Playing Out brings Hannah Robinson to Freight Island
Hannah Robinson headlines Playing Out at Freight Island on 15 October as Mercury Prize Fringe opens across Newcastle.
The Playing Out Mercury Prize Fringe event will open the live music programme at Freight Island, The Plant Room in Newcastle on Thursday 15 October 2026, with Hannah Robinson headlining.
Freight Island is an official partner of the 2026 Mercury Prize, and this special edition of Playing Out is designed around the artists shaping music in the North right now. Rather than simply putting on a conventional headline show, the night mixes live sets with artist conversations, giving emerging performers a chance to appear alongside more established names and reach a wider audience.
Playing Out Mercury Prize Fringe at Freight Island
Hannah Robinson sits at the top of the bill, while the wider idea behind Playing Out is just as important as the individual performances. Generator describes the event as a platform for emerging talent, which makes it a fitting first live music date in a Fringe programme built around Newcastle’s venues, artists and creative communities.
The setting should also give the night a different feel from a standard gig. The Plant Room at Freight Island gives the event space for both performance and conversation, so audiences can hear the music while also getting a little more context around the people making it. That balance is a useful way into a week that will move between grassroots showcases, headline sets, workshops and industry events across the city.
Mercury Prize Fringe runs from 15 to 22 October, building towards the Mercury Prize Awards at Utilita Arena Newcastle. Generator says every Fringe gig is Pay As You Feel, with every contribution going directly back to participating local venues. Tickets are still required for ticketed events, so booking ahead is recommended.
Playing Out
Date: Thursday 15 October 2026
Venue: Freight Island, The Plant Room, Newcastle
Headliner: Hannah Robinson
Tickets: Pay As You Feel; advance booking required
Read the official Playing Out listing and browse the full Mercury Prize Fringe programme.
Event details can change. Check the official event and ticket pages before travelling.
