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GENERATOR

@generatorhq

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Powering the North to lead in Music, Culture & Creativity ⚡️
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The 2026 Mercury Prize Fringe programme is here.

Powered by @generatorhq and programmed in partnership with local promoters, venues and partners across the city.

This year, the Fringe goes bigger, with 30+ events spanning live music, new talent and opportunities to discover what’s next, as Newcastle once again takes its place at the heart of the @mercuryprize.

15-22 October.
Explore the full programme, plan your week and be part of it via the link in @generatorhq’s bio.

@freightislandnewcastle, @tynesidecinema, @the_globe_newcastle, @edmondsonandon, @babygreygosforth, @f54_live, @thecumberlandarms, @cobaltstudios.ouseburn, @miso_newcastle, @pilgrimncl, @thegraingermarket, @thegrovenewcastle, @northernroots_ncl, @liiftlive, @publichousehifi, @bykergrave, @hectorgannet, @zerox_newcastle, @livetheatrenewcastle, @theglasshouseicm, @blastrecording, @blankstudios,@knatsncl, @jimmyturrell, @eminorthrecords, @notionliveevents, @tyneandqueercic
#MercuryPrizeFringeNCL #ThisCitySings #MercuryPrizeFringe2026 #MercuryPrizes by @generatorhq

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a month ago

What comes to mind when you think of Newcastle?

The Toon. The bridges. A big night out. A city with a big heart.
But when you stop and really listen, you’ll hear something else.

This city sings.

This October, Newcastle once again welcomes the @mercuryprize - and with it, a week-long Fringe celebrating the music, talent and creativity that make our city what it is.

From live music and artist showcases to album listening parties, workshops, masterclasses, industry events and more, the 2026 Mercury Prize Fringe takes over venues across Newcastle from 15-22 October.

A week to discover something new. Back local talent. Get closer to the music. And celebrate a city that has always had a sound of its own.

The full Mercury Prize Fringe programme is live now.
Explore what’s on, pick your events and be part of it. Link in @generatorhq’s bio.

From Newcastle to the world.
This city sings.

Music: Be Mine (instrumental) -@elliescougall, @vidadeladiva
Voiceover: @itsjennacole
Art Direction and Edit: @megsavagecreative

#MercuryPrizeFringeNCL #ThisCitySings #MercuryPrizeFringe2026 #MercuryPrize by @generatorhq

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a month ago

Talent is everywhere. Opportunity isn’t.

The North is rich in creativity - but for too long it’s been starved of access, infrastructure and investment. That’s why Generator exists.

Because the North is ready to lead.
The talent is here.
The ideas are here.
The future of music and creativity belongs here.

For over 30 years, we’ve backed talent, built careers and broken barriers. Now, we’re going bigger. More energy. More impact. A bolder vision for the future of music and creativity.

Watch the video. Feel the shift. Be part of what’s next.

Generator. Powering the North to lead in Music, Culture & Creativity. ⚡

🎵Vet by @ne.o_uk // @nrthrnbaby taken in Generator by @generatorhq

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a year ago

The Mercury Prize has landed in Newcastle.

From today until 22 October, the Mercury Prize Fringe is taking over the North East with 30+ events celebrating the music, artists and culture that make this region what it is, building up to the Mercury Prize Awards.

Explore the full programme, plan your week and be part of it via the link in @generatorhq’s bio.

Music: Be Mine (instrumental) - @elliescougall, @vidadeladiva
Videography and Edit: @megsavagecreative

#MercuryPrizeFringeNCL #ThisCitySings #MercuryPrizeFringe2026 #MercuryPrize by @generatorhq

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8 hours ago

“It was embarrassing to be playing music. It wasn’t something that was like cool. But I think it ties in with that toxic masculinity, and what makes a young man.”

Jazz is a collective genre, built on collaboration and the coming together of different voices. That spirit runs through Knats’ journey, as they reflect on the people who supported them early in their career, including Warren Thomson and Hannabiell Sanders, and the importance of those opportunities in helping them get to where they are today.

As part of the Mercury Prize Fringe, Knats are returning to the West End of Newcastle to host an In Conversation at the John Marley Centre, reflecting on their journey, the city that shaped them and the future of music in the North.

“We started busking to make a bit of cash, and we wouldn’t ever busk in Newcastle because it would just be so embarrassing. You wouldn’t want to have your mates walking down the street see you playing on buckets, and Stan on bass […] If we could turn the clock back, I’d probably just do it.”

