Northern Roots brings Mercury Fringe showcase to Pilgrim

Northern Roots Mercury Prize Fringe showcase brings Afrobeats, rap, R&B and soul to Pilgrim in Newcastle on Friday 16 October 2026. The event is part of the city-wide Mercury Prize Fringe programme and brings together a large North East-focused bill rather than building the evening around a single touring headliner.

Northern Roots has spent more than 40 years supporting performers, from first appearances through to established careers. That history gives this showcase a wider purpose: artists at different stages are sharing the same room, with live sets, DJ selections and a host keeping the programme moving across the night.

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. The styles move through Afrobeats, rap, R&B and soul, giving the event enough range to introduce new names without making the bill feel disconnected.

The size of the line-up is one of the most interesting parts of the night. Rather than a short support slot followed by one headline set, Pilgrim will be used as a showcase space where several artists can reach the same audience. For anyone following developing North East music, that makes it a useful snapshot of different voices working across adjacent scenes.

The show also sits inside Mercury Prize Fringe, which runs across Newcastle from 15 to 22 October. Generator has built the wider programme around venues and artists across the city, linking the national Mercury Prize activity to grassroots spaces rather than keeping the focus on one main ceremony or stage.

Another useful detail is the ticket model. Fringe gigs are Pay As You Feel, with contributions going back to the venues hosting the programme. Advance booking is still required, so the format lowers the cost barrier without turning the event into an unstructured walk-in session.

The Northern Roots showcase takes place at Pilgrim Newcastle on Friday 16 October 2026. Check Generator, Northern Roots and Pilgrim before travelling in case the running order, timings or other event details change.

More Newcastle shows are listed in SoundBite North East’s Upcoming Gigs, while the venue’s programme is on our Pilgrim Newcastle page.