The launch of Newcastle Gateshead Music City by Generator and The Glasshouse International Centre for Music has been made public.

This initiative aims to drive local investment, boost jobs, and supercharge education and skills. Newcastle Gateshead Music City will empower the region’s musicians and music professionals to succeed within a thriving music ecosystem. Newcastle Gateshead Music City will work to bolster audience engagement and discovery of live music. The initiative has set the goal to generate between 2,000 and 4,000 jobs related to music, with a £750 million increase in contribution to the local economy from the music sector.

North East mayor, Kim McGuinness said in a press release, “For generations, North East music has shaped our region’s identity and powered our dreams. But for too long it has been treated as an optional add-on to our economic success. As North East mayor I’m working with people from across our region to put the creative economy at the centre of our plans for economic growth. That means not just more fabulous music coming from talented local artists, but also space for recording, backing for live music and, crucially, a skills plan for the creative industries. The music city project will help make these plans a reality not just in Newcastle and Gateshead but across our North East, and I look forward to working with The Glasshouse, Generator and musicians across the region on delivering these plans.”

Moving forward, the Newcastle Gateshead Music City office and Music Board will be established as a collaboration between The Glasshouse and Generator. It will also begin commissioning research and recruiting to create a visionary music strategy.