Newcastle Gateshead Music City launches to enhance the local music scene.
- The initiative aims to drive investment and create thousands of jobs.
- Prominent figures like Sam Fender back the transformative project.
- A strategic plan will map and develop the region’s music ecosystem.
- The project promises an economic boost of £750 million.
Newcastle Gateshead Music City has been launched by Generator and The Glasshouse International Centre for Music to invigorate the music scene in the North East. The initiative focuses on driving investment, creating jobs, and enhancing education and skills in the music sector, thereby empowering local musicians and professionals to thrive. The establishment of an office for Newcastle Gateshead Music City by The Glasshouse and Generator promises a strategic approach to music industry growth.
This initiative seeks to establish a forward-thinking music strategy in collaboration with creative organizations across the region. This will be supported by vital research, including mapping the existing music ecosystem, thereby facilitating musicians’ access to venues, studios, and other essential resources.
A Music Board comprising representatives from the music, business, and creative industries will be formed to support North East artists in launching and maintaining successful careers from the region. The rise in music tourism, at a rate of 29% in 2023, underscores the increasing interest in the North East’s live music experiences.
The project aspires to generate between 2,000 and 4,000 music-related jobs and increase the local economy’s contribution by £750 million. Award-winning singer-songwriter Sam Fender has expressed his full support for the initiative, emphasizing the region’s historical musical heritage and the need to invest resources in nurturing local talent.
The strategic alliances formed by Generator with major record labels like EMI North and Warner UK demonstrate the North East’s potential as a music hub. CEO Mick Ross describes this as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ to showcase the region on a global platform for music and creative industries.
Newcastle Gateshead Music City will work alongside initiatives such as Sunderland Music City and Sonic Futures to position the North East as a national powerhouse in music. The project aims to build a resilient music ecosystem that embraces its historical and contemporary strengths, promising an exciting future for musicians of all ages and backgrounds.
Wendy Smith of The Glasshouse highlights the potential for growth in skills and job creation, underscoring the broader social impact of enabling children and young people to engage with music. The announcement of the MOBO Awards in Newcastle further highlights the region’s growing recognition.
Ultimately, Newcastle Gateshead Music City strives to build a vibrant and cooperative music economy, transforming the region into a significant international locale for music enthusiasts.
Newcastle Gateshead Music City stands as a beacon of transformation, poised to elevate the region’s music scene on both national and international stages.
