Grace Petrie

Grace Petrie plays Flamingos Live in Newcastle on Sunday 14 March, as part of her 2027 tour of Australia and Aotearoa. It's a stripped-back folk show, Petrie on her own, and she's one of the UK's most compelling contemporary folk voices. People often compare her to Billy Bragg, and that's a fair place to start: the songs combine sharp political observation with warmth, wit and deeply personal storytelling.

Her latest album, Build Something Better, debuted at number one on the UK Official Folk Albums Chart, and the live shows draw from that material. She describes them as equal parts stand-up, protest rally and communal singalong, so you can expect a set that's as much about the room as it is about the songs. It's not a quiet, sit-still kind of folk night.

Petrie's been a regular visitor to Australia and Aotearoa over the last decade, having first toured here in 2020 and built a loyal following since. This 2027 tour follows the postponement of her 2026 dates, and she's spoken about being deeply moved by the kindness of Australian and New Zealand audiences when that happened. The Newcastle show is part of that return.

If you're familiar with the UK folk scene, you'll know her as a fearless songwriter who doesn't shy away from the political. If you're not, it's a good way to get in: intelligent songs that don't lose their heart, delivered by a singer who's as comfortable talking to the crowd as she is singing to them. The date is Sunday 14 March at Flamingos Live.