The Common Room

The Late Shows 2026: Beneath the Surface
2026-05-09 18:00 - 22:30 (Europe/London) | The Common Room, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1SE, United Kingdom
We are thrilled to once again to be part of The Late Shows. For 2026, step inside our spectacular heritage building and immerse yourself in a bespoke mining soundscape that brings our region’s history to life through sound and scent!. In an exciting partnership with Newcastle University, we are hosting a striking architectural installation that will take you on a journey into the lost future of coal mining, allowing you to discover our shared industrial heritage in a completely new way.
While you are exploring, be sure to get hands-on and enjoy some LEGO®. Finally, round off your evening downstairs in our 5|Quarter café bar, where you can grab a drink and join us for a brilliant sing-along!
We are proudly dog-friendly, so please feel free to bring your four-legged companions along on your culture crawl. We cannot wait to welcome you!
Last entry 10:00pm

NEIMME Lecture: Subsurface Voids – Implications for Shallow Coal Mine Geothermal
2026-05-14 18:00 - 19:00
Join us for a fascinating talk exploring the potential of former coal mines in Durham and Northumberland as future geothermal energy reservoirs.
While historical “pillar and stall” mining methods left open spaces that are seemingly ideal for water flow, time and pressure often lead to roof collapses and the buildup of backfilled waste (goaf). This research, incorporating extensive fieldwork along the Northumberland coast, investigates how these structural changes act as long-term barriers to flow. By establishing one of the first datasets of its kind, this project aims to de-risk subsurface mine workings and determine the true geothermal viability of older, highly compacted mines.
About the Speaker:
Stuart Jones is a sedimentologist at Durham University, specialising in subsurface reservoir characterisation for the energy transition—including geothermal, carbon capture, and hydrogen storage. With a rich background in both academia and the hydrocarbon industry, Stuart currently leads major multi-disciplinary research programmes, including the Geothermal Energy from Mines and Solar (GEMS) project. He is also a passionate champion of Earth Science education and the NetZero transition.
17:30-18:00 – Tea and Coffee
18:00-18:50 – In-person only Lecture Starts
18:50-19:00 – Q & A
NEIMME is the Royal Chartered membership organisation for Engineering, Science and Technology in the North.
For more information about our events and the benefits of NEIMME membership see: https://mininginstitute.org.uk/membership
For information on IOM3 membership see: https://www.iom3.org

Pint of Science: Pioneering better science - Alternatives to animals
2026-05-18 19:00 - 21:30
At the UK’s National Centre for the 3Rs, we work with the scientific community to drive forward the 3Rs of animal research. We help scientists replace their use of animals and, where this is not currently possible, reduce the number of animals used and refine the care of the animals to keep pain and suffering to a minimum. Using new and advanced technologies, scientists today have more ways to study human biology, health and disease without animals than ever before. Join us as we showcase the latest innovations and explore the future of alternatives to animal research.
Can you 3D print human tissues?
Professor Kenny Dalgarno (Professor of Manufacturing Engineering)
Imagine a 3D printer that combines living cells with biomaterials. Scientists use ‘bioprinters’ to create 3D cell-based models of how human tissues are built and behave. Learn about a state-of-the-art system with the potential to replace up to 1,000 mice a year to predict drug responses in medicines development at Newcastle University. Kenny Dalgarno is sharing the technology with scientists across the country to replace animals in other areas of research – from leukaemia and liver cancer to blood and bone biology.
Heart disease: From donors to discoveries
Rebecca Conway (PhD student)
Donated human organs and tissues are a valuable resource for scientists. Rebecca Conway uses human heart tissue to better understand how heart disease develops and is working towards the ability to test new treatments without animals. Learn more about how Rebecca keeps heart tissue alive in the lab and studies cardiac disease in a dish. Her approach could replace up to 2,500 mice a year at Newcastle University – with tens of thousands of animals used in similar research across the UK the replacement potential of this technology is huge!

