When football meets music: Rock band Cinnamon Jam joins Newcastle United stars in Seoul

Aaron French performs at a Cinnamon Jam show. Courtesy of Aaron French

Back in March, English football team Newcastle United won the Carabao Cup — their first major trophy in 70 years. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Newcastle United Football Club (NUFC) is rewarding international supporters with preseason events that offer a unique fan experience. The Seoul installment of the tour will feature various events and live music from Daegu-based band Cinnamon Jam.

"Music and football are intrinsically linked," Aaron French, the Newcastle-born guitarist of Cinnamon Jam and one of the event organizers, told The Korea Times. "Whether it's football chants at games or rousing, occasionally embarrassing World Cup songs, football and music go together like chicken and beer."

It was with this philosophy that "Black & White and Full of Colour," the upcoming fan event in Seoul, was born. Scheduled for Friday, Aug. 1, the event represents a historic moment for Newcastle United's global fanbase.

"As this is the club's first time visiting Korea, a group of Korean fans and I helped organize this event," French said.

Alongside bandmate Eonsu Kim, French’s role focused on the technical aspects, particularly the musical equipment setup.

The evening promises to be a treat for Newcastle United fans. Attendees can expect Q&A sessions featuring first-team players and club legends with live Korean translation, plus a presentation of the Carabao Cup trophy. While the exact player lineup remains uncertain, French noted that last year's Tokyo fan event included players like Sandro Tonali and Sean Longstaff. "I'd be grateful to meet any of the Newcastle players," he said, "but if I had to choose, I'd like to meet Alexander Isak, Dan Burn or Anthony Gordon."

The evening will conclude with a performance from Cinnamon Jam. The Daegu-based five-piece plays anthemic rock that fuses elements of Britpop with metal and classic rock.

"We are just a group of close friends who love music and what we do deeply," French said. "We're passionate about sharing our love for music and art and connecting with other like-minded people."

Daegu-based rock band Cinnamon Jam / Courtesy of Cinnamon Jam

French's involvement with "Black & White and Full of Colour" started with some strategic networking. When Newcastle was seeking official supporters clubs, he reached out about establishing one in Daegu. Once rumors of a Korea tour began circulating, he saw an opportunity.

"I cheekily suggested that Cinnamon Jam was available, should they require a band for any fan events," he said. The suggestion paid off when, weeks later, he received an email asking about the band's availability.

The band has something special planned for the Newcastle event, though French remains deliberately cryptic about the details. "We can't say too much at the moment, but if you're a Newcastle fan attending this event, you will not be disappointed," he teased. "All I can say is, bring your singing voice!"

For French, Newcastle's recent Carabao Cup victory carries deep personal significance. After years of supporting a club that had endured long stretches without silverware, the triumph brought tears of relief. "I was in tears. My dad and younger brother were at the game," he recalled.

Aaron French shows a framed photo of his dad taken from a screenshot of a video call during Newcastle's Carabao Cup victory on March 16. Courtesy of Aaron French

The moment was made even more special by a video call with his father at the end of the match. "I kept saying, 'We did it, Dad, we finally did it.' I could see the years of hurt and frustration fade from his face — it was a beautiful thing."

The emotion was so profound that French took a screenshot of that video call, which now sits framed in his apartment.

His father's influence runs deep in his Newcastle allegiance. "It's because of my dad that I'm a Newcastle supporter, and I owe him so much. He's a wonderful role model," he said, highlighting how football fandom often passes through generations.

French hopes to bring this long-standing passion to the event, which is set to be a memorable evening for Newcastle supporters in Korea. As the club makes its historic first visit to the country, they'll do so with a soundtrack provided by a band led by one of their own supporters — proving that football's global community can create some unexpected connections.

The Seoul event runs Friday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. So far the venue and other details have not been disclosed. Click here for more information.

Jamie Finn is chief editor of Debaser Magazine.