ONE of the region’s most iconic music venues is being renamed - to stop it being confused with a brand new arena being built right next door.

A multi-million pound arena and convention centre is being built at Gateshead Quays and this will become ‘The Sage’ due to its support from Sage Group plc.

Now the Sage Gateshead, which has stood on the south banks of the River Tyne, for almost 20 years, has launched a campaign to help create a new name and visual identity for the silvery centre.

While organisers are open to suggestions, it is understood Sagey McSageface has already been ruled out.

They are asking audiences, artists, communities, and all those who feel a connection to the charity to share thoughts, memories, photos and ideas.

The Northern Echo: The impressive acoustics of the main hall The impressive acoustics of the main hall

Their #sgchanges campaign will run throughout the summer with stories shared at sagegateshead.com/changes.

The new name will be announced in the autumn – with a new visual identity to come in 2023.

Abigail Pogson, managing director at Sage Gateshead, said: “As we approach our twentieth year, this is an opportunity for us to affirm who we are, how we want to be known, and what we look like.

“We want to capture our first twenty years and look to the next twenty together.

“We also want to make sure things are clear for audiences, artists, donors, trusts, foundations and other supporters as the new Sage Arena is built next door.

“It’s addition to the quayside will make Gateshead Quays a unique destination in the UK.”

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Sage Gateshead supports and celebrates music of all types, for all ages - from classical concerts with Royal Northern Sinfonia to bands and gigs, from music for children and young people to community choirs. It’s also a home for music learning in the North.

The Northern Echo: Royal Northern Sinfonia performing at The Sage Gateshead Royal Northern Sinfonia performing at The Sage Gateshead

The organisation stages over 400 performances a year, learning opportunities for thousands each week, and welcomes 2 million people through their doors annually.

It’s contributed an estimated half a billion pounds to the regional economy.

During the pandemic, thousands donated to Sage Gateshead’s Crisis, Recovery and Renaissance campaign, which is on track to raise £3m.

Now in recovery, the charity has spent the last year talking to communities about the future of live music.

It will unveil a new plan for music-making in autumn 2022 to coincide with its new name.

From today, Thursday June 15, there are three ways people can have their say in #sgchanges:

• Visit sagegateshead.com/changes to share content on a Story Wall

• Use the hashtag #sgchanges to add a video message or photo on social media

• Make a visit to Sage Gateshead’s building where you can leave a message on a postcard

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