Manchester newest member of global music network

Manchester will connect with cities across the globe as it becomes the latest member of the Music Cities Network.

Music Cities Network (MCN) is a world-wide collection of cities committing to build stronger connections through music policies, and collaborating to provide opportunities for musical businesses, artists and education.

Manchester was invited to join the network as part of a recent collaboration with the Danish city of Aarhus, and will be welcomed into this cohort as one of the newest members alongside the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik and the Norwegian city of Bergen.

The recent Greater Manchester Music Review illustrated the power of music within Manchester and the surrounding area.

Iconic British bands like Oasis and Joy Division were born in and inspired by the people and places of Manchester. And, in more recent times, new groups such as Blossoms and Everything Everything have proudly continued that musical legacy.

The city also plays host to renowned musical events such as Off the Record, Manchester Jazz Festival, Manchester Folk Festival and Manchester International Festival and is home to incredible venues including as the Bridgewater Hall, Mayfield Depot and Band On The Wall.

MCN was founded to promote four core principles. They are:

Improving cities through music policies and collaborative projects;

Building greater networks and creating an actionable agenda for change;

Providing and sharing information and research surrounding global music cities activities & policies;

Facilitating exchange and collaboration for music business, artists, cultural institutions and education.

A launch event will take place October with partners from across music genres and specialisms invited to shape plans for Manchester’s new status as a Music City. 

Councillor Luthfur Rahman, Executive Member for Skills, Culture and Leisure for Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester is one of the most celebrated cities in the world when it comes to musical talent and our membership of the Music Cities Network is a brilliant indication of our future direction.

“We know that music has the power to inspire, uplift and change lives which is why we are so excited about the prospect of being able to tap into a vast network of ideas, support and inspiration across the MCN.”

Kathy McArdle, Director forEngland and Cities at the British Council, said: “The British Council is really pleased that Manchester has joined this dynamic network of Music Cities in both parts of the globe. Music is a global language that crosses international barriers and brings people together and this network gives Manchester the chance to share its experience of growing musical talent and engaging people with music as well as learning from the vibrant music scenes of the other cities.

“The great thing about this network is that it encourages and supports its members to develop a long-term music strategy and policy for the city involving all of the stakeholders, so this will bring long-term benefit and impact for the very diverse music sector in the city through international collaboration.”

www.musiccitiesnetwork.com

Members of the Music Cities Network

Aarhus
Berlin
Groningen 
Hamburg
Nantes
Sydney

New Members

Bergen
Manchester
Reykjavik