Open Mic & Buskers Nights Near Morpeth
From a long-running Sunday folk session at the Tap and Spile to live music Fridays at the Sun Inn and weekend sets at the Black and Grey, here is where to find open mic and live acoustic nights in Morpeth.
For a small market town, Morpeth punches well above its weight when it comes to live music. On any given weekend you can find folk sessions, acoustic sets, and full bands playing in pubs across the town centre. Whether you are a performer looking for a stage or a listener after a good night out, here is a guide to the venues that keep Morpeth's live music scene ticking over.
The Tap and Spile — Sunday Folk Session
The Tap and Spile on Manchester Street is best known as a multiple CAMRA Northumberland Pub of the Year winner, but it also hosts one of the most established traditional music sessions in the area. Every Sunday at noon, folk and traditional musicians gather in the back room for an informal jam session.
The format follows the traditional convention of three repeats per tune, which makes it accessible for newer players as well as seasoned instrumentalists. Fiddles, whistles, concertinas, guitars, and the occasional set of Northumbrian smallpipes all feature. The session has its own Facebook group — Morpeth Tap & Spile Traditional Music Session — where regulars share tunes and updates.
Best for: A proper Sunday session in a proper real ale pub. Listeners are just as welcome as players.
The Black Bull — Thursday Live Music
The Black Bull on Bridge Street, a Grade II listed coaching inn overlooking the River Wansbeck, hosts live music on Thursday evenings. The programme varies from week to week, taking in solo acoustic acts, duos, and full bands.
With six handpulls of real ale and a large beer garden, this is one of the most atmospheric places to catch a gig in Morpeth. Check the pub's Facebook page for the latest line-up.
Best for: Live music on Thursdays in one of Morpeth's best-loved pubs.
The Black and Grey — Weekend Live Lounge
The Black and Grey on Newgate Street is a 17th-century coaching inn with a lively weekend entertainment programme. The venue hosts live music throughout Friday and Saturday evenings and runs a live lounge on Sundays.
The pub has built a reputation for a good mix of genres, from acoustic singer-songwriters to rock and blues acts. Cocktails, a well-stocked gin selection, and real ales make it a popular spot for a full evening out.
Best for: Live music across the weekend in a characterful Newgate Street coaching inn.
No. 59 The Townhouse — Friday Live Nights
No. 59 The Townhouse on Bridge Street hosts live music on Friday evenings, with performers typically starting around 8pm. The venue's handsome mid-1800s building, overlooking Telford Bridge and the River Wansbeck, gives the evening a sense of occasion.
Solo acoustic artists and singer-songwriters are regulars on the Friday bill. Combine the music with a meal from the restaurant menu or drinks at the bar for a proper Friday night in Morpeth.
Best for: Acoustic acts on Fridays in one of Bridge Street's finest buildings.
The Sun Inn — Friday Night Bands
The Sun Inn at High Church, near St Mary the Virgin, hosts local bands every Friday night from around 9pm. The pub has a large open-plan interior with a warm, welcoming atmosphere that suits live music well.
The Sun Inn is slightly out of the town centre, which gives it a neighbourhood-pub feel. It is a popular choice for locals who want good music without the crowds of Bridge Street.
Best for: Local bands every Friday in a friendly pub just above the town centre.
The Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering
If you are interested in live music in Morpeth, the annual Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering is unmissable. Held each spring, this three-day heritage festival celebrates Northumbrian music, dance, dialect, and tradition. The programme includes concerts, ceilidhs, workshops, piping recitals, and sessions in pubs across the town.
The Gathering has been running since 1968 and is one of the most important folk festivals in the North of England. Even if you do not attend the main events, the overflow of musicians into Morpeth's pubs during Gathering weekend makes for a special atmosphere.
Tips for Performers
If you are a musician looking for a place to play, a few things are worth knowing. The Tap and Spile session on Sundays is the most open and accessible — you can turn up with an instrument and join in. For the other venues, it is best to contact the pub directly via their social media pages to ask about booking or open mic slots.
Morpeth also has a strong tradition of busking in the town centre, particularly around Bridge Street and the Market Place on Wednesdays and Saturdays when the market is on. Northumberland County Council does not currently require a licence for busking in Morpeth, though performers should be considerate of shops and pedestrians.
A Musical Town
Morpeth has a richer live music scene than many people realise. Between the established folk session at the Tap and Spile, the regular weekend programme at the Black and Grey, and the Friday night lineups at the Sun Inn and No. 59, there is something on most evenings of the week. Add in the Northumbrian Gathering each spring and the Morpeth Music Society's concert programme at the Methodist Church, and this is a town where live music is very much part of the fabric.
Know an open mic night we've missed? Get in touch.