O2 Academy Newcastle

Among the top live music venues in the northwest of England, the O2 Academy Newcastle offers a 2,000 capacity auditorium and an atmosphere that is steeped in rock history. Some of the leading bands of their day have played at the venue, including the Beatles, who graced its stage twice in 1963. There is also an upstairs room, known as the O2 Academy 2 Newcastle, which hosts smaller touring bands and local performers.

O2 Academy Newcastle history

Constructed in the 1920s, the O2 Academy Newcastle was originally a cinema named the New Westgate Picture House. In 1959, the venue was turned into the Majestic Ballroom and took on a new life as a rock venue. As well as the Beatles, the 1960s saw big acts such as the Who, the Small Faces and the Kinks play there. Before it closed in 1967, bands such as the Yardbirds and the Moody Blues had performed there. However, for nearly four decades afterwards, this illustrious venue was used for little more than games of bingo.

In 2005, the O2 Academy Newcastle reopened as a dedicated music venue, under its former name of the Carling Academy. The Sunderland-based band, the Futureheads, played the venue's first show in 38 years. In the period that followed, high-profile bands such as Goldfrapp, Blondie, the Happy Mondays and Maximo Park all took to the Academy's stage.

By 2008, the O2 Academy Newcastle was branded under a new sponsorship deal and the venue saw even more big acts head there to perform. The venue was played by Blur in 2009, as a warm-up to their notable headline performance at the Glastonbury Festival that year. Other notable performances in recent years have included gigs by Robert Plant, Adele, Elbow and the Arctic Monkeys.

O2 Academy Newcastle information

There are no parking facilities at the venue. If you choose to drive, there is a free 24-hour multi-storey car park off Waterloo Street nearby. Disabled parking bays are located in the vicinity, such as on Fence Street, which has two Blue Badge spots. The closest Metro stations to the O2 Academy Newcastle are situated at Central and Monument.

Some age restrictions apply to events put on at the O2 Academy Newcastle. Each gig will be publicised as to whether it is adults only, and any additional age restrictions should be on your ticket. Under 18 events are often put on, but this usually means being accompanied by an adult in order to gain entry.

Similar venues to the O2 Academy Newcastle

Looking for alternative venues? At StubHub, you can find them at venues such as the Metro Radio Arena or Newcastle City Hall.