The Glasshouse

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music will play a key role in this year’s Mercury Fringe, a week-long celebration of music across the North East in the run-up to the Mercury Prize in Newcastle this October.

As part of the programme, The Glasshouse will host two special events. On Monday 13 October, Tim Burgess’ Listening Party teams up with Tyneside’s Lanterns on the Lake, to revisit their Mercury Prize-nominated album Spook the Herd. Beginning online, Tim’s Listening Parties have since become a festival favourite, an award-winning radio show and a chart-topping podcast.

On Tuesday 14 October, BBC Introducing From The Glasshouse: Generator x Mercury Fringe Special invites audiences to discover their next favourite artist. This special edition features three rising artists: ERNIE, Nadedja, and Isabel Maria. reflecting The Glasshouse’s commitment to supporting breakthrough talent who could one day join the ranks of Mercury Prize nominees and winners.

The Glasshouse is no stranger to Mercury success. Across its autumn programme, audiences will be able to experience a line-up of artists connected to the Prize:

• Black Country, New Road, Mercury nominees in 2021, perform on Saturday 20 September, bringing songs from their latest release Forever Howlong.
• Rufus Wainwright, who contributed to Antony and the Johnsons’ I Am A Bird Now (Mercury winner 2005), brings Want Symphonic with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra to Gateshead on Sunday 21 September.
• Cate Le Bon, nominated in 2019, plays The Glasshouse on Wednesday 15 October, performing music from her acclaimed seventh album Michelangelo Dying.
• Kathryn Williams, shortlisted in 2000, returns on Thursday 30 October with Mystery Park, her 17th album.
• The Amy Winehouse Band, led by her Musical Director Dale Davis, bring the music of the double nominee (2004 and 2007) to life on Friday 28 November, complete with rare footage and on-screen visuals.
• Kate Rusby, nominated in 1999, performs her festive show Christmas is Merry on Saturday 13 December.

Wendy Smith, Creative Director of The Glasshouse, said:

“The Mercury Prize is one of the most exciting platforms for creativity in the UK and we are proud to be part of the Mercury Fringe as it comes to our region for the first time. At The Glasshouse we champion artists at every stage of their careers, from emerging musicians on our Artist Development programmes to world-renowned performers. Hosting events alongside Generator and welcoming so many Mercury-linked artists this season shows the incredible range of music that lives here in the North East.”

The Mercury Fringe builds on the success of the MOBO Fringe earlier this year, bringing fresh focus to the North East as a music region. With iconic venues, vibrant grassroots scenes and audiences passionate about discovering new music, the area is increasingly recognised as one of the UK’s most exciting places for live music.

The Mercury Prize itself takes place at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on Thursday 16 October, with live performances from the shortlisted artists.

/ENDS

Media contacts:

Beverley Knight, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, beverley.knight@theglasshouseicm.org | 0191 443 4583

Orla Noble, Premier Comms, orla.noble@premiercomms.com | 07808 282795

IMAGES

Tim’s Listening Party with Lanterns on the Lake (credit Ian West for Lanterns on the Lake)
ERNIE
Nadedja credit Shina Collins
Isabel Maria credit Howy White

LISTINGS

Mercury Fringe:

Monday 13 October | 8pm

Tim’s Listening Party with Lanterns on the Lake

Tuesday 12 October | 8pm

BBC Introducing From The Glasshouse: Generator x Mercury Fringe Special

Mercury Prize winning and nominated artists at The Glasshouse:

Saturday 20 September | 7:30pm

Black Country, New Road

Sunday 21 September | 7:30pm

Rufus Wainwright’s ‘Want Symphonic’ with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Wednesday 15 October | 8pm

Cate Le Bon

Thursday 30 October | 8pm

Kathryn Williams

Friday 28 November | 7:30pm

The Amy Winehouse Band with live orchestra

Saturday 13 December | 7pm

Kate Rusby – Christmas is Merry 20th Celebration Tour

About The Glasshouse International Centre for Music

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music is a home for live music lovers.

It’s a place where you can hear rock legends or pop icons on the same night as folk trios or string quartets. Where new musicians are nurtured and showcased on the same stages as platinum-selling performers. And where youth choirs and tambourine-shaking toddlers practise in the same spaces as its acclaimed orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia.

Because as an international centre for music they’re focused on creating and celebrating outstanding music – whether that’s unearthing or growing talent from the region or bringing the world’s best artists to their stages. And as a charity they’re focused on making sure all of that is available to anyone – no matter where you’re from, how old you are, how much money you have, or what challenges you face.

Which is why every year more than 2 million people are able to join for top-notch gigs, concerts, and classes – in their venue at Gateshead Quays, out in communities across the North East, and through livestreamed performances and digital lessons.

Whether you’re making it up or taking it in, you’ll find music lives and grows there.

More about The Glasshouse International Centre for Music

• Since opening in 2004, The Glasshouse has hosted over 10,000 performances, welcoming nearly 5 million audience members and a total of 8 million visitors through its doors. It would take more than 27 years to see every show if you attended one every day.
• Over two decades, the charity has delivered around 233,000 music lessons, reaching young people and adults 2.8 million times across its education programmes (1.8 million of which were young people).
• As its resident orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia has toured globally, performing across four continents and livestreaming to audiences across five. Royal Northern Sinfonia also continues to bring world-class music to communities across the country, with 58% of performances in “levelling up for culture” areas.
• The Glasshouse has supported the careers of thousands of artists like Ward Thomas who have worked their way from free stages to headline shows in its main hall, achieving national and global recognition.
• A recent report quantified its annual social value through education, inclusion and community programmes at £14.1 million.
• Since 2004, The Glasshouse has welcomed over 400,000 delegates for conferences and events, hosting organisations such as Greggs, NHS, and British Engines. Through conferences and events it has generated £10.6 million, helping to fund the venue and support live music and education programmes.
• Over the past two decades, The Glasshouse has generated £681.2million to the UK economy with £38.6m each year in ongoing impact. It supports 700 jobs directly and indirectly.
• The iconic building, designed by Foster + Partners, has 630 panes of glass and stands 40 metres tall. In its opening year, it was exhibited at the Venice Biennale and won the RIBA Inclusive Design Award in 2005.

Celebrating 20 years – In December 2024, The Glasshouse marked its 20th birthday. Over the next year, the charity will reflect on two decades of achievements and look ahead to its third decade, with major initiatives like the Music Academy and Music Pass for newborns, making music accessible to all.