Northern Roots brings Mercury Fringe showcase to Pilgrim
Northern Roots brings a wide-ranging line-up of Afrobeats, rap, R&B and soul to Pilgrim in Newcastle on Friday 16 October.
The Northern Roots Mercury Prize Fringe showcase will bring Afrobeats, rap, R&B and soul to Pilgrim in Newcastle on Friday 16 October 2026.
Presented as part of the city-wide Mercury Prize Fringe programme, the night gathers artists at different stages of their development for a packed live bill, alongside DJ sets and a host keeping the evening moving. Northern Roots has spent more than 40 years supporting performers, from first appearances through to established careers, and this showcase puts that work in front of a Newcastle audience.
Northern Roots Mercury Prize Fringe line-up
The announced line-up features Te’Kiah, Maniko, Chloe Castro, TMJ, Kay Greyson, Mcxxne, Shakk, Sisi, DJ Miss Bundz, Look Left and Jamal G, with Sushi Sound hosting. It is a broad programme, but the connecting thread is clear: high-energy performance, strong individual voices and music rooted in lived experience.
With live sets and DJs sharing the bill, the Pilgrim event should feel more like a full evening than a quick run of showcase slots. The mix of Afrobeats, rap, R&B and soul gives the night plenty of room to move between different moods, while the number of names involved makes it a useful chance to catch artists you may already know alongside new discoveries.
The event sits within Mercury Prize Fringe, which runs across Newcastle from 15 to 22 October. Generator says every Fringe gig is Pay As You Feel, with contributions going back to the venues hosting the programme. A ticket is still required, so booking in advance is the sensible move.
Northern Roots Showcase
Date: Friday 16 October 2026
Venue: Pilgrim, Newcastle
Line-up: Te’Kiah, Maniko, Chloe Castro, TMJ, Kay Greyson, Mcxxne, Shakk, Sisi, DJ Miss Bundz, Look Left and Jamal G
Host: Sushi Sound
Tickets: Pay As You Feel; advance booking required
See the official Northern Roots showcase listing and the full Mercury Prize Fringe programme.
Event details can change. Check the official listing and ticket page before travelling.
