Concerthall needs help changing its name
NewsThe people who run Sage Gateshead in the north-east of England think its name is no longer fit for purpose.
Here’s what they are sending out:
Today Sage Gateshead launches a campaign to help create a new name and visual identity for the iconic music centre. They’re asking audiences, artists, communities, and all those who feel a connection to the charity to share thoughts, memories, photos and ideas.
People are invited to join in online or at Sage Gateshead. 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.
Let’s offer some suggestions:
Tyne hangar
Bubble and squeak
Geordie shore
Mr Blobby
Royal muddle
Sagey McSageface
Is it really bust? (ie “If it ain’t bust”…)
“A new visual identity”… are they going to demolish and rebuild?!
I am certain that they wouldn’t honour the great inventor Armstrong by renaming the building after him…
Visual identity is marketing speak for new logo and branding.
It is because they’re building ‘The Sage’ behind it, and you can’t have two places with such similar names close to each other. Sage is an accounting firm who has sponsored both buildings.
Tyne Arts Centre. Or Tyne Performing Arts Centre.
Easily recognisable based on the area it’s located in.
Presumably this means that Sage Group has ended its sponsorship. If that’s the case then replacing the income might be a bigger challenge than finding a new name.
Everyone here refers to it as The Sage which works well. The company Sage, however, has now purchased (for £10m) naming rights for an adjacent conference centre and arena (now being built) which is going to be called …. The Sage. Hence the need for a new name. A bit of a shambles really, but the name goes with the money.
Well . . . if Sage is pulling out then I suppose the name must change. But it’s a pity, because the name is any venue’s (or product’s) greatest asset, along with its packaging, and the thing people recognize and look for. I hope they find a suitable alternative, but this is always going to be a problem when a sponsor insists that its name is used to identify a product.
Yes and in a way it’s unfortunate that this venue had the name Sage from the outset.
If Telefonica decided to stop sponsoring the O2 it could simply revert to Millennium Dome.
The Fat Slag
The Sid the Sexist Memorial Performing Arts Centre
There is an announcement that ‘we are changing our name’ on the website. But as far as I can tell they are not asking for name suggestions. It’s a trawl for marketing information e.g. memorable moments, what makes it special, what would you like to see, photos, etc.
The centre received support from Sage (NE software company) and there is rivalry in supporting the arts between Gateshead and Newcastle with the latter in a pathetic second place. Hence the name.
There used to be a notice on the stage door to remind performers that it was the Sage Gateshead and not the Sage Newcastle. I don’t know if it is still there.
It needs to change. It’s difficult to get to if you don’t want to drive, and expensive to park if you do. The atrium is magnificent but lacks internal atmosphere. The food and drink is overpriced and the shops sell overpriced tat. The website is poor and everything is marred by the overblown arts marketing that puts you off going.
Great performing spaces through and enormous potential.
No corporate sponsor? Here in America we have:
– Climate Pledge Arena (Seattle)
– FexEx Field (Washington DC – actually Landover MD).
– Guaranteed Rate Field (Chicago)
And many others…
Surely our friends on the other side of the pond can do better?
Concert hall builds a good reputation and then changes its name.
Brilliant.
It’s been forced upon them unfortunately.
If indeed Sage are pulling out taking their name next door, then the current cost of living crisis tells you the next name for a performing arts centre should be sTage. That way you only need a sharpie pen to update everything! Simples
In this Jubilee year how about The Queen’s Gateshead Hall? Used to be a Queen’s Hall in London but the blitz destroyed it.
So you think Her Majesty will stump up the sponsorship money?
Gleaming Office Building Music Centre
Symphony Hall Gateshead.
To change from Sage is not wise.
Onion Gateshead