Meet the 5 Manchester artists showcasing at WOMEX 24:
Agbeko, Dirty Freud, Heather Ferrier, Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet, and Vulva Voce.

Agbeko, Dirty Freud, Heather Ferrier, and Vulva Voce perform live at the Opening Night concert at The Bridgewater Hall on Wednesday, 23 October at 20:00. This exclusive show is hosted by DJ Paulette and directed by Jenna G. 

Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet perform live on the Horizons Stage at Albert Hall on Thursday, 24 October at 00:00 representing Manchester on the regional stage.

AGBEKO

Agbeko are an Afrobeat-inspired juggernaut born out of reverence for music of West Africa in the 1970s and mixed in a cauldron of psychedelic rock, funk, Ethio-jazz, and contemporary UK jazz. Channeled through an onslaught of horns, irresistible grooves and powerful lyrics. Drawing as equally from Fela Kuti and Mulatu Astatke as they do from Led Zeppelin and Woody Guthrie, Agbeko’s songs strive to call out corruption and embolden the collective pull-to-wards societal change and healing in present times. Long-time stalwarts of the UK festival scene, their acclaimed 2023 album,There Must Be Another Way, saw them performing at major festivals across Europe. As Songlines magazine put it: “The spectacular chemistry shared by this large band is electric and emotive”

DIRTY FREUD

Dirty Freud is an electronic live and recording project led by producer Danni Skerritt who has found success since moving to the North of England. Described as “wonderfullywonky” by BBC Radio 6 Music’s Nemone, their music is live electronica wrapped in jazz melodies. Over the years, Dirty Freud has played headline slots at UK festivals including Glastonbury, All Points East, Citadel, Boomtown, Beat-Herder, as well as at gigs across Europe. He has gained keysupport in his journey from Jon More of Coldcut and NinjaTune, Rough Trade and Keep It Dirty Records.

HEATHER FERRIER

Stockport born accordionist, clog dancer and composer, Heather Ferrier, continues her mission to re-define alt-folk on her own terms. Her latest EP Engine for the Sound creates music that sets the accordion free from its stereotypes, and with an extended line-up of musicians, expresses everything Heather stands for using powerful melodies and jazz-influenced harmony. Bold, passionate and enthralling; the EP has been played on BBC Radio 6 Music and has been favourably reviewed in local and national publications. When performing, she is joined by guitarist Alasdair Paul and drummer Adam Stapleford, manifesting a genre-bending collaboration that transcends the limits of contemporary instrumental folk music, employing Heather’s distinct compositional style to create a show with both emotive and upbeat moments.

RÍOGHNACH CONNOLLY & HONEYFEET

Still residing as BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year, Ríoghnach Connolly’s taste for musical adventure is eclectic. Known to many for her involvement in a range of other projects such as The Breath, Afro-Celt Sound System and Band of Burns, she has fronted Honeyfeet since 2008, collectively drawing on a broad terrain of musical textures spanning big-band swing to Alabama blues-tinged folk, psych-soul to floor-thumping funk, all held together by the powerful vocals and flute from Rioghnach. The music evolves through the group dynamic, while Rioghnach writes most of the words, telling honest, personal, heartfelt stories, delivered with her characteristic passion and wit. Equally as proficient in headlining festival stages as they are in adapting to more intimate theatre performances, the band are having their busiest year yet, touring extensively around the UK.

VULVA VOCE

Creating radical musical experiences, Vulva Voce puts performance at the forefront, combining movement, experimentation and improvisation to produce a truly dynamic show. They combine their musical influences of folk, contemporary classical, techno, and beyond, to push the boundaries of how a string quartet can sound, perform and engage with an audience. The music they play is entirely created by women and under-representedartists from across history, including original music and specially commissioned works. Over the past two years, their innovative approach has gained them publicity on the GRAMMYS website, BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio Manchester, TheStrad and Slipped Disc. In March 2024, they attended South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas and most recently performed at Glastonbury Festival 2024.

