NX Newcastle
{{Short description|Music venue in Newcastle upon Tyne, England}}
{{Distinguish|O2 City Hall Newcastle}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2012}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = NX Newcastle
| former names = {{ubl|Carling Academy Newcastle|O2 Academy Newcastle}}
| image =Carling Academy, Newcastle upon Tyne.jpg
| caption = The venue during its time as the Carling Academy in 2006
| image_alt =
| address = Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 1SW
| coordinates = {{Coord|54.970411|-1.6185073|region:Canada-MB_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| type = Music venue
| country = United Kingdom
| opened = {{ubl|October 1927 (as a cinema)|1959 (as Majestic Ballroom)|14 October 2005 (as O2 Academy Newcastle)|September 2022 (as current venue)}}
| operator = Electric Group
| capacity = 2,000
| website = {{URL|https://www.nxnewcastle.com/}}
| owner =
| location = Newcastle upon Tyne, England
}}
NX Newcastle, formerly known as the Carling Academy and the O2 Academy Newcastle, is a music venue in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It opened in the former Majestic Ballroom building on 14 October 2005 as the Carling Academy, and was renamed the O2 Academy for sponsorship reasons in 2008.{{cite news|last1=Sweney|first1=Mark|title=O2 to sponsor Academy music venues|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/nov/06/marketingandpr-mediabusiness|access-date=11 July 2016|work=The Guardian|date=6 November 2008}} The venue was managed by Academy Music Group until early 2022, when Electric Group took over the operation of the site.{{cite web |last=Bryant |first=Toby |date=11 August 2022 |url=https://www.newcastleworld.com/news/what-has-happened-to-the-o2-academy-newcastle-3801745 |title=What has happened to the O2 Academy Newcastle? |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814172822/https://www.newcastleworld.com/news/what-has-happened-to-the-o2-academy-newcastle-3801745 |archive-date=14 August 2022 |website=Newcastle World |publisher=National World Publishing |access-date=23 September 2022}} Following a complete refurbishment, it reopened as NX Newcastle in September 2022.{{cite web |last=Hodgson |first=Barbara |date=20 September 2022 |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/first-look-inside-nx-newcastle-25065373 |title=First look inside NX Newcastle as music venue prepares for all-action opening weekend |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923123356/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/first-look-inside-nx-newcastle-25065373 |archive-date=23 September 2022 |website=ChronicleLive |location=Newcastle upon Tyne |publisher=Trinity Mirror North East |access-date=23 September 2022}}
The O2 Academy had two rooms and could host up to 2,000 people for a show.{{Update inline|date=December 2024}} Major bands and solo musicians that have performed in the main room since 2005 include Arctic Monkeys, Adele, Katy Perry, The Libertines, Sam Smith, McFly, Blondie, Pierce the Veil and Amy Winehouse. The upstairs room, formerly known as O2 Academy2,{{Clarify|date=December 2024}} is smaller and hosts performances by lesser-known bands.{{cite news|title=Newcastle's music scene: where bands thrive|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/newcastles-music-scene-where-bands-thrive-6103622.html|access-date=11 July 2016|work=The Independent|date=14 April 2006}} The venue has also hosted club nights, including Dirty Pop, Ikon Live and Alpha.{{cite news|last1=Duke|first1=Simon|title=O2 Academy Newcastle to host Jamie Vardy Party to celebrate Leicester City title win|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/o2-academy-newcastle-host-jamie-11299548|access-date=11 July 2016|work=Evening Chronicle|date=7 May 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Thompson|first1=Craig|title=Man arrested after alleged Newcastle nightclub attack leaves clubber fighting for his life|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/man-arrested-after-alleged-newcastle-11406074|access-date=11 July 2016|work=Evening Chronicle|date=31 May 2016}}
History
= Early history =
