Narc. Magazine Online
Reliably informed
The O2 Academy, one of Newcastle’s key music venues, is under new ownership and is set for a rebrand, refurb and a relaunch in Autumn this year.
The O2 Academy on Westgate Road in Newcastle is under new ownership and is set to be given a rebrand and refurb. NX Newcastle is the latest £1.75 million venture from independent organisation Electric Group; the same people who transformed Brixton Fridge to Electric Brixton and who made Bristol’s SWX into the number one music venue in the South West.
The former cinema is set to be opened in October after the state-of-the-art refurbishment is completed. The new owners are looking to create an intimate experience both for artists and Newcastle gig-goers, with the introduction of mezzanine platforms that improve the flow of movement throughout the space.
NX Newcastle is set to create 100 jobs, with all staff to be trained as part of Shout Up!, the Newcastle City Council-backed scheme to eliminate sexual harassment from Newcastle’s night-time economy.
Electric Group’s co-founder and CEO Dominic Madden explains more…
“By slightly reducing the capacity of the main room and adding standing mezzanine staircases on either side, as well as an additional mezzanine platform at the front of the circle, we’ll improve the line of sight between musicians and the audience, bringing music fans closer to artists so there can be a greater sense of connection between them.
“We’re hugely excited to provide a 21st century venue for the city that nurtures emerging creative talent as well as forming a major stop on the international tours of the highest calibre; today’s biggest music acts and DJs.”
For more details and to get on the mailing list to be first to hear about touring artists set to play NX Newcastle, visit nxnewcastle.com.