If you want to immerse yourself in the wider sounds of WOMEX 24 Festival, check out the official playlist curated by Manchester Music City.

WOMEX (Worldwide Music Expo), is excited to announce the full music and film line-up for WOMEX 24 Festival.

WOMEX 24 Festival gives music fans a unique opportunity to access this prestigious music industry event, and discover over 50 live acts from across the world representing a mix of musical genres and styles, including folk, afrobeat, roots, jazz, reggae and electronica. 

WOMEX 24 Festival will take place over 3 nights (24th-26th October) at 5 of Manchester’s most iconic venues – Albert Hall, Manchester Central, O2 Ritz Manchester, HOME and Aviva Studios, the home of Factory International, with an exclusive Opening Night concert at The Bridgewater Hall on 23rd October hosted by Manchester icon DJ Paulette.

Tickets

With live music showcases, club nights and films on offer, audiences can now tailor their festival experience with a choice of 3-Night Festival Passes, 1-Night Festival Passes or 1-Night Venue Passes. Tickets for the film programme at HOME are now also on sale.

In addition to enjoying more acts for less, 3-Night Festival Pass holders will get exclusive access to the prestigious opening concert at The Bridgewater Hall on Wednesday 23rd October. Hosted by Manchester’s very own DJ Paulette with artistic direction by Jenna G, the night will see performances from four artists that represent the breadth of Greater Manchester’s music scene – Agbeko, Dirty Freud, Heather Ferrier and Vulva Voce. 

WOMEX 24 Festival Line-Up

Adédèji (Nigeria) | Ali Doğan Gönültaş (Türkiye) | Amy Laurenson (Scotland/Alba) | Ão (Belgium) | Balimaya Project (England) | Barrut (France) | BIM (Benin International Musical) (Benin) | Buzz’ Ayaz (Cyprus) | Casapalma (Spain) | Cerys Hafana (Wales) | Chakam Ensemble (Iran / Palestine / France) | Clare Sands (Ireland) | Córas Trio (Northern Ireland) | Cristina Clara (Portugal) | D[Nowhere]J (South Africa) | É.T.É (Canada) | Ëda Diaz (Colombia / France) | El Laberinto del Coco (Puerto Rico) | Ensamble B11 (Venezuela) | Erol Josué (Haiti) | Ghazi & Boom.Diwan X Arturo O’Farrill (Kuwait / United Arab Emirates) | Gnoss (Scotland/Alba) | Godblesscomputers (Italy) | Gwenifer Raymond (England) | House of Waters (Japan / Argentina / USA) | Jonathan Ferr (Brazil) | Justin Adams & Mauro Durante (UK / Italy) | Kabaka Pyramid (Jamaica) | Kamakan (Iran / France) | Katarina Barruk (Norway / Sweden) | Lenhart Tapes (Serbia) | Les Mamans du Congo x Rrobin (Congo / France) | Maraboutage presents “Indigo, The Cabaret Club” (World / France) | Mitsune (Japan / Germany) | MPeach (Venezuela / USA) | N’famady Kouyaté (Cymru/Wales) | Orchestra Baobab (Senegal / Benin / Togo) | Queralt Lahoz (Spain) | Rasha Nahas (Palestine / Germany) | Rei (New Zealand) | Rioghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet (Manchester) | Sahra Halgan (France) | Sara Curruchich (Guatemala) | Sarab (Syria / France) | Shauit (Canada) | Stogie T (South Africa) | Strange Boy (Ireland) | Tuulikki Bartosik (Estonia / Sweden) | Votia (La Réunion) | Zarina Prvasevda (North Macedonia)

From traditional music forms to the latest underground sounds, find out more and listen to the WOMEX 24 artists. 

Access

We’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone is able to fully participate and enjoy the event.

All venues offer wheelchair spaces in designated areas. These are limited and reserved on a first come-first served basis. Personal Assistant tickets are available for anyone who requires support to attend the event and must be requested in advance.