Pint of Science: From Spin to Sponge and Saving the Planet
2026-05-19 19:00 - 21:30
Carbon and hydrogen may be small, but handling them is a big challenge. Learn how carbon can be captured using spinning systems, and how hydrogen can be safely stored in materials packed with microscopic pores. Two talks, one mission: save the world.
Porous carbon materials for hydrogen storage application
– Tesfay Berhe Gebreegziabher (Postgraduate Researcher at Northumbria University)
Porous carbon materials for hydrogen storage focuses on using carbon-based materials—such as activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphene, and carbon aerogels that contain a high density of pores to store hydrogen gas. Their large surface area, low weight, good chemical stability, and tunable pore structure make them promising candidates for safe and efficient hydrogen storage, mainly through physical adsorption. This topic highlights how pore size, surface chemistry, and material design influence hydrogen storage capacity and performance, supporting clean energy and fuel cell applications
You Spin Me Right Round Baby (Rotating Packed Beds for Carbon Capture).
– Dr James Hendry CEng MIChemE (Researcher at Newcastle University)
Presentation will cover the recent developments in commercialisation of the technology of rotating packed beds for carbon capture at Newcastle university. Starting from the humble beginnings at Newcastle in the early 1980’s to becoming a world-leading partners in the commercialisation of the technology for carbon capture applications, the current state of the art, and what the future holds for this most Geordie of technologies.
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Accessible toilet
Lift to function room floor

Pint of Science: Ringing Ears and Starry Eyes
2026-05-20 19:00 - 21:30
From phantom sounds that won’t switch off to technologies that sharpen our vision beyond what seems possible, we will explore the strange ways our brains interact with the world.
Learn why tinnitus might exist at all and how tools built to study distant galaxies are now helping us understand the cells in our eyes and the activity in our brains.
From Black Holes to Eyes to the Human Brain – delving into the mind using adaptive optics
– Dr Penny Lawton (Research Associate at Newcastle University)
In this presentation, I’m going to talk about how adaptive optics – a technique used in astronomy for imaging galaxies and stars through the turbulent atmosphere (and which played a large role in the discovery of the black hole at the centre of the universe) – can also be used down here on earth to image the cells at the back of the eye (the retina) with high precision. From imaging these cells we can find out more about how they work, and how problems in these cells lead to sight loss. Interestingly, this technique also lends itself to being an extremely high precision eye-tracker. This talk will also give some insights into how we can use this to probe activity in the human brain and investigate neurological diseases.
Why is my brain spamming me with sound?
– Will Sedley (Researcher and Consultant Neurologist)
This is the question asked by the one in eight of us, and one in four once we’ve reached old age, experiencing persistent tinnitus. We never hear true silence; the sound is always there unless we’re distracted or other sounds are loud enough to drown it out. I’m one of the lucky majority who aren’t bothered by the sounds, but millions in the UK suffer long-term distress and disability from their tinnitus. In this overview of tinnitus neuroscience, I start with the question of why we have evolved tinnitus; it is too common to occur as simply a design flaw. Is it like pain; even though we don’t like experiencing it, it still helps protect us? Some scientists believe tinnitus helps protect the brain from long-term damage caused by hearing loss, but even if this is the case, surely we can find a more pleasant solution? For people suffering from long-term tinnitus, can we do better then just helping them live better with it, and actually quieten or silence the sound?
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Accessible toilet
Lift to function room floor

Production Unlocked (BBC Academy Live)
2026-05-21 11:00 - 17:30
Join us on Thursday 21 May for a day of free masterclasses, panel discussions, and expert advice for those who work in, or want to work in, the creative industries.
11:15-12:15
Digital First: Storytelling for Youtube and TikTok
Hosted by BBC Academy trainer Patrick Flavelle alongside Anthony Browne from BBC Three, this panel explores the BBC’s digital‑first strategy and its new and evolving partnership with YouTube.
The conversation brings together local production teams selected for the BBC Digital Accelerator programme, launched in collaboration with North East Screen, to share how they are developing and delivering bold, short‑form video content for 16–24‑year‑olds across YouTube, TikTok and other social platforms.
We’ll hear from Andrew Eastel from Northern Child and Spencer Curtin from Wander about how they have adapted their storytelling techniques to meet the creative and practical demands of digital‑first production. Expect insights into audience, platform‑specific formats and what it takes to cut through in a fast‑moving digital landscape.
13:00-14:00
BBC Writers’ Long Story Short: Doppelgänger
Hosted by BBC Writers’ Jess Loveland, this session opens with a screening of Doppelgänger, a BBC Three short film made in Newcastle by an entirely North East‑based creative team.
Following the screening, writer Alison Carr, director Zak Harney, producer Zahra Zomorrodian and executive producer Maria Caruana Galizia (Candle and Bell) join us for an in‑depth conversation about the making of the film. The panel will explore the power of short‑form storytelling and discuss how initiatives like BBC Writers’ Long Story Short help shine a spotlight on the rich talent, skills and production capability of the North East.
14:15-15:15
Turning Up The Volume: The North East Music Scene Today
The North East’s music scene – and its grassroots venues – are booming.
With BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sunderland and Sonic Futures taking place in Hartlepool this week, and looking ahead, the Mercury Prize returns to the North East for the second time this autumn, while the BBC Proms have just announced their return to the region this July. The region is firmly in the spotlight.
Join BBC Radio 1 presenter Jack Saunders, the North’s music development agency Generator, BBC Introducing and others to explore what’s driving the success of the North East music scene – from local venues and emerging talent to global events and cultural investment – and why the region’s sound just keeps getting louder.
15:30-16:30
North East Drama: Then, Now and What Comes Next
Thirty years on from the BBC’s Our Friends in the North becoming one of the most acclaimed dramas ever made, drama production in the North East is entering a new era of opportunity. Building on decades of growth, the region is now seeing a major boost in high‑end TV and film production.
In this panel, Lonesome Pine Productions, recently commissioned by BBC to produce The Northumbria Mysteries with Robson Green and other industry partners discuss the impact of increased drama production in the region and what it really takes to deliver premium TV and film. The conversation will also explore the current and emerging skills gaps facing production offices, and what needs to happen to ensure the North East’s drama sector continues to thrive.
Aimed at those looking to enter the industry, returners, and people transferring from other sectors, this session offers practical insight into the roles, skills and career pathways needed to take advantage of new opportunities in TV and film drama production across the North East.
16:45-17:30
Meet the Commissioners
Hear directly from a panel of TV commissioners as they discuss their commissions from the North East, what they’re actively looking for next, and how best to approach them with your pitch in an increasingly digital and competitive landscape.
Joining the discussion are representatives from the BBC and Channel 5, alongside North East Screen’s Development Director Lisa Laws, who will highlight key developments in the region, including Crown Works Studios in Sunderland and the new music venue on Gateshead Quays.
Essential viewing for producers, writers and creatives looking to understand what commissioners want – and how to get on their radar. This is a valuable opportunity to gain insight into how the current commissioning climate is evolving – and how to navigate it successfully.
⏰ Time: 11:00 am – 5:30 pm
RESGISTER FOR LIVESTREAM OF THE EVENT HERE

