MOBO Fringe Launch
Celebrating local businesses and live performances
Be part of MOBO history.
As the MOBO Awards come to Newcastle for the first time, come alive with The MOBO Fringe – a five-day festival of Music of Black Origin.
It all kicks off at the Launch Party, happening right here at The Glasshouse with host and DJ Azula Bandit.
Think red carpet and big performances from young musicians filling the air to get us started, followed by a showcase night from some of the region’s most inspiring artists in Sage Two. Get your feet ready for dancing.
Need to know
Venue: Sage Two Club Layout
Price: Free – but please book a free ticket in advance.
Stage Times:
6.15pm – 6.30pm MOBO Song performance (The Concourse)
6.30pm – 6.50pm Voices of Virtue (The Concourse)
6.50pm – 7pm Doors to Sage Two
7pm – 10pm Artist showcase
Timings are subject to change.
Age: Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult. Heads-up: This gig is rated Parental Advisory, so some content might not be suitable for younger ears—get ready and enjoy the show.
Who's playing
In alphabetical order.
Blixkz
Blixkz has been passionate about music since he was 9 years old. Now at 24, his musical journey got serious around seven years ago. Dropping his debut single ‘Stacks’ back in the summer of 2018, this playful, feel-good tune quickly got a lot of attention. Blixkz soon followed up with more singles, including the fan-favorite ‘Enemy’ which has amassed over 250,000 streams on Spotify alone. Known for his hard hitting and energetic flow, Blixkz is a prominent name in Newcastle’s rising music scene.
Returning from a hiatus for a couple of years, Blixkz has been cooking up new music with no more breaks in sight. His upcoming releases promise to be hard-hitting and unforgettable.
Blixkz has consistently proven his prowess, getting over 100k- 200k views repeastedly on YouTube. Plus he’s featured on notable freestyle channels like Pacman TV, Hotspot, and Link Up TV’s Hardest Bars. Hailing from Newcastle, North East of England, his talent and dedication guarantee that if he keeps pushing, he will go far in the music industry. The stage is set for Blixkz to shine brighter than ever.
Playing artist showcase.
Hannabiell & Midnight Blue
Led by multi-instrumentalist and composer Hannabiell Sanders, Hannabiell & Midnight Blue is a trailblazing ensemble. Their Afro-psychedelic funk seamlessly blends African and Latin percussion, jazz, funk, and dance music into a genre-defying celebration of rhythm and unity. Authenticity from the diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences of its members is at the heart of the music. Their live performances are bold and immersive combining powerful drums, resonant brass, and soaring vocal chants, creating an electric atmosphere that invites audiences to participate, move, and connect.
The band’s artistry is more than just sound; it’s a call for freedom, social justice, and collective harmony through thought-provoking compositions and vibrant stage presence. Whether in a packed concert hall, buzzing festival or grassroots community project, they show the power of music as a force for cultural preservation and change. Their upcoming EP, due Spring 2025, is a groundbreaking exploration of their signature sound.
Playing artist showcase.
Kay + EK
Rapping and performing since she was a teenager, Kay Greyson’s gained a reputation as one of Newcastle’s hardest working artists. Her sound fuses the flair and style of modern hip-hop with the skill and sensibilities of the golden era.
Kay’s performed at The Royal Albert Hall for the MYF Youth Proms, BBC Introducing Live in London made packed out festival appearances. She’s supported hip-hop legends like The Game, KRS One, DJ Yella and Akala, Kay.
Kay won Newcomer of the Year at the 2019 Journal Culture Awards and has released top draw material from the jump including her 2024 debut album Chekhov’s Gun.
Playing artist showcase.
Malik Abdul
Versatility? Tenacity? Certainly! These two qualities have become the bedrock of Malik Abdul’s music and work ethic. A record producer, singer and songwriter who hails from the beautiful city of Lagos, Nigeria, Malik has been making melodies that embody Afrobeat and its fusion through both collabs and solo work.
Previously under the pseudonym El-Nino, he released various projects that resonate with his experiences, background and state of mind. He’ passionate about music which you can feel when you delve into his sound.
Playing artist showcase.
Reali-T
Having emerged from the bustling grime scene in Hackney, Reali-T’s journey took a turn when he relocated to Newcastle after completing university. He found himself submerged into a whole new way of life and quickly turned to music. His unique blend of tongue-in-cheek lyricism and clever punchlines has become a signature style that fans have come to love.
After a year of balancing time between his day job as a legal drug dealer (pharmacist) and long nights in the studio, he’s spent the past year developing the album, Reali-T is ready to release his first album into the world. A highly personal, therapeutic body of work that will resonate with many. Reali-T has recently proclaimed that he is “One Of The Greatest Rappers Alive”. With his seamless storytelling ability and witty wordplay it’s easy to see why he would make such a bold statement.
Playing artist showcase.
Sisi
A true superstar in the making, 20-year-old singer-songwriter Sisi is here to make a statement for the North-East. Having already received heavy backing from Youth Music and PRS, as well as regular BBC Radio support, Sisi’s 2025 release schedule is set to turn heads. An incredibly versatile artist covering everything from Afropop to Garage and making it all Gospel. it’s no surprise that she won the prestigious ‘Young Songwriter of the Year (UK & Ireland)’ award in 2022. Sisi’s talent has proved undeniable and at such a young age it seems that there will be no limit to her success.
Playing artist showcase.
Voices of Virtue
Friends Matti and Chichi built Voices of Virtue Gospel Choir from a duo into one of the Northeast leading Gospel Choirs.
A passion for gospel music and joy of singing have driven Matti and Chichi to create a vibrant and joyful group of singers.
Voices of Virtue Gospel Choir are known for their sold out 100% Soul Shows and Gospel Shows which have toured the region & beyond.
The choir have performed and collaborated with artists such as Sting, Shaggy, Smoove & Turrell, Little Moscow, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas , Liam Fender and Howard Gospel Choir.
Seeing and hearing Voices of Virtue Gospel Choir live is an experience never to be forgotten.
Playing artist showcase.
Who's hosting
Azula Bandit, a dynamic multidisciplinary performance artist, hails originally from South Africa and has resided in the UK since childhood. They’ve continuously evolved as a multidimensional artist, effortlessly transitioning between various art forms. This journey has led to collaborations with performance companies specialising in dance, circus, voice-over, advertisement, theatre, and the music world.
Their artistic journey began as a dancer, known for being the mother of Bounce with Bandit. They empower Womxn through twerk. However, Azula’s artistic evolution didn’t stop there, discovering a new passion as a show-stopping DJ. Blending musicality, directing, hosting, and dance skills to create an electrifying atmosphere, they are on their way to becoming a visionary entertainer and artist.
