Famous Musicians From Newcastle

Last Updated on June 28, 2023 by Josh McKenzie

Newcastle, a city in Northeast England, is renowned for its iconic Tyne Bridge, historic castle, and vibrant nightlife. But did you know that it’s also a breeding ground for musical maestros? That’s right! Newcastle has been instrumental (pun intended) in shaping the careers of several renowned musicians. So, let’s strike a chord and explore some of Newcastle’s most famous musicians.

The Animals

• Formed: 1963
• Genre: Rock, R&B
• Notable Albums: ‘The Animals’, ‘Animal Tracks’
• Interesting Fact: The Animals’ most famous song, ‘The House of the Rising Sun’, topped the charts in the UK, the US, and several other countries.

The Animals, formed in Newcastle, are a rock and R&B band that achieved major success in the 1960s. Their gritty, bluesy sound and deep-voiced frontman Eric Burdon set them apart from their contemporaries.

Venom

• Formed: 1978
• Genre: Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal
• Notable Albums: ‘Welcome to Hell’, ‘Black Metal’
• Interesting Fact: Venom’s second album ‘Black Metal’ is credited with giving the black metal genre its name.

Venom, also hailing from Newcastle, is a heavy metal band known for their high-energy performances and dark lyrical themes. They are considered a major influence on the thrash metal and black metal genres.

Vashti Bunyan

• Active: 1965 to present
• Genre: Folk
• Notable Albums: ‘Just Another Diamond Day’, ‘Lookaftering’
• Interesting Fact: Vashti Bunyan’s debut album ‘Just Another Diamond Day’ was initially a commercial failure but has since been recognised as a classic of the folk genre.

Vashti Bunyan, born in Newcastle, is a folk singer-songwriter known for her delicate vocals and introspective lyrics. Her music has gained a cult following and she is considered a significant figure in the British folk scene.

Lighthouse Family

• Formed: 1993
• Genre: Pop, Soul
• Notable Albums: ‘Ocean Drive’, ‘Postcards from Heaven’
• Interesting Fact: Lighthouse Family’s debut album ‘Ocean Drive’ was a major success and has sold over 1.8 million copies in the UK.

Lighthouse Family, formed in Newcastle, is a pop and soul duo known for their uplifting songs and smooth harmonies. They achieved several hits in the 1990s and their music continues to be popular.

Maxïmo Park

• Formed: 2000
• Genre: Indie Rock
• Notable Albums: ‘A Certain Trigger’, ‘Our Earthly Pleasures’
• Interesting Fact: Maxïmo Park’s debut album ‘A Certain Trigger’ was nominated for the Mercury Prize.

Maxïmo Park, formed in Newcastle, is an indie rock band known for their energetic performances and catchy tunes. They have gained a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim for their innovative approach to the indie rock genre.

Here’s a summary table of these famous musicians from Newcastle:

Musician/Band	Active	Genre	Notable Works
The Animals	1963 to present	Rock, R&B	‘The Animals’, ‘Animal Tracks’
Venom	1978 to present	Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal	‘Welcome to Hell’, ‘Black Metal’
Vashti Bunyan	1965 to present	Folk	‘Just Another Diamond Day’, ‘Lookaftering’
Lighthouse Family	1993 to present	Pop, Soul	‘Ocean Drive’, ‘Postcards from Heaven’
Maxïmo Park	2000 to present	Indie Rock	‘A Certain Trigger’, ‘Our Earthly Pleasures’

Newcastle’s music scene is as diverse as its Geordie dialect, producing a wide range of artists who have made significant contributions to various genres. From the rock and R&B of The Animals to the heavy metal of Venom, Newcastle has proven to be a cradle of musical talent. So, next time you’re in Newcastle, why not immerse yourself in the city’s rich musical history? Who knows, you might just stumble upon your new favourite tune! And remember, as they say in Newcastle, “Music is the food of love, so let’s have a banquet!”

Cheers, Josh