If you have specific accessibility questions or requests please get in touch at info@manchestermusiccity.com. Further accessibility information can be found on the WOMEX 24 Festival website.

Photo Credit: Eric van Nieuwland

Following an open call out back in May for artists from Greater Manchester, we are excited to announce the line up, theme and artistic director for the prestigious opening concert on the first night of WOMEX on Wednesday 23 October. 

The theme of the opening concert is Together in Music: We Welcome the World. The world’s first industrialised city, the birthplace of the suffragette movement, the city that split the atom – Manchester’s radical ideas have inspired the modern world. 

But Manchester’s history of innovation – in science, technology, design, and of course music – would not have been possible without the city’s people and communities. A proud international city, Manchester’s globally connected population and open, collaborative spirit is a crucial part of its past, current and future success.

This year’s Opening welcomes 3-Night Festival Pass holders and WOMEX delegates 24 with performances from four artists that represent the breadth of Greater Manchester’s music scene. Eclectic musical styles, united by the Mancunian spirit, all under the artistic direction of Jenna G.

Meet the artists:

Vulva Voce create radical musical experiences with performance at the forefront, combining movement, experimentation and improvisation to produce a truly dynamic show. They combine their musical influences of folk, contemporary classical, techno, and beyond, to push the boundaries of how a string quartet can sound, perform and engage with an audience. The music they play is entirely created by women and underrepresented artists from across history, including original music and specially commissioned works.

Over the past two years, their innovative approach has gained them publicity on the GRAMMYS website, BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio Manchester, The Strad and Slipped Disc. In March 2024, they attended South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas and most recently performed at Glastonbury Festival 2024.

Dirty Freud is an electronic live and recording artist who has found success since moving to the North of England. Described as “wonderfully wonky” by BBC Radio 6Music’s Nemone, their music is live electronica wrapped in jazz melodies. 

Over the years, Dirty Freud has played headline slots at UK festivals including Glastonbury, All Points East, Citadel, Boomtown, Beat-Herder, as well as at gigs across Europe. He has gained key support in his journey from Jon More of Coldcut and Ninja Tune, Rough Trade and Keep It Dirty Records.

Heather Ferrier is a force to be reckoned with, who captivates audiences with musicianship and a sound that is unapologetically her own. An “engaging talker and magnetic performer”(NARC magazine), the Stockport born accordionist, clog dancer and composer is changing the perceptions of alt-folk on her own terms. 

Her latest EP ‘Engine for the Sound’ creates music that sets the accordion free from its stereotypes, and with an extended line-up of musicians, expresses everything Heather stands for using powerful melodies and jazz-influenced harmony. Bold, passionate and enthralling; the EP has been played on BBC Radio 6Music, and has been favourably reviewed in local and national publications.

Agbeko are an Afrobeat-inspired 12-piece juggernaut born out of reverence for music of West Africa in the 1970s and mixed in a cauldron of psychedelic rock, funk, Ethio-jazz and UK jazz. Drawing as equally from Fela Kuti and Mulatu Astatke as from Led Zeppelin and Woody Guthrie, “Agbeko are their own force of nature, with a message, an understanding and a consistent ability to erupt a dance floor” (Groovement).

Agbeko’s latest album, ‘There Must Be Another Way’ was independently released and toured in 2023, and has been featured on BBC Radio 6Music, Worldwide FM, Groove Africa (Ghana), Radio Capital (Italy) and Radio 3 (España). According to Songlines Magazine, “the spectacular chemistry shared by this large band is electric and emotive”.

About the artistic director, Jenna G:

Manchester-born artist Jenna G has been a force in the music scene for over 25 years. Emerging from the city’s vibrant club and pirate radio culture of the late ’90s, she quickly became a staple in the UK Drum & Bass scene with releases on Soul, MetalHeadz, Hospital Records and more. A versatile creative, Jenna has collaborated with legends like Nile Rodgers and Disclosure, and even hosted BBC 1Xtra’s weekend breakfast show.

