Linkin Park to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Shows such as Teletubbies, Les Misérables, and Disney on Ice specials have also been featured here. For sports fans, the arena plays host to ice hockey or basketball games and other championships.

Situated at Hoults Yard, this is a concert venue where the management always thinks up an excellent artist roster. At Think Tank? you can enjoy performances by English artists from all over the country. This is a concert venue that gives you a chance to catch the likes of 12 Dirty Bullets, Steve Diggle, Brother and Bones and Parlour Flames live in concert.

Constructed in 1997, the Stadium of Light is the home of the Sunderland AFC soccer team and has a seating capacity of around 49,000. Join the thousands of supporters who assemble every game day to cheer for the home team. The stadium also plays host to various cultural events and concerts the year round.