Live Review: Ziggy Alberts - NX, Newcastle 19/10/2025
On a rainy Sunday evening, all I really wish for is to listen to mesmerising, contemplative world pop songs performed by an artist as genuine as they come. Last Sunday Ziggy Alberts fulfilled that wish at Newcastle’s NX.
Support came from pop artist Áine Deane who warmed the crowd with her angelic voice, soft guitar play and songs of heartbreak. As she moved about the stage between guitar and keys, she connected with her audience through short stories of, mostly, love lost. A personal favourite was her cover of Katy Perry’s ‘The One That Got Away’, which she completely made her own. Although it is tough to keep the attention of a crowd waiting for someone they’ve potentially never seen live before, Deane did a wonderful job performing her short stories.
A warm yet impatient crowd got treated to a beautiful introduction to Ziggy Alberts through a spoken word recording that echoed throughout the venue. As soon as Alberts started playing I was captivated. There aren’t many artists that bring such passion for their craft to the stage, and as he shared this passion with his audience, Ziggy became a friend of us all. All he needed was his voice, a guitar, and a stompbox, to wrap about two thousand people around his fingers. As he performed his songs about life, the earth, and love, he conveyed a message weaved throughout all of his songs; to always take care of one another. It was one of the rules he shared with his audience at the start of the evening, and that rule was adhered to by all at NX.
One of the first songs on the setlist was what introduced me to his stunning repertoire, single and album title track ‘New Love’, also from the new album ‘I’m With You’ and ‘Where Does The Love Go?’, as well as older releases ‘Warm Coffee’, and ‘Days in the Sun’ passed the revue. Most songs were sung along wholeheartedly by the crowd, which made for a very warm atmosphere. The Geordies welcomed the Australian with open arms, and throughout the night I could see him coming into his own, as he smiled from the start until the very end and shared jokes and personal stories with his adoring fans.
Ziggy Alberts made the stage, and the venue, his living room, as he played barefoot and gave all of us our front row moment throughout the night. Although he’s been touring the UK for over ten years, this was his first time in Newcastle, which made this evening that bit extra special. I would give away more of what the night entailed, however the magic of live music is that not one night is the same, even if an artist performs the exact same songs time and time again. Alberts embodies that magic and knows how to use it to his advantage, as he releases all of his own music, his fans are who keep his dreams alive, for which he showed all of his appreciation. This surprise-filled evening of live music was a night to remember from the very beginning until the very end.
Words by Laura Rosierse
Photography by Celia Medina