Only 3-Night Festival Pass holders and delegates can access this performance. With limited wristbands remaining, secure yours now.

This year’s Opening is presented by Manchester Music City, Manchester City Council, Brighter Sound and English Folk Expo. The Artistic Director is Jenna G. 

Supported by Manchester City Council, Arts Council England, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Manchester Airport Group. 

As the host partner for this year’s WOMEX (Worldwide Music Expo), we are excited to announce further details of our legacy programme, WE, THE LEADERS, which will include showcases, leadership training, commissions, industry roundtables, TED-style leadership lectures, a supplementary schools programme for Manchester’s young diaspora communities, and a youth-led music conference for 16-30’s.

Produced by Brighter Sound, WE, THE LEADERS will run alongside the main WOMEX 24 schedule with a focus on supporting and championing the new and emerging trailblazers in the music industry – both in Manchester and across the UK & Ireland.

With its overarching theme of ‘New Voices, New Work, Next Steps’, the programme will animate the city during WOMEX 24 and ensure a long-lasting impact beyond the event,  benefiting thousands of young people, music creators and professionals, with a focus on supporting those who are currently underrepresented within the music industry. 

Kate Lowes, Director, Brighter Sound said: “Hosting the biggest conference of the global music scene in Manchester is an incredible opportunity for our city region and the UK & Ireland more broadly. However we know the industry can be a tough place, particularly for those from marginalised and underrepresented groups. Working closely with our amazing partners and with thanks to our supporters, we will work to ensure a broad range of people at different stages of their music career can make the most of this major event coming to the city, and that the legacy of WOMEX 24 is felt for years to come.”

Made possible with investment from Arts Council England, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and British Council, WE, THE LEADERS has 3 phases of delivery; a pre-WOMEX programme running until October 2024, activity in and around WOMEX itself (23-27 October), and a post-WOMEX programme running through to 2025. 

The following opportunities are now live on Brighter Sound’s website:

• Global Music Leaders in partnership with British Council – an ambitious leadership programme that will upskill, profile and connect a cohort of emerging industry leaders and change makers from the UK & Ireland with their international peers
• Creative Commissions – for Greater Manchester artists and collectives to produce new work that examines or challenges the future of the music industry 
• Young Producers Training – which will culminate in a youth-led music conference for 16-30’s in partnership with Young Manchester and supported by Contact 

In addition, an open call for artists and bands from Greater Manchester to showcase their music at the prestigious opening event of WOMEX 24 at Bridgewater Hall on 23 October is now live on Manchester Music City’s website.

Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester is known the world over as a city of music with a musical heritage that spans home-grown talent, chart-topping innovation and classical creativity. Supporting new and emerging music creators and industry professionals is vital to ensuring our thriving and diverse music scene continues to flourish and this is what makes the WE, THE LEADERS legacy programme so important. We’ve long recognised the powerful role music and culture play in regeneration, creating jobs and other opportunities and we’re determined to do everything we can to support the sector.”

To stay updated about WOMEX 2024 sign up to the Manchester Music City mailing list or follow Manchester Music City on Instagram for regular updates.

Earlier this year, we commissioned the team at the hub to work with us on a project designed to give Manchester’s grassroots music venues a say in how Manchester City Council and partners like us can better support the city’s grassroots
music scene.

As an organisation that brings together people and organisations from across Manchester’s music landscape to support the city’s vibrant music sector and build and sustain an inclusive music ecology, we know how important grassroots music venues are. We also know that for the city’s venues are to survive, they require greater support, and we are committed to playing our part in that.

Against this backdrop, we’re really excited to be working with the team at the hub on this project. Music specialists who grew up working in music venues, they’re real champions
of grassroots music, and the report they did last year to evaluate Arts Council England’s Grassroots Live Music Fund helped unlock £5m new government funding for grassroots
music.

