BBC Introducing NE X MOBO Showcase
Live performances featuring unforgettable collaborations, curated by BBC Introducing.
Discover Future North East MOBO stars.
As the MOBO Awards come to Newcastle for the first time, come alive with The MOBO Fringe – a five-day festival of culture, community, and creativity.
As part of the MOBO Fringe celebrations, we’re teaming up with BBC introducing to bring you a curated line-up that celebrates the best of Black music and culture in the North East. Learn their names and catch them live before they break through.
Need to know
Venue: Sage Two Club Layout
Price: Free, ticketed event.
Stage Times: Announced closer to show time.
Age: Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.
Meet the artists
In alphabetical order.
Eyeconic
Multifaceted and versatile, Eyeconic is an artist who seamlessly glides between rap, grime, hip-hop and everything in between. Matching hard-hitting lyricism with highly meaningful songwriting, he captures the ever-changing journey of life through the eyes of a Polish artist living in the North of the UK.
Eyeconic moved to Middlesbrough from Poland at the age of 10. His older brothers introduced him to Polish hip-hop which he quickly fell in love with over the years and after discovering YouTube, Eyeconic quickly became engrossed with U.K / U.S hip-hop, rap and grime.
Eyeconic’s music gets some serious love from his growing fanbase but that’s not all. His songs have landed ‘Track of the Week’ placements on BBC Radio Newcastle, and his music has had airtime on BBC Radio 1, 1XTRA and 6 Music plus he’s had press support from CLASH and VIPER.
Playing artist showcase.
Jambone
The Glasshouse’s youth jazz ensemble Jambone is anything but conventional, aiming to provide a range of fresh music challenges for its members. Lead by trombonist and musical director Jason Holcomb they’ll be joined by singers from the Newcastle Youth Choir Project and The Glasshouse’s Quay Voices choir to perform Ezra Collective’s God Gave Me Feet For Dancing – this year’s MOBO song.
In partnership with: Music Partnership North, North Tyneside Music Education Hub, Newcastle Sings and Newcastle University.
Playing on the concourse.
Kema Kay
Kema Sikazwe also known as Kema Kay, was brought up in the west end of Newcastle. Kema came from a musical background with a passion for rap, singing, and songwriting which he developed in a local youth project where he spent most of his time as a teen. He’s performed at the biggest venues around Newcastle, headlining his show at the O2, Newcastle. During his career, he got interested in acting and landed a main role in BAFTA, Palme D’or award-winning films I Daniel Blake and Lady Macbeth. Eager to learn and build his craft he wrote and performed his one-man show Shine which played at Live Theatre in Newcastle and received 4-star reviews in the Herold and the Guardian. Coming off the back of a full UK tour of 108 shows of the stage version of I Daniel Blake he’s back working on music with an upcoming album for 2025.
Playing artist showcase.
Knats
Knats, a quintet led by two lifelong best mates from Newcastle Upon Tyne, Stan Woodward (Bass) and King David-Ike Elechi (Drums), alongside their younger sidekick and virtuoso Trumpeter, Ferg Kilsby, making Geordie Jazz with sophisticated arrangements, strong melodies and danceable grooves.
After moving to London at the end of 2022, Knats took London by storm playing a sold out Jazz Refreshed headliner, supporting Str4ta at Jazz Cafe and performing for the BBC proms; as well as working with the likes of Geordie Greep, Eddie Chacon, Tom Ford and Anatole Muster. Now signed to Gearbox Records, Knats are set to release their debut album in 2025.
Playing artist showcase.
Nadedja
Brazilian-born Nadedja settled in North East England in 2017 to embark on her music career as a souldul alternative pop solo artist. Supported by the Ivors Academy, PRS Foundation, Help Musicians and Generator, Nadedja was the first artist to headline The Glasshouse’s ‘From The Glasshouse’ concert series. Her music has appeared on ITV2’s Love Island and she’s been championed by BBC 6 Music. Nadedja’s appeared at festivals throughout the UK including Latitude, Dot 2 Dot, and Lindisfarne and has expanded her global presence by performing Live Brazilian TV multiple times, including a morning news show on the biggest Brazilian television network, ‘Globo’.
Nadedja is currently working on her debut album with producer and engineer Bob Mackenzie (The 1975, Anne-Marie, Nile Rodgers) at both Real World Studios and his private studio, set to be released in 2025.
Playing on the concourse.
NE-O (performing with SwanNek)
Former member of BBC Introducing tipped Grime/Rap duo NE Dons – NE-O started making music in the summer of 2017.
NE-O’s single ‘Isit’ in collaboration with Eyeconic was crowned ‘Track of the week’ on BBC Tees and has received continued support from BBC introducing.
In 2021 NE-O was awarded the MOBO funded Help Musicians grant and used the grant to further develop his name outside of his hometown Newcastle. He’s since received support from DJ Target and Gemma Bradley on BBC Radio 1Xtra and BBC Radio 1 Introducing.
NE-O’s energy and stage presence has given him a reputation as a class performer. He’s supported top rappers such as D Double E, P Money, IRAH, Big Zuu & Kamakaze and performed alongside some of the UK’s leading bass artists such as DJ Zinc, Annix, Bou & Zero. In 2024 he headlined a sold out From The Glasshouse x Nrthrn Baby show.
Playing artist showcase.
Rivkala
Marked as ‘One to Watch’ in 2025 by BBC Introducing, Rivkala is a vibrant emerging talent, inspired by the raw, socially-poignant storytelling of Nina Simone, Carole King and Amy Winehouse.
Winner of Drake Music’s Emergent Artist 2023, the Manchester-born, and Newcastle-based bandleaders been booked for exciting shows across the UK, including; headlining the Introducing stage for BBC Proms at The Glasshouse, festivals such as The Great Escape, and Kelburn Garden Party, and a set at the home of London Symphony Orchestra.
Her debut concept EP, Crushed Velvet, is set for release throughout 2025.
Playing artist showcase.
SwanNek
SwanNek is an eight-piece Newcastle Upon Tyne based Neo soul/Jazz collective led by Findlay Hewitson (keys). 2021 led Hewitson to explore collaborative efforts with longtime friends, Jake Baines (Bass) and Mollie Birmingham (Vocals). SwanNek performed relentlessly in 2022, earning themselves a monthly residency at Hoochie Coochie. 2023 saw new members Bailey Rudd (drums), Jacob Egglestone (guitar, trumpet), Ruby Oldknow (flute), and Olly Styles (tenor sax) join.
Last year SwanNek joined forces with Nrthrn Baby for a live video session at The Glasshouse. A busy summer followed, with the addition of Alexa Campiglia (Cello) opening the door to a new sound and vision for the band, debuted at at BBC Proms and Kendal Calling festival.
Their singles ‘Lucid Dreams’ and ‘Beautiful Sunday’ both featured BBC introducing tracks of the week and they’ve had lots of positive media attention. Ones to Watch, SwanNek are not to be slept on.
Playing artist showcase.
