Newcastle Gateshead Music City: A Game-Changer For The North East's Music Scene

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music and music development agency Generator have unveiled an exciting new initiative: Newcastle Gateshead Music City. This transformative project is set to revolutionize the North East’s music industry by driving investment, boosting music tourism, and creating a direct pathway between education and music careers in the region.

Newcastle Gateshead Music City is designed to empower local musicians and music professionals to thrive in a robust and vibrant ecosystem, providing career opportunities to rival any in the UK. The initiative aims to establish the region as a national music powerhouse, positioning it on the global stage for music and creative industries.

Building a Music Hub for the North East

At the heart of the project, The Glasshouse and Generator will establish a Newcastle Gateshead Music City office. This office will spearhead several key initiatives, including:

• A visionary music strategy: This strategy will be developed in collaboration with other creative organizations in the region to use music as a tool for economic growth and community support.
• Mapping the music ecosystem: By researching the region's current assets and potential for growth, the project will create a comprehensive map of venues, studios, and resources available to musicians, making it easier for them to access support.
• Creating a Music Board: The board will feature representatives from music, business, and the creative industries, including grassroots venues, studios, and major labels. Its goal is to help local artists build sustainable careers within the North East.

Boosting Music Tourism and Job Creation

Music tourism in the region has already seen significant growth, with a 29% increase in 2023, according to figures from UK Music. Newcastle Gateshead Music City will capitalize on this upward trend, attracting even more visitors to discover and enjoy the North East's live music scene. The project has ambitious goals, including creating between 2,000 and 4,000 music-related jobs and contributing an additional £750 million to the local economy.

Regional Support from Leading Figures

Prominent North East figures have voiced their strong support for the initiative. Kim McGuinness, North East mayor, emphasized the importance of integrating music and the creative industries into the region’s economic plans. She noted, "For generations, North East music has shaped our region’s identity and powered our dreams. The Music City project will help make these plans a reality, not just in Newcastle and Gateshead, but across our North East."

Award-winning singer-songwriter Sam Fender, a proud North Shields native, also backed the initiative, stating, "Music is an integral part of our culture that has been neglected historically in the North East. It’s about time we put more resources into nurturing our local talent to ensure it is taken seriously as a priority sector."

Generator’s Pivotal Role

The North East-based Generator agency has played a crucial role in shaping Newcastle Gateshead Music City. Over the past two years, the organization has formed partnerships with major labels such as EMI North and Warner UK, exposing some of the industry's most influential figures to the region's untapped potential.

Mick Ross, CEO of Generator, underscored the unique opportunity the project presents, saying, "Newcastle Gateshead has the perfect ecosystem of development organizations like Generator, existing and future venues, educational facilities, and industry investment. Now is the time for all those component parts to come together and make Music City happen."

Future Prospects

Alongside the efforts in Newcastle and Gateshead, other North East regions are also contributing to this burgeoning music movement, including Sunderland Music City and Sonic Futures in Tees Valley. Together, these projects are creating a cohesive music strategy that will not only boost local talent but also position the entire region as a beacon for musical innovation and creativity.

Wendy Smith, Creative Director of The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, spoke of the broader community benefits, saying, "This Music City will be for everyone, impacting people of all ages and from all walks of life in our region."

The launch of Newcastle Gateshead Music City follows another exciting announcement for the region: the MOBO Awards will be held in Newcastle in February 2025, further highlighting the growing national attention on the North East's diverse and dynamic music scene.

With backing from local institutions, artists, and major players in the music industry, Newcastle Gateshead Music City promises to be a catalyst for continued growth, helping the North East shine as a thriving hub for musicians, fans, and music professionals alike.

You can find out more at The Glasshouse

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Header image: Wendy Smith of The Glasshouse and Mick Ross of Generator at The Assembly Rooms for Generator Live