Their approach to this project is deliberately consultative and collaborative, and they’ve built consultation with venues into the heart of the process. Across the project they’ll be:
– doing interviews
– running focus group discussions
– facilitating bigger gatherings of venues from across the city

They’re also talking with reps from other music cities in the UK and overseas to draw on their experience, and will work closely with an Advisory Group whose members include reps from Music Venue Trust, the Association of Independent Promoters and Attitude is Everything. By summer 2024, the aim is to have arrived at a set of recommendations that everyone can get behind and that set out a clear path for supporting the city’s venues.

If you’d like to find out more about the project, we’d love you to get in touch. Use our contact form and we’ll get back to you. We are stronger together, so please do get
involved!

Image: Manchester Collective, Rosewood at The White Hotel. Photo by Chris Payne

Music is front and centre in the New York Times, who have included Manchester in their ‘52 Places to Go’ list for 2024.

It’s going to be a great year for music across the city-region, kicking off with the opening of Co-Op Live, which alongside AO Arena, will make Manchester home to the two of the biggest arenas in the UK. No doubt this is one of the reasons why international music conference WOMEX has chosen the city as its host, when it brings 2,600 music professionals to Manchester in October.

WOMEX takes place each year in a different European city and features a huge trade fair, talks, films and showcase concerts. While the daytime activities are reserved for music industry delegates, the live night-time music events will be ticketed and open to members of the public as well as delegates.

With Manchester Music City at its helm, Manchester’s winning bid was led by the city council with Brighter Sound, English Folk Expo, Marketing Manchester, the hub, Factory International, Horizons, British Council and Arts Council England.  

Hosting WOMEX will put Manchester firmly front and centre of the international music scene with the event expected to attract over 2,600 music professionals and performing artists from around 90 different countries.

Its musical spectrum covers everything from the most traditional of music forms to the latest local underground, embracing folk, roots, jazz and local cultures, alongside urban and electronic sounds from across the globe.

The convention will take place at venues across the city centre – with Manchester Central hosting the main conference and trade fair, and venues including Aviva Studios, Albert Hall, Bridgewater Hall and O2 Ritz all set to host live music showcases, alongside a programme of international films at HOME.

Debra King, Director of Manchester Music City, said: 

“As a city with music in its DNA, where better to host one of the most important international music events in the world. Bringing WOMEX to Manchester in 2024 demonstrates a strong commitment to the value of international music, and of being connected to the global music industry.

“Hosting WOMEX will help us to promote our incredible city region on the world stage, strengthen our reputation as an innovative, diverse and international hub for music, and channel our innovative and creative spirit into supporting new waves of talent. The impact of WOMEX 2024 will be made possible by the partnership with UK and Ireland, ensuring a cultural, social, and economic legacy resonating across the city region, the North and beyond.”

The economic impact of hosting the conference in Manchester is expected to be significant.

Based on similar global events of this size hosted in the UK it’s estimated that the total value of business generated at WOMEX 2024 will be around £28.3m, of which an estimated £5.6m will be generated by UK delegates (see note 2 to editors).

Beyond the value of business done at the event itself, the conference and related live events are expected to provide a direct economic boost to Manchester and the city region of between £2.9m – £3.2m.

The convention is also expected to generate a significant economic impact across the wider UK of between £6.3m – £7.2m.

Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “The figures speak for themselves in terms of the economic impact that hosting WOMEX 2024 on behalf of the UK will have.  But this isn’t just about the numbers.  Just as important will be the real opportunities it will give our musicians and other professionals working in the music industry to network and do business on their own doorstep with their peers from around the globe.

“In Manchester we’ve long recognised the powerful role that music and culture can play in regeneration, creating jobs, and other opportunities, and are determined to do everything we can to support the sector and the people who work in it.”

As well as a packed programme across the five days and nights of the convention, work is also underway to ensure that WOMEX 2024 creates a tangible, lasting legacy for everyone involved in music in Manchester, the North, and across the UK and Ireland.  This work is being led by Manchester based Brighter Sound. 

With an overarching focus on social justice and sustainability, it’s hoped the plans being developed will better help musicians, producers, promoters and other music professionals of all ages – including young people – to make a sustainable living from music , locally, nationally and internationally.

