Newcastle's vibrant music scene is back with a bang as live music makes a triumphant return to the stage at venues across the city this month.
If you've been dying to hear some tunes IRL, shake off the shackles of lockdown and mingle with muso's at these live and local events coming to a stage near you.
Musical theatre
If you like your music with a bit of theatre on the side, head along to Civic Theatre for Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the long-awaited first show back on stage at this popular venue.
Based on the smash-hit movie, Priscilla Queen of the Desert is the heart-warming, uplifting adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more that they had ever dreamed. The hit parade of songs includes It's Raining Men, I Say A Little Prayer, Venus, I Will Survive, Hot Stuff, Boogie Wonderland, Go West, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, I Love The Nightlife and two Kylie medleys.
Jazz
If laid-back jazz is more your style, head along to Babylon on King Street for Sunday Jazz with Half Nelson on Sunday 21 November. Half Nelson will take you to the back alleys of New Orleans and the smoky jazz dives of 1920's Harlem, or all the way to that cocktail ball you've always wished you'd been invited to! From gritty Billie Holiday to the smooth stylings of Ella Fitzgerald, and with a dash of Louis Armstrong, Half Nelson deliver a smooth energy that's heartfelt and beautiful. Babylon is the perfect venue to kick back, sip on a whiskey and forget about the world outside for the afternoon.
Brass
On Sunday 21 November Waratah Brass Band present a day of outdoor live music in the historic King Edward Park rotunda. Bring a rug, chair and picnic basket for a traditional Sunday park experience and support live community music and your local brass band, all for free! The concert is designed to bring happiness and music back to the community after months of the absence of live performances and will feature brass band classics, movie themes, show tunes, jazz, swing and contemporary music.
Rock
Experience a breathtaking celebration of Queen’s Greatest Hits as rock meets classical in Bohemian Symphony, a spectacular concert event coming to the stage at Civic Theatre. A 24 Piece Symphony Orchestra conducted by internationally renowned George Ellis will perform Queen’s Greatest Hits including Bohemian Rhapsody, Don’t Stop Me Now, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, I Want to Break Free, Radio Ga Ga, We Will Rock You, We Are the Champions, Somebody to Love, Another One Bites the Dust plus more. Don't miss this orchestral tribute to one of the biggest stadium-rock bands in the world!
Live summer vibes
If you're looking for something live and local in the summer months, head along to the Sydney Junction Hotel on Beaumont Street Hamilton for SJs Summer Vibes. From hot Aussie rock to chilled Saturday sessions, the SJs beer garden is the place to catch the best in local talent every Friday Saturday and Sunday from now until the end of January.
Hard rock
Looking for a chance to really let your hair down? West Sydney Hard rockers Avalanche are on the road again for a massive, six-month long tour on the back of their latest single and EP release, 'Second Hand Band'. The whole east coast of Australia won't be safe from their raucous, energetic live show. They'll be hitting the Hamilton Station Hotel in Newcastle on Sunday November 21, joined by heavy rock legends Screaming Eagle and The Meantime.
For more great music events in Newcastle check out the music category and get planning!