Newcastle singer-songwriter Jamie Lee Harrison has enjoyed a remarkable 12 months, from performing for Newcastle United players during a pre-season trip to Spain to having his music played to thousands at St James' Park and featuring on a major Netflix show.
The 30-year-old from Gateshead, a proud Geordie and big NUFC fan, narrowly missed out on a place in the final of Britain's Got Talent in 2017. Since then, he has written and recorded around the world, including in Sweden and Poland, working on his own tracks and music for other artists, while remaining an in-demand act for pubs, bars and weddings across the North East and beyond.
A summer with the Toon in La Manga
Summer 2026 proved particularly memorable for Jamie when he was picked to join United's pre-season training camp at La Manga, serenading the players with a few tunes when they weren't training. The trip came at a time of major changes for the club, with the exit of Eddie Howe and the arrival of new boss Mattias Jaissel.
Speaking to ChronicleLive on the eve of United v Villa, Jamie explained how his relationship with NUFC came about: "A friend of mine works as one of the player liaisons has been a big supporter of mine for years and I sang at her friend's wedding who also worked at the club and just from there really."
"Whenever they needed a singer I seemed to be the one they asked. It's been lush to be involved in their events and be part of everything that's going on."
From St James' Park to Netflix and ABBA's studio
As part of new signings' initiation into life at NUFC, players were asked to get up and give a song in La Manga. Jamie said he has had "loads of them follow me on Insta and liking my stuff, especially when I went out to La Manga."
"They came up to me after; there wasn't one player who didn't come up and shake my hand. Going over and doing something like that is massively nerve wracking you know."
United also played a part in another highlight for Jamie when his single Without You Love was not only played at St James' Park but also fully introduced to the crowd. His music has also reached a wider audience this year, as Netflix picked up a track with Jamie's vocals for one of its biggest shows, Queer Eye.
Jamie has also recorded in the same studio as Swedish legends ABBA, and his Eurovision links extend beyond the super group, as he has written for ex Polish entrant LUNA, with an advert for her album appearing on a billboard in New York's Times Square.
Future plans and new music
Jamie, who has also worked with Canadian DJ Sickick, teased an exciting and rather unexpected collab with Geordie dance icon Schak and has a full album of new material ready to go.
"I want to try and build the momentum and keep it going with my songs and song writing and release new music," he said. "I also want to get my own vinyl out in the next year as well. It is really tough now in the music industry right now, with AI and everything, but there's definitely more opportunities in the North East, with things like the Mercurys happening here."
"Ten years ago, when I was just starting out, there was nothing, I was at my wits end trying to figure out what to do. AI is killing the industry but it's also highlighting the need for human connection and live performances."