NEIMME Lecture: Corrosion - Super Duplex Stainless Steel in Seawater
2026-05-26 18:00 - 19:00
This talk covers corrosion of stainless steels in seawater, what goes wrong, importance of welding, and avoiding poor quality materials.
The talk addresses all the forms of corrosion that can affect stainless steels in seawater (crevice corrosion, erosion corrosion, cavitation, MIC and HISC) , and why you need super duplex for most applications. This includes some examples of what can go wrong if you pick the wrong alloy. The talk will also discuss welding duplex stainless steels and how to ensure that welds are of good quality with adequate corrosion resistance. We still see failures due to poor quality welding. Finally there have been failures of duplex stainless steels, particularly super duplex, due to poor quality, and the talk will discuss how to avoid poor quality material for a lot less than the cost of a major failure.
Dr Roger Francis has been a corrosion engineer for over 50 years. He has wide experience in the fields of marine corrosion, desalination, sour oil and gas corrosion, mineral processing, and the chemical and process industries. He has published over 100 technical papers in all these areas, particularly on copper alloys and duplex stainless steels. He has written seven books on various aspects of corrosion and has jointly edited three others. The most recent was on corrosion in desalination plants. The author has served as chair of NACE Europe, two terms as the NACE European Area director and also as chair of NACE STG 32 (Oil and Gas; metals). He was made a NACE Fellow in 2005 for his work in marine corrosion. In 2014 he received the T J Hull Award for his work in publications. In 2023 He was given the Paul McIntyre Award by ICORR in the UK for his work on corrosion standards and in educating young engineers. In 2012 he set up his own corrosion consultancy business, RFMaterials.
17:30-18:00 – Tea and Coffee
18:00-18:50 – Lecture Starts
18:50 to 19:00 – Q & A
NEIMME is the Royal Chartered membership organisation for Engineering, Science and Technology in the North.
For more information about our events and the benefits of NEIMME membership see: https://mininginstitute.org.uk/membership/
For information on IOM3 membership see: https://www.iom3.org/

