The BBC Proms are set to return to the North East this month with a packed programme of live music, culture and celebration across the region. Taking place from Thursday 23rd to Saturday 25th July, the festival will bring together internationally recognised performers, local talent and classical favourites across three major venues, promising an unforgettable weekend for music lovers.
Known for blending classical music with contemporary sounds and regional culture, the Proms continue to attract audiences from across the UK. This year’s North East events aim to showcase both established artists and emerging performers, highlighting the strength and diversity of the region’s creative scene while strengthening its reputation as a hub for live performance and orchestral collaboration.
The festival opens on Thursday 23rd July with a highly anticipated performance from folk favourites The Unthanks alongside Royal Northern Sinfonia at Middlesbrough Town Hall. Beginning at 7.30pm, the concert is expected to deliver the group’s signature blend of traditional folk influences, poetic storytelling and sweeping orchestral arrangements that have earned them national acclaim.
On the same evening, BBC Introducing will take over Sage Two at The Glasshouse in Gateshead at 8pm. The showcase is designed to spotlight rising artists and fresh musical talent from across the North East, offering audiences the chance to discover new acts before they break into the mainstream, with past alumni going on to achieve significant national radio play and festival appearances.
The celebrations continue on Friday 24th July with Crippled Symmetry at Sage Two at 7pm, presenting an experimental programme that pushes the boundaries of contemporary composition and performance. Later that evening, singer-songwriter Nadine Shah will perform alongside Royal Northern Sinfonia on the Concourse stage at 9pm, bringing her distinctive voice, powerful lyricism and dramatic sound to the Proms weekend.
On Saturday 25th July, Choirs on the Concourse takes place at 4pm, bringing together community voices in a celebration of choral music and highlighting the importance of grassroots participation within the North East arts scene.
The weekend concludes with Mozart and Mendelssohn at The Fire Station in Sunderland at 7.30pm, featuring timeless classical works from two of music’s most celebrated composers performed in a modern civic venue setting.
With performances spanning folk, indie, orchestral and choral music, the BBC Proms North East promises something for everyone this summer. The programme reflects both tradition and innovation, reinforcing the Proms’ ongoing commitment to accessibility, excellence and regional engagement.
For further information, head to theglasshouseicm.org, boxoffice.middlesbrough.gov.uk, and thefirestation.org.uk.
