New listener in Gateshead approaching (7)
I believe the answer is:
nearing
'approaching' is the definition.
('near' can be a synonym of 'approach')
'new listener in gateshead' is the wordplay.
'new' becomes 'n' (common abbreviation eg NT for New Testament).
'listener' becomes 'ear' (body part which hears or listens).
'gateshead' becomes 'g' (head letter of 'gates').
'n'+'ear'+'in'+'g'='NEARING'
(Other definitions for nearing that I've seen before include "Moving towards" , "Getting close to" , "Approaching" , "Drawing closer to" .)