Prepare for the Great North Rave taking place on Friday

North-East event, the Great North Rave, is taking place this Friday for its first in-person party.

It’ll be taking over Newcastle’s club Digital, with a line-up consisting of artists who ‘represent the culture of dance music in the North East’.

All profits from the event will be split between mental health charity Mind and Street Warriors UK, who support low-income families across the North East region.

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“I started putting ideas down for the Great North Rave charity event about two years ago now during the first lockdown,” explains founder Leon Steele. “I was dealing with some personal struggles with mental health and planning the Great North Rave really got me out of the hole I was in.

“I made it my goal to do something huge for charity and I thought of no better way to do it than combining it with my love for the rave scene and putting on a huge party for the people.”

Due to various restrictions, Steele’s initial event plans got delayed due to the pandemic, so he opted to host live-streamed events at iconic North East locations such as Penshaw Monument, South Shields Fairground and Digital nightclub, soundtracked by DJs who embrace the region’s dance music culture.

“We attached a funding link so people could donate and the money would go to a food bank close to whichever location we did the livestream,” Steele explains.

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Now moving full steam ahead with an in-person party, the Great North Rave is going ahead on Good Friday at Digital in Newcastle City Centre. Spanning across the three rooms are names including Richy Ahmed, Seb Zito and James Burton.

There will be a room consisting of North East based Makina DJs and MCs, with the third room a spot to showcase local rising talent in the industry.

You can grab tickets to The Great North Rave here, with all profits being split between Mind and Street Warriors charities.

Niamh Ingram is Mixmag’s Weekend Editor, follow her on Twitter