Grainger Market Unplugged returns for Mercury Prize Fringe

Grainger Market Unplugged returns on Saturday 17 October 2026, bringing acoustic performances from emerging North East artists into Grainger Market as part of this year’s Mercury Prize Fringe.

The event runs through the day rather than following the usual evening-gig format. Generator says live sets will appear around the market from brunch through to “bait and tea”, giving shoppers and visitors a chance to catch new local music while moving through one of Newcastle city centre’s best-known spaces.

Grainger Market Unplugged brings local artists into the city centre

The individual performers have not yet been announced, so the focus for now is on the format: stripped-back acoustic sets from some of the North East’s emerging artists, placed directly into the everyday life of the market. Creative Central NCL is supporting the event, which also means it sits neatly alongside the Fringe’s wider aim of taking music beyond traditional stages and into different corners of Newcastle.

That makes Grainger Market Unplugged a useful option for anyone who wants to sample the Fringe without committing to a full evening show. It should also put local artists in front of people who may not have walked into a gig specifically to see them, which is exactly the kind of crossover a city-wide music programme can create.

Unlike the ticketed evening showcases, no booking is required for Grainger Market Unplugged. The event forms part of Mercury Prize Fringe, running across Newcastle from 15 to 22 October before the Mercury Prize Awards at Utilita Arena Newcastle.

Grainger Market Unplugged
Date: Saturday 17 October 2026
Venue: Grainger Market, Newcastle
Line-up: Emerging North East artists; names to be announced
Entry: No booking required

Read the official Grainger Market Unplugged listing and browse the full Mercury Prize Fringe programme.

Event details and the artist line-up can change. Check the official listing before travelling.