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) 

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O2 Academy Newcastle Venue Spec

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

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

LOAD IN

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

POWER SUPPLIES

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

FOLLOW SPOTS

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

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

PRODUCTION OFFICE

Phone lines throughout
Wireless internet

CATERING FACILITIES

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

PARKING

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

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:  

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 MH3 32ch

MONITORS

4 x EQ-231G
1 x Yamaha DME24
8 x Yamaha PC9500S
8 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

LIGHTING

5 x Bar 6 1K Par64
10 x ETC Source 4 Junior Zoom
6 x GLP Impression LED wash lights
6 x Robe 575 AT Spots
6 x Robe 575 AT Wash
4 x Robe 250 Spots
4 x Robe 250 Wash
4 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 2004