Located on Westgate Road and Clayton Street, the building first opened in 1927 as the 1,870-seat New Westgate Picture House, showing its first movie – the silent film The Monkey Talks – in October of that year.{{cite web|last1=Grundy|first1=Ian|title=Cinema Treasures – O2 Academy Newcastle|url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/11676|website=Cinema Treasures|access-date=11 July 2016}} In 1959 the venue was renamed the Majestic Ballroom, and hosted performances by The Beatles and The Who in the 1960s.{{cite news|last1=Wonfor|first1=Sam|title=The O2 Academy in Newcastle prepares to celebrate its 10th birthday in style in October|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/o2-academy-newcastle-prepares-celebrate-9866948|access-date=10 July 2016|work=Evening Chronicle|date=16 August 2015}} It was then a Gala Bingo hall for over twenty-five years until the chain relocated the club to Byker.{{cite news|title=Rock venue plan is given the go-ahead|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/rock-venue-plan-given-go-ahead-1570331|access-date=11 July 2016|work=Evening Chronicle|date=23 March 2005}}
= As an Academy venue =
Academy Music Group first declared their interest in taking over the building from Newcastle City Council at the end of 2004,{{cite news|title=Beat may be back|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/beat-may-be-back-1642154|access-date=11 July 2016|work=Evening Chronicle|date=29 December 2004}} and an entertainment licence was granted in March 2005 despite protests from local residents concerned about the noise and anti-social behaviour. The official acquisition was announced the following month, with the venue confirmed as the latest member of the Carling Academy chain of venues.{{cite news|last1=Williams|first1=Lowri|title=New Carling Academy to open in Newcastle|url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/5620/new-carling-academy-to-open-in-newcastle|access-date=11 July 2016|work=Gigwise|date=26 April 2005}}
The Carling Academy opened on 14 October 2005 with a headline performance by Sunderland band The Futureheads and support slots from Kubichek! and Field Music. The opening of the venue was called the "biggest happening on the Newcastle music scene in a decade". In November an Ian Brown concert was cut short after the floor of the venue started to sag, requiring the venue to close for a short time.{{cite news|title=Sagging floor ends Ian Brown gig|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/4459288.stm|access-date=11 July 2016|work=BBC News|date=22 November 2005}} Newcastle's Maxïmo Park played at the new venue in December, shortly after their international breakthrough with debut album A Certain Trigger.{{cite news|last1=Barr|first1=Gordon|title=Trigger has shot at win|date=4 August 2005|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music/trigger-has-shot-at-win-1585088|access-date=11 July 2016|work=Evening Chronicle}} Other performers in the opening months included Natalie Imbruglia, The Human League and Rooster.{{cite news|last1=Barr|first1=Gordon|title=Carling all music fans|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music/carling-all-music-fans-1592447|access-date=11 July 2016|work=Evening Chronicle|date=7 October 2005}}
In 2006 the Carling Academy was one of the venues for Evolution Festival for the first time, hosting performances by Hot Chip and The Guillemots.{{cite news|title=Orange Evolution 2006|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/orange-evolution-06-1535624|access-date=11 July 2016|work=Evening Chronicle|date=22 May 2006}} The NME Awards Tour, featuring Arctic Monkeys, We Are Scientists, Mystery Jets and Maxïmo Park, also stopped by for the first time in January.{{cite magazine|title=Hot U.K. Bands Set For NME Tour|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/60535/hot-uk-bands-set-for-nme-tour|access-date=11 July 2016|magazine=Billboard|date=28 November 2015}} Panic! At the Disco headlined at the academy in April 2006,{{cite news|title=Panic! At The Disco: Carling Academy, Newcastle: Friday, April 21|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/panic-at-the-disco/7929|access-date=11 July 2016|first1=Rick|last1=Martin|work=NME|date=5 May 2006}} and The Killers in November.{{cite news|last1=Robinson|first1=John|title=Pop music preview|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2006/nov/18/previews.theguide3|access-date=11 July 2016|work=The Guardian|date=18 November 2006}} In 2007 Mika performed at the height of his fame, filling the venue with giant balloons, while Amy Winehouse was an hour late for her headline performance in the same year.{{cite news|last1=Duke|first1=Simon|title=O2 Academy Newcastle is 10: A look at the big names who've entertained|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/o2-academy-newcastle-10-look-10258227|access-date=11 July 2016|work=Evening Chronicle|date=14 October 2015}}