NEIMME Lecture: The K Class Submarines - aka the "Kalamity Class2"
2026-05-28 18:00 - 19:00
This lecture will tell the story of the K Class submarine; its design issues, the lessons learned and remembering the many men who perished.
During World War I, it was decided to build submarines which were fast enough to keep pace with surface ships. Equipped with steam turbines to produce sufficient power, they were as large as modern nuclear submarines. The engines were a success, but the submarines were an ill-conceived concept in other regards. Dr Ian Buxton will describe incidents which led to these vessels becoming known as the “Kalamity Class” and an appointment as a crew member became known as joining “the Suicide Club”. Among these was a tragic event which was undisclosed for over 30 years and is not well known today. In the so-called ‘Battle of May Island’, Royal Navy ships and submarines collided at night in the Firth of Forth early in 1918, with great loss of life. In all, more than 200 men died while serving onboard the K class. This lecture will tell the story of the K Class looking at some of the design issues with the submarines, recalling lessons learned which should not be forgotten and remembering the many men who perished due to those mistakes.
Dr Ian Buxton graduated in naval architecture from Glasgow University and served his apprenticeship at the Denny shipyard on the River Clyde. Much of his professional work was associated with computer aided design and maritime economics. He held the position of Reader in Marine Transport in the Department of Marine Technology at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne from 1974 to2002. He set up and managed the Marine Technology Special Collection at Newcastle University, an archive of shipbuilding and related material and its associated British Shipbuilding Database of 82,000 British built ships.
He is currently a Vice President of the World Ship Society, with a lifelong interest in maritime history and writing on ships, shipbuilding and shipbreaking. Naval books include ‘Big Gun Monitors’, ‘The Battleship Builders’ and ‘Battleship Duke of York’ and, recently published in 2024, ‘British Naval Gun Mountings’.
Dr Buxton has very kindly stepped in at very short notice following the recent sudden sad passing of the original presenter Geoff Horseman, retired Chief Turbine Engineer of Siemens Power Generation / CA Parsons at their Newcastle-upon-Tyne site and former Principal Expert on Steam Turbines within Siemens globally. Since retirement, Geoff had been working full time on documenting the Parsons history while original records still exist for preservation in museums. It was during this work that he discovered the story of the K Class submarines which will be discussed in this lecture as a tribute to Geoff.
17:30-18:00 – Tea and Coffee
18:00-18:50 – In-person only Lecture Starts
18:50 to 19:00 – Q & A
NEIMME is the Royal Chartered membership organisation for Engineering, Science and Technology in the North.
For more information about our events and the benefits of NEIMME membership see: https://mininginstitute.org.uk/membership/
For information on IOM3 membership see: https://www.iom3.org/

NIEMME Lecture: UK Critical Metal Exploration: N.E Scotland Case Study
2026-06-04 18:00 - 19:00
This talk will outline the Arthrath Project and demonstrate the latest deposit models, research collaborations and exploration technology.
A revival in mineral exploration in the UK is underway, with particular interest in metals classed as ‘critical minerals’. Despite the UK’s rich geology and recognised potential of certain parts of the country, we lag behind many other jurisdictions in the level of exploration being advanced due to several real or perceived barriers to investment. Aberdeen Minerals is exploring for nickel, copper and cobalt in Aberdeenshire, where near-surface deposits associated with 470 million year old intrusions were first discovered by Rio Tinto in the 1960s and 1970s. The lecture will present the recent progress made through deep drilling and geophysical surveys at the Arthrath Project, and use this project as a case study to demonstrate how the latest deposit models, effective research collaborations and exploration technology have the potential to redefine mineral prospectivity in the UK.
Fraser Gardiner graduated in Geology and Applied Geology at the University of Glasgow in 1997 and has since led an international career in mineral exploration and mining including roles in Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, Middle East, North Africa and Spain. He joined Aberdeen Minerals as CEO in 2022 – his first geology job at home Scotland – and is now based in Aberdeenshire.
RESERVE YOUR FREE TICKET VIA THE GET TICKETS BUTTON
17:30-18:00 – Tea and Coffee
18:00-18:50 – In-person only Lecture Starts
18:50 to 19:00 – Q&A
NEIMME is the Royal Chartered membership organisation for Engineering, Science and Technology in the North.
For more information about our events and the benefits of NEIMME membership see: https://mininginstitute.org.uk/membership/
For information on IOM3 membership see: https://www.iom3.org/

[CANCELLED] Opt Indie Books: The Spirit of Stone with Wyl Menmuir
2026-06-17 19:00 - 21:00
Join us on Wednesday 17th June for an evening in conversation with Wyl Menmuir, as we turn our attention to the landscapes beneath our feet.
From ancient monuments and drystone walls to caves, quarries and rugged coastlines, Wyl explores the ways stone shapes not only the world around us, but our histories, identities and sense of belonging. Bringing together travel writing, memoir, folklore and social history, it is a thoughtful meditation on our relationship with place and a fitting conclusion to a remarkable trilogy that has taken readers from sea, to woodland, and now to stone.
We can’t wait to talk with Wyl about the book and the questions it asks about how we live with, understand and care for the landscapes that surround us.
Tickets
Ticket Only: £5.00
Book & Ticket: £15.00 Includes a copy of The Spirit of Stone (RRP £16.99)

Whisky Tasting - An Evening With...Mark Watt
2026-06-26 19:00 - 21:30
In person whisky tasting event.
There are whisky people, and there are whisky people. Mark is the latter.
One of the true characters in the industry whose career has led him via Duncan Taylor and Cadenheads, to starting his own Independent Bottler with his (just as impressive) wife, Kate. “Watt Whisky” has established itself as one of the most trustworthy of the “new wave” of indies with a focus on quality whisky at an affordable price.
Mark will be joining us (for the first time in Newcastle) on Friday June 26th. Seriously, you don’t want to miss this!
Drams for tasting will be confirmed at least four weeks before the event!
We’ll see you there!

