Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has announced plans to deliver a new music support initiative and is seeking input from the local creative community.
Over the next six months, voices from across the city-region’s music industry are being asked to share their views and feed into a review of the current situation.
Focus will be on how best to nurture, refresh and expand Greater Manchester’s musical strengths, as well as where the music scene can be improved, ensuring that artists are supported to develop sustainable careers.
UK Music will lead on the review, supported by three chairs: Inspiral Carpets’ legend Martyn Walsh, former Sony UK chief executive Ged Doherty - who also chairs the BPI and The Brits, and Karen Boardman, co-director of Crisis Management LLP.
An advisory panel will be set up in the coming weeks with representatives from across Greater Manchester’s diverse music scene.
Running alongside three roundtables, the review will provide a comprehensive assessment of what musical resources are currently available for musicians, music businesses and audiences across all genres of music, from venues and practice spaces to gigs and festivals in Greater Manchester.
Early next year, the review will make recommendations on how Greater Manchester’s status as a music city-region can be enhanced with the cultural and economic benefits to maximise the already thriving scene.
Burnham said: ‘Greater Manchester has led the way when it comes to British music, producing some of the greatest bands this country has ever known from Oasis to The Stone Roses, as well as being home to internationally-renowned orchestras.
‘The music greats of our past inspire young musicians of today. We must build on this, beyond the already well-defined indie legacy, to truly embed culture and the arts in the heart of our communities and give future generations the opportunities to fulfil their creative potential.
‘This review will enable us to support artists, businesses and audiences of all genres so that they are able to get more out of creating the music they love.’
Over the next six months, voices from across the city-region’s music industry are being asked to share their views and feed into a review of the current situation.
Focus will be on how best to nurture, refresh and expand Greater Manchester’s musical strengths, as well as where the music scene can be improved, ensuring that artists are supported to develop sustainable careers.
UK Music will lead on the review, supported by three chairs: Inspiral Carpets’ legend Martyn Walsh, former Sony UK chief executive Ged Doherty - who also chairs the BPI and The Brits, and Karen Boardman, co-director of Crisis Management LLP.
An advisory panel will be set up in the coming weeks with representatives from across Greater Manchester’s diverse music scene.
Running alongside three roundtables, the review will provide a comprehensive assessment of what musical resources are currently available for musicians, music businesses and audiences across all genres of music, from venues and practice spaces to gigs and festivals in Greater Manchester.
Early next year, the review will make recommendations on how Greater Manchester’s status as a music city-region can be enhanced with the cultural and economic benefits to maximise the already thriving scene.
Burnham said: ‘Greater Manchester has led the way when it comes to British music, producing some of the greatest bands this country has ever known from Oasis to The Stone Roses, as well as being home to internationally-renowned orchestras.
‘The music greats of our past inspire young musicians of today. We must build on this, beyond the already well-defined indie legacy, to truly embed culture and the arts in the heart of our communities and give future generations the opportunities to fulfil their creative potential.
‘This review will enable us to support artists, businesses and audiences of all genres so that they are able to get more out of creating the music they love.’
