A new Liverpool City Region Music Board is to be created in conjunction with a local Music Network Group to promote the city’s musical heritage, support new talent and safeguard its cultural infrastructure. The aim is to establish Liverpool as one of the world’s music capitals and to harness the knowledge, experience and innovation evident throughout Liverpool’s music industry.
The establishment of a Liverpool City Region Music Board is the result of two independent reports which examined the city’s grassroots music scene and to address a number of perceived issues relating to the region’s music industry. The first report was the product of a partnership with local arts and culture publication, Bido Lito! and Liverpool John Moores University entitled, Liverpool Music City? which was then used to form the basis of a local authority report Culture Liverpool, Developing a Liverpool City of Music Strategy.
Both studies recommended the need for a city-wide music strategy to be shaped and delivered by a) the establishment of a Liverpool City Region Music Board and b) the creation of a new leadership role – a Head of UNESCO City of Music position – this person would act as a key point of contact and advisor to the Liverpool music sector, industry, venues and organisations.
The board will be modelled on similar initiatives currently being rolled out in London and San Francisco which were created to oversee rescue plans for music venues across their respective cities. The board’s remit also includes prioritising pro-cultural planning and licensing policies and to increase music tourism and inward investment.
The board would also be responsible for improving transport links for fans and improving access to music education and rehearsal spaces. The board will be community and industry led working closely with Liverpool City Region local authorities to build on the success of Liverpool’s status as a UNESCO City of Music. It’s clear from the data sourced from both the aforementioned reports that Liverpool’s music scene is in a strong position:
- The total direct and indirect spending by music tourists to the City Region in 2016 was £135 million
- The total live music audience in the Liverpool City Region in 2016 was 937,000
- Festivals in the City Region area in 2016 generated £23.3 million and drew a total audience of 237,000
- Live events in the Wirral and St Helens generated £1.2 million each in box office spend in 2016
- 22,834 people went to gigs and festivals in Sefton in 2016 generating £929,000 in spend
However, the aim of the board will be to bring together all of the great work already going on and to bring some organisation and forward planning to ensure that Liverpool’s status as a cultural epicentre is cemented throughout the world.
If you are involved in any part of the music industry (or know someone who is) then be sure to get involved. What better way to help shape the future of Liverpool’s music scene than to add your voice to the proceedings. Applications are open to everyone, so if you feel you have something to contribute then don’t hesitate to put yourself forward. There will be an open process to recruit to the board to ensure that a range of skills, knowledge and experience are included.
To apply contact iain@bop.co.uk using the subject line ‘Liverpool City Region Music Board expression of interest’. The deadline for applications is 6th August 2018.