All of the Carling Academy venues were re-branded under the O2 Academy name in 2008 through a £22.5 million deal with Telefónica Europe's O2 mobile network brand. Blur played a surprise show at the O2 Academy in 2009, their first appearance in Newcastle for twelve years.{{cite news|last1=Barr|first1=Gordon|title=Blur set to play Newcastle concert after 12 years|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/blur-set-play-newcastle-concert-1453124|access-date=11 July 2016|work=Evening Chronicle|date=21 April 2009}} Katy Perry performed at the venue on her Hello Katy Tour in August 2009,{{cite news|title=Music Video of the Week - August 09|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/local-news/music-video-week---august-1458417|access-date=11 July 2016|work=Evening Chronicle|date=9 August 2009}} and Adele made a much-hyped appearance in 2011.{{cite news|last1=Barr|first1=Gordon|title=What's On: Adele, O2 Academy Newcastle|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music/whats-on-adele-o2-academy-1404222|access-date=11 July 2016|work=Evening Chronicle|date=12 September 2011}} The popular alternative night Alpha moved to the O2 Academy in February 2014.{{cite news|title=Nightlife: Alpha @ the O2|url=http://nsrlive.co.uk/nightlife-alpha-the-o2/|access-date=11 July 2016|work=Newcastle Student Radio|date=7 February 2014}}
On 14 October 2015 the O2 Academy celebrated its tenth birthday with a ten-band bill of local talents, headlined by the popular Little Comets. Years & Years, The Prodigy, The 1975 and James Bay also sold-out the venue in the surrounding months.{{cite news|last1=Duke|first1=Simon|title=Years & Years impress in Newcastle as they dazzle capacity O2 Academy crowd|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/years--years-impress-newcastle-10278314|access-date=11 July 2016|work=Evening Chronicle}}{{cite news|last1=Barr|first1=Gordon|title=The Prodigy announce gig at O2 Academy Newcastle|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/prodigy-announce-gig-o2-academy-8436197|access-date=11 July 2016|work=Evening Chronicle|date=13 January 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Dunne-Miles|first1=Matthew|title=The 1975 end social media blackout and announce UK tour dates|url=http://www.wow247.co.uk/2015/06/03/the-1975-end-social-media-blackout-and-announce-uk-tour-dates/|access-date=11 July 2016|work=WOW247|publisher=Johnston Press|date=3 June 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Westmorland-Thornhill|first1=Marie|title=Review: James Bay, O2 Academy, Newcastle|url=http://www.sunderlandecho.com/whats-on/music/review-james-bay-o2-academy-newcastle-1-7484489|access-date=11 July 2016|work=Sunderland Echo|date=28 September 2015}}
= As NX Newcastle =
The freehold of the venue was put up for sale by Newcastle City Council in 2015 for £625,000, with reassurances that the operation of the venue would not be affected.{{cite news|last1=Ford|first1=Coreena|title=Building housing the Newcastle O2 Academy up for sale with £625,000 guide price|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/business/commercial-property/building-housing-newcastle-o2-academy-9555280|access-date=11 July 2016|work=Evening Chronicle|date=30 June 2015}} It was purchased by Electric Group, who run the Electric Brixton and SWX Bristol venues.{{cite news |last1=Dickinson |first1=Katie |title=O2 Academy Newcastle 'to close and be replaced with another live music venue' |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/o2-academy-newcastle-close-replaced-19025226 |access-date=2 October 2020 |work=The Evening Chronicle |date=2 October 2020}} Academy Group's lease on the building expired in March 2021. In 2020, planning documents were submitted to Newcastle City Council by Electric for "a significant scheme of renovation and improvements before reopening as Newcastle's premier live music venue" in Autumn 2022 as NX Newcastle.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.nxnewcastle.com/}}
{{Academy Music Group venues}}
{{Music venues and festivals of Tyne and Wear|state=autocollapse}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Music venues in Tyne and Wear
Category:Culture in Newcastle upon Tyne
Category:Buildings and structures in Newcastle upon Tyne