Newcastle Poetry Festival | Deryn Rees-Jones and Denise Riley
2026-06-27 14:00 - 15:30
Reading and In Conversation Deryn Rees-Jones and Denise Riley. Part of Newcastle Poetry Festival.
Denise Riley
Denise Riley is a critically acclaimed writer of both philosophy and poetry and has been praised as ‘one of the great poets of our time’. She is currently Professor of the History of Ideas and of Poetry at UEA. She has taught philosophy, art history, poetics, and creative writing. She is the author of the award-winning poetry collections, Say Something Back and Lurex.
Her latest book, A Chorus of Ears, is a series of essays on voice, lyric and the persona of the poet. Originally delivered as a lecture series at Trinity College, Cambridge, A Chorus of Ears meditates upon the emphasis we place upon the persona of the poet, relegating their actual poetry to a second-order importance.
What, Riley asks, might be discovered about the purpose of poetry, its originary point within our language and more yet besides, when we liberate it from the persona of the author? In allowing the poem to speak, what might we hear?
‘One of the most eloquent thinkers about our life in language’ – The Sunday Times
Deryn Rees-Jones
Deryn Rees-Jones is Professor of English at Liverpool University and the editor of Pavilion Poetry, Liverpool University Press. Her poetry collections Burying the Wren and Erato were shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize. She is also the author of Paula Rego: The Art of Story (Thames & Hudson 2019) and the lyric essay Fires (Shoestring, 2019).
Her remarkable latest collection Hôtel Amour, shortlisted for Wales Book of the Year 2026, sees Deryn Rees-Jones returning to ongoing preoccupations: the complexities of memory and memorialisation, desire and the body, and poetry’s place in a hostile world. Playful, and moving by turn, Hôtel Amour experiments with fragmented narrative and poetic form creating a breathing space for a multilayered and powerful meditation on illness, love and time.
‘Extraordinary in its formal conception and emotional accuracy’ – The Telegraph
Saturday 27th June | 2pm -3.30pm
Reading and In Conversation
TICKETS £6/£3 (students)
Online Bookings Only.
(Café open from 1.30pm)

Northern Chords Festival: Nature and Folk
2026-06-27 19:30 - 21:30
An evening of music inspired by Nature and Folk including The Lark Ascending and Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto.
Tonight’s program invites us into a world where music draws its breath from the natural landscape and the voices of folk tradition. Across cultures and centuries, composers have turned to the rhythms of the earth—rustling forests, open skies, and the pulse of dance—to shape melodies that feel both deeply personal and universally familiar. Folk music, with its raw energy and storytelling spirit, meets the evocative power of nature, creating soundscapes that are at once vivid and timeless.
At the heart of this journey stands the Violin Concerto in D major by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, a work that captures both the lyric sweep of the natural world and the spirited character of dance. From its soaring opening to its electrifying finale, the concerto blends heartfelt song with folk-inspired vitality, culminating in a dazzling celebration of virtuosity and joy.
Konstantia Gourzi “message between trees”
R.Vaughan-Williams The Lark Ascending
G.Holst St. Paul’s Suite
-interval-
P.Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto (in a special arrangement for string orchestra)
Benjamin Baker: violin
Jonathan Bloxham: conductor
Northern Chords Festival Strings
STUDENTS UNDER 18: FREE
GENERAL ADMISSION: £15
FESTIVAL PASS: £45
The 17th Northern Chords Festival, which will take place on the 26 – 28th June in venues across the region, has incredible group of musicians travelling to the North East and we can’t wait to welcome you to our concerts.
To buy tickets for individual concerts or for a festival pass, this option is available on all 3 of the ticket pages by following this link HERE