Sign-ups to the event are now closed. See more ways to get involved in the Mercury Prize Fringe at generator.org.uk/mercuryprizefringe

Watch the full interview on @generatorhq’s YouTube.

Videography and Photography: @takenbystorm_photography
Art Direction and Edit: @megsavagecreative
Venue: @johnmarleycentre / @beyondvinyl

#MercuryPrizeFringeNCL #ThisCitySings #MercuryPrizeFringe2026 #MercuryPrize by @generatorhq

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4 hours ago

Meet Knats.

Best friends, musicians, curators of Geordie jazz - and the finale to our Local Heroes series.

In the lead-up to the @mercuryprize, we’ve been shining a light on the people behind Newcastle’s music scene who keep showing up, backing new music and making this city sing.

King and Stan first met at school, forming a band and busking as far from Newcastle as possible to avoid being spotted by their classmates. It was when they met Ferg that things really started to take shape, bringing them together to develop the sound that would become Knats.
Now signed to Fontana Records, the trio are carving out their own space in the music scene, championing a sound they call ‘Geordie jazz’ and putting Newcastle firmly on the map.

In their interview, Knats reflect on the people who supported them early in their career, the growing opportunities for Northern artists and what audiences can expect from their performance at the Mercury Prize on 22 October.

“As soon as you do go to places like London, you do realise like, other places in the country, there are so many more opportunities. It doesn’t have to be like this.”

Watch the full interview on @generatorhq hq YouTube.

Music: Be Mine (instrumental) - @elliescougall, @vidadeladiva
Videography: @takenbystorm_photography
Art Direction and Edit: @megsavagecreative
Venue: @johnmarleycentre / @beyondvinyl

#MercuryPrizeFringeNCL #ThisCitySings #MercuryPrizeFringe2026 #MercuryPrize by @generatorhq

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a day ago

A pleasure to sit down with some of the Mercury Prize Fringe performing artists this year with @lner - the Official Travel Partner of the @mercuryprize 💜

..starting with absolute superstar @mcxxne who plays @pilgrimncl this week on the @northernroots_ncl showcase 🚝 by @generatorhq

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The final event of the Mercury Prize Fringe will be the Fenwick Fan Zone, hosted at Full Circle Brew Co at Fenwick Newcastle.

Hosted by @alicelouisapatterson (@thedivahour_), the stage welcomes @manny__234, @itsjennacolee, @talkliketigers, @pearlygates, @soanneso_ and @thevinkay.

Book your table via
generator.org.uk/mercuryprizefringe

#MercuryPrizeFringeNCL #ThisCitySings #MercuryPrizeFringe2026 #MercuryPrize by @generatorhq

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a day ago

Meet the artists taking part in the EMI North x Notion Showcase at The Grove on 20 October, as part of the Mercury Prize Fringe.

"We couldn’t be prouder to be part of the Mercury Prize Fringe, hosting our very own showcase at The Grove in partnership with Notion Live. The line-up celebrates some of the finest talent from England, Scotland + Wales, representing as much of the North as we can fit in one night, with a little room for a special guest. As a team of Northerners, we know how much it means to have opportunities like this on our doorstep, so being part of the Fringe feels extra special."- Scott Lewis, Label Manager - EMI North

The event is PAYF (Pay As You Feel). Book your tickets at generator.org.uk/mercuryprizefringe

EMI North x Notion Showcase Lineup: @macethegreat_ / @luckyirisband / @waltdisco

#MercuryPrizeFringe2026 #MercuryPrizeFringe by @generatorhq

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3 days ago

“The Mercury for me was always the coolest prize. Out of all of them. As a kid growing up, you know, and they would always have edgy winners. […] The fact it’s in Newcastle two years in a row. Unbelievable.”

Graphic artist and video director Jimmy Turrell has worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Beck and Kasabian to AC/DC and The Rolling Stones

As part of the Mercury Prize Fringe, Jimmy is hosting a hands-on workshop where you can use materials from his own collection to recreate your favourite album covers and singles.

Applications for the workshop are now closed. See the full Mercury Prize Fringe lineup at generator.org.uk/mercuryprizefringe
Watch Jimmy’s full interview on @generatorhq YouTube.

Music: Be Mine (instrumental) - @elliescougall, @vidadeladiva
Art Direction and Edit: @megsavagecreative

#MercuryPrizeFringeNCL #ThisCitySings #MercuryPrizeFringe2026 #MercuryPrize by @generatorhq

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5 days ago