Newcastle Gateshead Music City has been launched by Generator and The Glasshouse to boost regional investment, jobs, and education.
- The initiative aims to create a robust music ecosystem, fostering success for musicians and industry professionals in the North East.
- A strategic music plan, supported by a newly established Music Board, will guide this cultural and economic venture.
- Music tourism in the region has seen a significant increase, indicating a promising future for the local music scene.
- Prominent figures like Sam Fender endorse the initiative, emphasising its importance for nurturing local musical talent.
Announced by Generator and The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, the Newcastle Gateshead Music City initiative is set to enhance the region’s economic and educational landscape by harnessing the power of music. The initiative seeks to attract investment, create jobs, and bolster educational opportunities, thereby revitalising the music sector in the North East.
Central to this vision is the creation of a diverse and supportive music ecosystem. This will be achieved through a strategic music plan developed in collaboration with various creative organisations. The strategy will map out the region’s existing music resources and identify growth areas, facilitating easier access to venues, studios, and support systems for musicians.
The Music Board, featuring representatives from a spectrum of the music and business industries, will play a pivotal role in this initiative. Grassroots venues, major record labels, and creative arts entities will collaborate to elevate North East artists, enabling them to cultivate sustainable careers without having to leave the region.
Importantly, the initiative seeks to leverage the burgeoning music tourism sector, which has noted an impressive 29% rise in 2023. This growth underscores the potential for further economic benefits stemming from increased visitor numbers and cultural engagement.
Renowned North Shields singer-songwriter Sam Fender has publicly supported the launch, highlighting the untapped musical potential in the North East. He stresses the need for more resources to nurture local talent, ensuring the region’s musical heritage is recognised and prioritised on a national stage.
The Newcastle Gateshead Music City initiative promises to transform the North East into a thriving music hub, enhancing economic and cultural vitality.
