Preview: It’s Grime Up North

Grime takes centre stage in Newcastle this month as NE‑O headlines Pilgrim on 26th June, fronting a lineup that captures the energy and ambition of the region’s rap scene. Presented by Nrthrn Baby as part of their DOTS programme, the night brings together some of the North East’s sharpest voices, with CartCaso and K1 in support, PIRATA on deck duties and SPNI hosting — a snapshot of a scene that’s pushing forward on its own terms.

NE‑O — North East One to those who’ve followed his rise — has spent close to a decade building his name the long way: festival slots, sold‑out hometown shows, Youth Music backing, radio support from Kiss Xtra, BBC Radio 1Xtra and Radio 1, and a steady run of releases that keep him rooted in grime while widening his reach. This year’s drops — 2026 Freestyle, The Coldest with Just‑B, and Pullup4Pullup with SPNI — mark a return to the raw, hard‑edged sound that first put him on the map, and he’s arriving at Pilgrim with a setlist built for impact. As he puts it, “It’s sick to see an event in Newcastle fully focused on grime… I’m gonna go full send.”

The show is the fourth event in Nrthrn Baby’s DOTS programme, supporting emerging promoters across the region. This one is led by Morgan Dobson, whose focus is simple: platform the North East’s underground and give grime the space it deserves. With Early Birds already gone and First Release moving fast, expect a packed room, heavy sets and a night that underlines just how strong the scene is right now.

Tickets are available here.