Equipment and backline available at this venue. We verify and update this section regularly.
PA system
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer
About The Exchange 1856
The Exchange 1856 is a grassroots music venue in North Shields, North Shields. Bring your own PA, mics and instruments.
The Exchange 1856 books Rock, Pop, Folk, Tribute, Comedy acts. Both original music and covers are welcome. This listing is part of the North Shields venue directory.
The Exchange 1856 is a Grade II listed events and live-music venue on Howard Street in North Shields (NE30 1SE), originally built in 1856 and reborn in 2023 after a major restoration. As one of the North East's leading entertainment venues, it pairs a flexible main hall and purpose-built stage with exceptional in-house sound and professional lighting, behind-the-scenes dressing rooms and an easy-access stage door. The programme spans live music, tribute shows, comedy, theatre and DJ nights across every genre, with past performers including Lindisfarne and SHE The Show, plus comedians Justin Moorhouse and Mark Watson. Brown's Bar & Kitchen and The Lounge coffee bar share the building, which also hosts weddings and private events. Note: the imported 'London / Maida Hill' location is incorrect — this venue is firmly in North Shields, Tyne and Wear.
Have you played here? Was the backline info accurate? One tap, no sign-up required.
Find The Exchange 1856
Howard Street, North Shields, North Shields, NE30 1SE
What should you charge for a gig here? Check live UK rates by role, city and venue size. Based on 3,798 verified rate observations.
The Exchange 1856 isn’t in the Newcastle top 10 yet — these are the front-runners of its 19 ranked rooms,
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Common Questions
Seven things people ask about booking The Exchange 1856.
BYO all equipment — PA, mics, and instruments. For venues with gear provided, see the North Shields venue directory.
The Exchange 1856 books Rock, Pop, Folk, Tribute, Comedy. Both original music and covers are welcome. Browse artist profiles by genre on GigXchange.
Sign up free on GigXchange to view The Exchange 1856’s booking contact, fee range, and submission process. Most grassroots venues accept email submissions with a link to your music or EPK. Check current UK fee benchmarks before quoting.
Capacity data is pending for The Exchange 1856. Sign up to contribute or contact the venue directly.
Open mic information is not currently listed for The Exchange 1856. Browse the North Shields Open Mic Finder for nearby open mics.
Howard Street, North Shields, North Shields, NE30 1SE. See the map below for directions. Browse more North Shields venues nearby.
Fee ranges are available to signed-up artists on GigXchange. Grassroots venue fees in North Shields vary by event type, band size, and whether the deal is a flat fee or door split. The GigXchange Rate Calculator shows current UK percentiles.
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