Mr Wilson’s Second Liners Live

NOVUM Festival 2026

7 - 9 august 2026

Newcastle City Centre

A riotous street party where New Orleans brass band energy collides with 90s rave anthems, transforming Newcastle city centre into a joyful, high-energy explosion of music, dancing, colour, and full-on carnival chaos.

About Mr Wilson's Second Liners Live

Get ready for a riotous brass band street party as Mr Wilson’s Second Liners bring New Orleans parade culture and 90s rave anthems crashing into the heart of Newcastle.

Bursting through the city with booming brass, massive club classics, colourful costumes, and infectious energy, this mischievous northern collective transforms the streets into a moving carnival of dancing, joy, and full-on festival chaos. Inspired by the famous New Orleans “Second Line” parades, you’re invited to follow the band, join the procession, and lose yourself in a euphoric celebration of music, movement, and rave culture.

WHAT TO EXPECT

A lively festival atmosphere bursting with brass, beats, dancing, and feel-good energy.
A joyful walkabout performance blending New Orleans parade culture with iconic 90s rave anthems.
Live brass musicians, colourful costumes, and spontaneous street party vibes throughout.
Themes of celebration, community, togetherness, and collective joy.
Audiences are invited to follow the band, join the procession, dance along, or simply soak up the atmosphere.

PERFORMANCE TIMES AND LOCATIONS

11.30am performance starts on Grey Street
What3words: taps.gained.stream

2.30pm performance starts on Northumberland Street
What3words: dinner.regime.sweep

4.45pm performance starts outside Great North Museum
What3words: meant.bleak.yappy

GOOD TO KNOW

Performance duration: approximately 30 minutes.
Audiences are free to come and go; stay for five minutes or follow the band’s journey.
Suitable for all ages.
The performance moves through Newcastle city centre, so audiences can walk with the band or stop and watch.
Dancing is encouraged, but you’re equally welcome to enjoy from the sidelines.
Expect live brass music, high-energy movement, and big festival party vibes throughout.

The Band

Mr Wilson’s Second Liners are an anarchic UK-based brass band that mashes up traditional New Orleans Street celebrations with 1990s club classics. Billed as a “rave funeral without the body,” they are a theatrical, uniformed group of Northern musicians honouring the Hacienda club culture and music icon Tony Wilson.

For any questions or accessibility about Mr Wilson’s Second Liners or any NOVUM programmed events or performances email: novum@newcastle.gov.uk