MOBO Awards book date with Tyneside
Newcastle has been chosen as the host city for the iconic music industry event
Superstars of music will be booking their East Coast Mainline tickets (and/or helicopters and private horse and carriages) following the announcement that the next annual MOBO Awards will be broadcast live from Newcastle.
The Utilita Arena will be hosting the major date in the UK’s music calendar on February 18 next year.
Continuing the MOBO’s mission to take its flagship event out of London (Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool, Glasgow and Coventry have all had the pleasure), the 2025 ceremony will be the first time the awards have been held in the North East.
An event at the city’s Civic Centre saw a performance from Newcastle artist, Kay Greyson, who recently signed to EMI North and celebrated the release of a new album, Chekhov’s Gun. Fellow rapper, Kema Kay was also in attendance as the announcement was made.
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Kanya King CBE, founder and CEO of MOBO Group, said: “Newcastle is a city steeped in history, culture, and a dynamic sense of community alongside an electric nightlife, making it the perfect host city.
“We are honoured to bring the MOBO Awards to this iconic destination, eager to deliver a show that will resonate far beyond the North East.”
Cllr Karen Kilgour, Leader of Newcastle City Council said: “I am honoured that our city has been chosen to host such a prestigious and exciting event. Newcastle is a warm, welcoming and inclusive city. Our city is more diverse than ever before and our ever-developing music scene is a reflection of that.
“We know that being involved in music has enriched the lives of so many people who live here and provided them with opportunities they may never have otherwise had. And this ethos is firmly embedded in the MOBO Awards, so making Newcastle their home in 2025 seems the perfect fit.”
In addition to the main event, a MOBO Fringe Festival will see a crowd of events and activities running up to the big night.
Newcastle City Council and MOBO are working with members of the local community, North East music organisation, Generator, Glasshouse Centre for International Music, and Northern Roots to put together the Fringe programme which will celebrate Black music and culture in the host city.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “I’m thrilled to welcome the MOBO Awards to a new home in our region – just the latest major event putting North East England on the international map for culture.
“I know the Awards and the MOBO Fringe Festival across venues in Newcastle and Gateshead will be a huge inspiration for a new generation of young and emerging musicians working here in the North East.”
The MOBO Awards have been celebrating and elevating Black music for the best part of 30 years - championing homegrown talent and rewarding artistic excellence across genres including Rap, Hip-Hop, R&B, Soul, Grime, Jazz, Gospel, Reggae, African music, Electronic/Dance and beyond.
Details of the hosts, performers and finalists will be released in due course… but if previous ceremonies are anything to go by, we should be canny excited.
Past hosts have included Maya Jama, Jason Derulo, Trevor Nelson, Miquita Oliver, Mel B and Shaggy while audiences have enjoyed live performances from the likes of Stormzy, Lauren Hill, Public Enemy, Amy Winehouse, Rihanna, John Legend, Craig David, Cardi B and Sugababes.
And then there’s the winners.
Those who have a MOBO Award on their mantlepiece include Central Cee, Stormzy, Janet Jackson, Little Simz, Davido, Rihanna, RAYE, Jessie J, Emelie Sande, Tinie Tempah, Wizkid, 50 Cent, Beyoncé and Jay Z.
Tickets go on general sale tomorrow (Saturday, October 5) from the MOBO website.