Historically, the North East has created a wealth of diverse musical talent and the City Centre site already had a musical heritage. Originally built as a Picture House (The New Westgate) in 1927, it was once the legendary Majestic Ballroom, famed for a performance by The Beatles in 1963, who went on to write their biggest selling UK hit, ‘She Loves You’ after the show! As well as The Beatles, The Moody Blues, The Kinks, Spencer Davis Group, The Hollies, Van Morrison and the Small Faces are just a few other famous names that graced the Majestic Ballroom stage. 

AMG announced the successful acquisition of the former Gala Bingo Hall on Westgate Road in April 2005 and a £4m total refurbishment of the site took place to create a magnificent near 2,000 capacity auditorium. Academy Music Group opened O2 Academy Newcastle on Friday 14th October 2005 with an exclusive, sell-out live performance by The Futureheads, plus support from fellow locals, Field Music and Kubichek! 

O2 Academy Newcastle has retained the original ceiling features, stairways, stage and balcony creating a dramatic and atmospheric space to present to major artists and AMG has invested heavily in its production equipment to offer high quality, professional, in-house services as standard. The venue also has the capability to become an ‘all seated’ format as an alternative arrangement for varied shows and events. 

The 400 capacity O2 Academy2 Newcastle is a stand-alone gig venue and also acts as a second room for club nights and dance events. It is perfect for showcasing new talent from the local area and breaking new acts on the touring circuit.

With a legendary ‘up-for-it’ crowd, O2 Academy Newcastle is also home to ‘Bulletproof’’, Newcastle’s longest running club night and the North East’s most successful indie club. Each and every Saturday, ‘Bulletproof’ features guest DJs and live sets. The NME even quoted ‘Bulletproof’ as ‘the who’s who of bands about to become famous!”.

Awards
• Total Production Awards 2006 ‘Best Venue’ (nomination)
• BEDA Awards 2006 ‘Best Venue’ (nomination) 

CAPACITY

2,000 (1,620 Stalls Standing + 380 Balcony Unreserved Seating)

TWO ROOMS:

O2 Academy Newcastle now offers multiple performance spaces and options to use two rooms simultaneously following investment in extensive acoustic treatments

Capacity options are to operate O2 Academy 2 Newcastle (380) at the same time as stalls only (main room) 1,620 in O2 Academy Newcastle

SECURITY

In house - booked through venue

CREW

In house - booked through venue. Please contact Technical Manager to arrange

BARRIER

In house pit barrier

STAGE DIMENSIONS

Width: 14m with a pinch point of 10.7m
Depth: 7.62m
Height: 1.21m

CLEARANCE:

Proscenium: 6.4m
Front: 6.4m
Back: 5.9m

POWER SUPPLIES

Lighting - 3 phase powerlocks 200 Amp (situated upstage right)
Sound - 3 phase CeeForm 63 Amp (situated upstage right)

LOAD IN

From Fenkle Street through double fire doors up ramp onto dance floor then ramp to stage

PARKING

Available on Fenkle Street - 14 car bays total (can be suspended but charged on advance request)

CATERING FACILITIES

Small kitchen and catering area available
Productions must bring their own cooker and gas supply

MERCHANDISE

Purpose built booth
CMI handle the concession

DRESSING ROOMS

4 x dressing rooms (all with work tops, mirrors and power)
1 x with en-suite shower and toilet, 1 x with shower only and 2 x room only)  
1 x extra shower and toilet between dressing rooms

TOWELS

Towel hire available, please arrange in advance

PRODUCTION OFFICE

+44 191 260 4656
Wireless Internet
 

DRESSING ROOMS

4 x dressing rooms (all with work tops, mirrors and power)
1 x with en-suite shower and toilet, 1 x with shower only and 2 x room only)             
1 x extra shower and toilet between dressing rooms

FOH SYSTEM

FOH PA:
12 x Turbosound TAL-890L Loudspeakers
4 x Turbosound TSW-718 Loudspeakers
14 x Tubosound TA-890HT Loudspeakers – 8 Flown
 
DELAY LINE:             
6 x Turbosound TQ315 Loudspeakers
 
FOH MIXER:  
22m from DSE – 6m x 3m (floor level)
 
FOH DESK:                
Digidesign SC48
SoundCraft MH3-40
 
FOH RACK:               
1 x EQ-231G
3 x Yamaha SPX2000
1 x TC Electronic D2
3 x Drawmer DL441
3 x Drawmer DS404
1 x Denon DNT620
 

MONITOR DESK

Soundcraft Si3

MONITORS

4 x EQ-231G
1 x Yamaha DME24 (8 mixes)
1 Turbosound LMS d26 (2 mixes)
8 x Yamaha PC9500S
2 MC2 E25
11 x Martin LE400C Floor monitors
2 x Martin black line H3 Side Fills
1 x Turbosound TXD252 Drum Fill 
 

MICROPHONES / D.I.S

6 x Shure Beta 58A
2 x Shure SM 58
3 x Shure Beta 57
4 x Shure SM 57
2 x Shure Beta 52
2 x Shure Beta 91   
4 x Sennheiser E 904
2 x Sennheiser E 606
1 x Sennheiser E 945
4 x AKG C 391b
2 x AKG C 535
1 x Beyer M201
10 x BSS AR 133
2 x Beringher DI100

 

FOLLOW SPOTS

None in-house
Positions available on balcony (limited space for 2)

LIGHTING

4 x Bar 6 1K Par64
8 x ETC Source 4 Junior Zoom
4x  Robin 600e spots
6 x GLP Impression LED wash lights
4 x Robe 575 AT Spots
4 x Robe 575 AT Wash
4 x Robe 250 Wash
2 x Martin Atomic 3000 Strobes
1 x ZR24/7 Hazer
2 x 8 way DMX Buffers
36 x Dimming 10 Amp channels

 

DESK

1 x Avolites Pearl expert
1 x Avolites Pearl 2004
 

CURFEWS

Curfews apply on weekend club nights, please contact the General Manager for further details