Josh Rouse
2026-07-04 20:00 - 23:00
We are delighted to welcome critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Josh Rouse to The Common Room this July. Fans know Rouse for his introspective folk-pop and worldly perspective. He has built a strong reputation as a perennially reliable composer.
Rouse grew up moving frequently after his birth in Nebraska. These changing environments constantly inspire his music. He achieved widespread acclaim with his 1998 debut, Dressed Up Like Nebraska. Rouse then relocated to Tennessee. This move led to his poignant 2005 record, Nashville.
He later settled on the Spanish coast. This relocation introduced fresh textures to his songwriting. His sound evolved to include light Spanish touches and warm, 1980s-inspired synths. He recently returned to an organic, guitar-driven sound on his 2022 release, Going Places.
This upcoming gig offers a superb chance to experience his rich back catalogue live. Audiences can also expect to hear exciting new material. Rouse plans to release his fifteenth studio album, Museums and Women, in the autumn of 2026.
Join us for an intimate evening of exceptional musicianship. Come and experience one of the most enduring talents in modern folk-pop.
Doors: 7:30pm

Whisky Tasting With...Paul Dempsy
2026-07-24 19:00 - 21:30
In person whisky tasting event.
Paul’s passion for whisky has led him through a glittering career working with some of the biggest brands in the business.
Recently Paul has focused his skills at new wave Independent Bottler – Brave New Spirits. He’s in charge of (among other things) looking after their Whisky of Voodoo, Whisky Heros and Cask Masters bottlings. And with their new distillery Witchburn on the way in Campbeltown, It’s safe to say that exciting times are afoot
Drams for tasting will be confirmed at least four weeks before the event!

Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer (August)
2026-08-15 20:30 - 20:45
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations never before used for this purpose in Newcastle upon Tyne. Buy your tickets now to discover the music of Hans Zimmer at Wood Hal under the gentle glow of candlelight.
This is a tribute concert experience. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the artist, their estate, or official representatives.
General Info
📍 Venue: The Common Room – Wood Hall
📅 Dates and times: select your dates/times directly in the ticket selector
⏳ Duration: 65 minutes. Doors open 45 minutes before the show and close 5 minutes prior to the start. Late arrivals will not be permitted
👤 Age requirement: 8+. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
♿ Accessibility: this venue is wheelchair accessible
❓ View the FAQs for this event here
🪑 Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone
🕯️ If you would like to book a private concert or buy regular tickets for a large group (+30 people), click here
🎻 Check out all the Candlelight concerts in Newcastle upon Tyne
☀️ Please note that natural light levels during earlier shows may vary and the candlelight may appear dimmer
🎁 To treat your friends and family to a Candlelight gift card, click here
Programme

Pirates of the Caribbean – He’s a Pirate
Pirates of the Caribbean – Suite
Gladiator – Now We Are Free
The Last Samurai – Red Warrior
Dune – Medley
Top Gun – Maverick
Sherlock Holmes – Discombobulate
The Lion King – Can You Feel the Love Tonight
Batman Medley
Wonder Woman
Dunkirk – Supermarine
Inception Medley – Dream Is Collapsing
Inception Medley – Time

Performers

Aurora String Quartet

PLEASE CHOOSE THE CORRECT CONCERT DATE ON TICKET PAGE

Awakened Breath with Vicky Middleton
2026-09-12 10:30 - 12:00
Experience Conscious Connected Breathwork
Immerse yourself in the rhythm of Conscious Connected Breathwork. Enjoy the calming energy of breath techniques and the soothing vibrations of meditation. This session is designed to help you release physical, mental, and emotional tension. It also supports nervous system balancing to create a deeply transformative experience.
Guided by Vicky within a supportive community, this is a space to awaken your loving, life-force energy. Discover the innate healing potential of your breath and open up new pathways of possibility.
Is This Practice Right for You?
Please be aware that Conscious Connected Breathwork is powerful and can bring deep emotions to the surface.
Vicky creates a safe and loving space for this process. However, it is important to ensure this practice is right for you at this time. Please commit to looking after yourself during the workshop and in the days that follow. There is never any need to push further than feels comfortable.
Health and Safety
We do NOT recommend Conscious Connected Breathwork if you experience any of the following:

Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or a history of psychosis

Epilepsy

Heart conditions or extremes of blood pressure

Glaucoma or a detached retina

A history of strokes or aneurysms

Recent abdominal surgery

A delicate pregnancy

If any of these apply to you, Vicky will offer an alternative heart-breathing technique. This modified approach is still a highly powerful and effective experience.
About Your Practitioner
Vicky is a Breathwork Practitioner approved by the Global Professional Breathwork Alliance, with over 800 hours of accredited training.
Investment: Pay what feels accessible to you (£22 – £27).

Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer (Sept.)
2026-09-19 18:30 - 19:45
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations never before used for this purpose in Newcastle upon Tyne. Buy your tickets now to discover the music of Hans Zimmer at Wood Hal under the gentle glow of candlelight.
This is a tribute concert experience. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the artist, their estate, or official representatives.
General Info
📍 Venue: The Common Room – Wood Hall
📅 Dates and times: select your dates/times directly in the ticket selector
⏳ Duration: 65 minutes. Doors open 45 minutes before the show and close 5 minutes prior to the start. Late arrivals will not be permitted
👤 Age requirement: 8+. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
♿ Accessibility: this venue is wheelchair accessible
❓ View the FAQs for this event here
🪑 Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone
🕯️ If you would like to book a private concert or buy regular tickets for a large group (+30 people), click here
🎻 Check out all the Candlelight concerts in Newcastle upon Tyne
☀️ Please note that natural light levels during earlier shows may vary and the candlelight may appear dimmer
🎁 To treat your friends and family to a Candlelight gift card, click here
Programme

Pirates of the Caribbean – He’s a Pirate
Pirates of the Caribbean – Suite
Gladiator – Now We Are Free
The Last Samurai – Red Warrior
Dune – Medley
Top Gun – Maverick
Sherlock Holmes – Discombobulate
The Lion King – Can You Feel the Love Tonight
Batman Medley
Wonder Woman
Dunkirk – Supermarine
Inception Medley – Dream Is Collapsing
Inception Medley – Time

Performers

Aurora String Quartet

DEFIANT: County Durham, The Miners' Strike & its Legacy [Film]
2026-09-28 18:30 - 20:30
Film Screening.
We are proud to work alongside Redhills Durham to organise and support the screening of this documentary from Lonely Tower Film & Media. It is a film that captures the in depth story of Durham’s part in the 1984/85 Miners’ Strike, including the devastation wrought on our pit communities following the final colliery closures.
Focusing on local voices and the testimony of those that were there, Defiant features both the situation within the County, and how wider events (including the Battle of Orgreave) created shock waves on our streets.
It is a story of community, struggle and a defiant pride that still defines County Durham.
Directed by Marie Gardiner and Mark Thorburn.
Ticket pricing:
£5 general admission
£8 supporter option (this optional price helps to further support the work we do)
5|Quarter Café Bar open for refreshments from 18:00 for a 18:30 start in the Lecture Theatre.
This event will run for approx. 2 hours.

Briana Corrigan
2026-10-31 19:30 - 22:30
The Common Room & Hapless Museum Worker Gigs present…Briana Corrigan, BRIT-winning former vocalist of The Beautiful South.
Briana Corrigan (The Beautiful South)
“One of the most distinctive voices in pop” – Time Out
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience an intimate, heart-warming, and joyous evening of story and song with Briana Corrigan, the iconic former vocalist of The Beautiful South.
Returning to the stage following a 10-year hiatus, Briana has already completed five hugely successful, largely sold-out tours across the UK and Ireland, and arrives with a brand-new album in the pipeline.
About the Artist
Born in Belfast, Briana’s unforgettable voice is best known for delivering The Beautiful South’s most successful single: the chart-topping, Brit Award-winning No. 1 hit, A Little Time. Her unique vocal styling, combined with Paul Heaton’s brilliantly acerbic lyrics, created an enduring anthem to broken love.
Beyond her band years, Briana has established herself as a formidable songwriter in her own right. She has released two critically acclaimed solo albums, drawing widespread praise from the music press:
“Her forte… chest-hugging, breast-beating balladry of the highest calibre.” – Q Magazine
“A songwriter of wit and elegance.” – Hot Press
“A revelation! It’s like listening to someone sing you a story. The rain outside is drifting along the glass and this is a good soundtrack to the tale of its falling.” – Melody Maker
What to Expect
Described by VOX as a voice that “could melt icebergs at 50 paces”, this is a unique chance to hear her stupendous vocals up close and personal.
Briana will lead the evening on vocals and guitar, backed by a beautifully stripped-back band featuring an additional guitarist and cellist. The setlist will pack an emotional punch, weaving together:
– Classic hits from The Beautiful South
– Her own beautifully crafted solo material
– Unique, fresh takes on traditional favourites
“Corrigan’s vocals still sparkle with gold dust.” – The Irish Independent
TICKETS ON SALE 10AM, 29TH APRIL, 2026.

INES RAE: Loud But Lonely Tour
2026-11-20 19:00 - 23:00
Get ready for unforgettable live music as the incredible Ines Rae brings her highly anticipated Loud but Lonely Tour to Newcastle!
Known for her captivating vocals and deeply relatable songwriting, Ines is set to deliver a performance that perfectly balances high-energy anthems with intimate moments.
Whether you have been a fan from the beginning or are just discovering her sound, this is your chance to experience the raw emotion and undeniable stage presence that makes her live shows so special.

