What’s ON website to help drive awareness of Newcastle’s event economy

A new website capturing everything happening across Newcastle has been launched by City of Newcastle to help locals and visitors make the most of the city’s entertainment options.

Inspired by popular ‘What’s On’ websites in Melbourne and Sydney, What’s ON Newcastle is now the official home of all events across the city, providing an easy to use one-stop-shop for locals and visitors with functionality to search for events according to category, date, accessibility, venue or geographic location.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the website is one of the priority initiatives under City of Newcastle’s Destination Management Plan to create a more vibrant city that supports the arts and cultural sectors.

“Newcastle is an events city, and whether it’s live music, theatre, sports or cinema, there’s always something to do, no matter your interests,” Cr Nelmes said.

“City of Newcastle’s Events Strategy has seen Newcastle continue to grow jobs and expand our visitor economy during the last six years.

“From 2015-2019, Newcastle’s visitor economy moved ahead in leaps and bounds, with a 62% increase in domestic day-trippers and a 16% increase in international travellers, while the value of the tourism economy expanded significantly to be worth $1.127 billion in the 12 months to March 2019.”

Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Declan Clausen, who is the Chair of City of Newcastle’s Strategy and Innovation Advisory Committee, said the events economy is an important local job creator.

“Ongoing investment in events and tourism is integral to building a thriving, diverse and robust economy, which is why we set out to develop a comprehensive Destination Management Plan, along with an updated Events Strategy,” Cr Clausen said.

“These strategic measures are designed to raise awareness of Newcastle and showcase the city’s unique strengths by attracting and developing signature events, as well as growing the business and conferencing events sector.”

City of Newcastle has also awarded the second round of the $20,000 Live Music Grants program, providing incentives of up to $500 per event to encourage 11 Newcastle venues to host live acts during April as part of a commitment to delivering the Live Music Strategy

Thirty live music events funded by the program are taking place between 9 and 20 April to coincide with other significant events across the city, including the World Surf League’s Rip Curl Newcastle Cup, Newcastle SailFest Regatta, Newcastle Seafood Festival, Women’s Rugby 7s, New Run and Newcastle Food Month.

Councillor Carol Duncan said live music events were being promoted on the What’s ON Newcastle website under the ‘Locally Made and Played’ banner, making it the perfect integration of the City’s initiatives to support Newcastle’s live music, events and cultural sectors.

Visit whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au to check it out for yourself. You can also subscribe to the regular What’s ON Newcastle newsletter to receive the best events and updates direct to your inbox.

Live Music grant recipients and gigs

The Rogue Scholar

LaHi, Sunday 11 April, 6-9pm

Daniel March, Saturday 17 April, 7-10pm

Max De Groot, Sunday 18 April, 6-9pm

Beach Burrito Company

Catch live music on Friday 9, Friday 16 and Saturday 17 of April

Wickham Park Hotel

Riff Raff, Saturday 10 April, 7.30pm

Rose Carleo Band, Saturday 17 April, 7.30pm

Flyod Vincent, Sunday 18 April, 6pm

The Duke of Wellington

Greg Bryce, Friday 9 April

Dean Kyrwood, Friday 16 April

Karen O’Shea, Saturday 17 April

The Mark Hotel

Nano, Saturday 10 April, 8-11pm

Daniel Arvidson, Friday 16 April, 8-11pm

The After Party, Sunday 18 April, 5-8pm

The Beaches Hotel

Komiti Levai, Friday 9 April, 6-9pm

Kylie Jane, Wednesday 14 April, 3-6pm

Pete McCredie, Sunday 18 April, 6.30-9.30pm

The Kent Hotel

Catch live music on Friday 9, Monday 12 and Monday 19 April

Racecourse Hotel Wallsend

Coral Lee, Friday 16 April, 6.30-9.30pm

Dave Javier, Saturday 17 April, 6.30-9.30pm

Chloe & Alexine, Sunday 18 April, 3-6pm

The Exchange Hotel

Sound About, Saturday 10 April

Mak Band, Friday 16 April

TBC, Saturday 17 April

Babylon

Half Nelson, Sunday 11 April

Cool Jazz Trio, Sunday 18 April

The Base Health

Thursday 15 April and Friday 16 April, 7pm

Prickly Pear is a multidisciplinary arts performance supporting women and gender diverse creatives of Newcastle. Featuring local and original artists such as Caitlin O'Reilly, RENYEN, Mia Sifflet, Brigitta Dance Projects, Jacinta Rose, Janette Hoppe, Monique Humphreys, Happy to be Here Ceramics, Kodivine, and H.H Art