Pye Corner Audio (plus special guests)
2026-11-21 19:30 - 22:30
Wandering Oak & Hamilton Hunter Live presents…
Pye Corner Audio (PCA) is an electronic music project by Martin Jenkins, which specialises in majestic, cinematic electronica that evokes sci-fi soundtracks, dystopian futures and the sound of haunted dance floors.
Jenkins refers to himself as the mysterious and nameless Head Technician in most of his online profiles, and extra detail is taken to make the audio and visual elements of his performances look and sound worn and vintage.
On his latest full length release “More Songs About The Sun” Andy Bell (Ride/Oasis) adds guitar across ‘Euphoria’, ‘Analogue Dreams’, ‘Cycle’ and ‘As We Begin’, bringing a hazy melodic edge, while Ian Rankin adds spoken word to ‘The Breath Of Now’ too.
PCA first came to attention with four volumes of Black Mill Tapes on his own label, Pye Corner Audio Transcription Services. Like his contemporaries Demdike Stare and Ghost Box, Martin seemed to be tapping into some hidden energy current, channeling spirits via electrical means. The pioneering transmissions of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop could be detected lurking within the music’s staticky swirl; so could the ominous throb of John Carpenter’s film soundtracks.
While the musical landscape has shifted over the years, Pye Corner Audio’s retro-futurist transmissions remain timelessly compelling, resembling a rickety tape transfer of a collective nostalgia, waiting to be rediscovered.
For fans of Boards Of Canada, Belbury Poly, Marconi Union
Supporting act for this show will be Eat Lights Become Lights.
Ticket link active from 3rd July at 10am.
– £17 advance
– Ages 18+ only
– Doors open at 7:00pm

Janice Burns & Jon Doran
2026-12-17 19:30 - 22:30
Janice Burns & Jon Doran are an award-winning Anglo-Scottish duo who’s songs tell vivid stories about the nature of life and our place in the world.
Janice & Jon’s ‘clever and uncluttered musical storytelling’ (Songlines) comes alive through tight vocal harmonies and sensitive interplay between mandolin, bouzouki and guitar. Their arrangements have a spellbinding presence that transports songs from the pages of books and manuscripts into the imagination of the listener.
Following the success of their self-titled EP in 2020, Janice & Jon released their debut album, No More the Green Hills, in Autumn 2022. The album had overwhelmingly positive feedback, finding its place in the Official UK Folk Albums Chart, as well as gaining airplay on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio Scotland. With their relaxed and personable approach to performance, Janice & Jon are renowned for the warmth of their connection with audiences. From opening Stage 2 at Cambridge Folk Festival, to playing at the likes of Celtic Connections, Ceòl Cholasa, Edinburgh Tradfest, Sidmouth Folk Festival and Cecil Sharp House, the duo are highly sought after across the UK and beyond.
The duo’s winter gigs have become something of a tradition over the last few years, and now they’re heading out for their final Christmas tour for the foreseeable, singing songs from their festive album, ‘Great Joy to the New’, and more
. People have always forged customs to survive the winter, with rituals that bring people together and bring light to the dark nights. These rituals have often been born of necessity. Beautiful, colourful, musical traditions, linked by the common cause of sustaining people spiritually, mentally, or financially through a harsh winter. Janice and Jon’s new album and live show explores these themes through a collection of traditional folk songs about Christmas, winter, and optimism for the new year.
**** “Clever and uncluttered musical storytelling” – Songlines Magazine
***** “Five stars for this duo that have made an album destined for repeated listening.” – Irish Music Magazine
“They’re a revelation – crystal clear voices, great musicianship and an obvious deep love of the tradition.” – Mike Harding
“Really nicely done” – Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2 Folk Show
“They play lovely strings, they have gorgeous harmony arrangements. Really well crafted, intimate, beautifully understated.” – Karine Polwart

Will Mars: Life's A Joke
2027-02-05 20:00 - 22:00
After years spent knocking on closed industry doors, Will shared his story online — and audiences decided to kick them open instead.
Millions watched. Hundreds of thousands followed. One question kept appearing:
“Why isn’t this guy famous?”
So Will is finally doing what nobody expected: his debut tour.
Expect a relentless barrage of razor-sharp one-liners, hilarious true stories, and a comedy show about never quite fitting in — a working-class lad who became middle class, a northerner in the south, and a comedian who built his own route when the usual doors stayed shut.
The industry didn’t create this tour. The audience did.
—
18 years + only