Kate Lowes, from Brighter Sound, said: “Brighter Sound is delighted to be leading on the legacy programme for WOMEX 2024. We’ll be working collaboratively to do this and bringing our passion for inclusion and equality into the heart of the work we deliver. We’re looking forward to working with communities of young creatives, artists and independents from across the region, in partnership with the UK and Ireland, to amplify the amazing work that is already happening and to have a long-lasting impact on the sector for generations to come.”

Whilst the convention itself is aimed at musicians and professionals in the music industry, there will also be a full programme of live music showcases and films that will be put on sale to the general public. 

Tom Besford, from event delivery partner English Folk Expo, said: “Manchester will be an amazing place to host WOMEX. Whilst I’m incredibly excited to welcome the international music industry to our city, it’s even more brilliant to have thousands of tickets available for local audiences to some of the most spectacular worldwide bands. 

“You might not have heard of WOMEX before, but this really is the best gathering of global music anywhere. I hope music lovers from across the region and beyond embrace this once-in-a-generation event to discover life-changing music.”

WOMEX is owned and produced by Berlin-based organisation Piranha Arts, who will be celebrating the event’s 30th anniversary in Manchester in 2024.

Alex Walter, Director, WOMEX, said: “It is wonderful to be in Manchester, marking the 30th anniversary of WOMEX amidst the vibrant cultural boom and diversity of this city. Gathering the global music community in Manchester, alongside friends, collaborators and creative minds from the UK and Ireland and beyond, presents a remarkable opportunity for all. We are all very excited.”

Piranha Arts will be working closely with Manchester Music City and the rest of the Manchester event team over the next year to help market the convention to potential delegates around the world and to help ensure its success.

Sheona Southern, Managing Director at Marketing Manchester, said: “We’re delighted to hear that WOMEX, the pinnacle meeting of the global music industry, is coming to Manchester in 2024. This is a truly significant occasion for the city, which has a rich and illustrious musical heritage that has left a lasting mark on the global music scene. Manchester has always been at the forefront of innovation and creativity in music and hosting WOMEX reaffirms our position as a vibrant and influential hub in the music industry. With over 2,600 professionals and artists from 90 countries converging on the city, we anticipate a remarkable exchange of ideas, sounds, and experiences. This event is a testament to the power of music in the city and we will be delighted to welcome the world to us in 2024.”

WOMEX 2024 is being supported by Arts Council England, British Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and Manchester City Council.

Jen Cleary, Director North, Arts Council England, said:“It is fantastic news that WOMEX is coming to Manchester in 2024 and I’m delighted that we have awarded a grant of £300,000 towards this hugely significant event. Alongside the concerts, trade fair and talks, it will provide an opportunity to showcase the very best of our local music and culture to international promoters as well as highlighting the quality and breadth of the region’s music sector. The accompanying programme working with artists, schools and community music groups will ensure that this global event engages with local audiences and creatives while delivering a positive economic impact to the city. Manchester is well known for its extraordinary music scene and I’m looking forward to seeing it celebrated next October.”

Joel Mills, Director Music, British Council, said:“We’re thrilled that Manchester will be hosting WOMEX in 2024. As a global music conference and showcase, it will offer wonderful opportunities to bring new cultural connections for the city and across the wider UK. We are committed to supporting Manchester Music City to build on our WOMEXchange partnership programme that will nurture and build international relationships that can reflect the exciting and vibrant diversity of its music communities.”

To stay updated about WOMEX 2024 sign up to the Manchester Music City mailing list or follow Manchester Music City on Instagram for regular updates.

We’re delighted to announce that Manchester has been nominated for ‘Best Global Music City’ at the 2023 Music Cities Awards.

We’ve been nominated alongside Sao Paulo, Brazil and Frutillar, Chile.

The winners will be announced on October 18th at an Awards Ceremony on the opening day of the Huntsville Music Cities Convention in Alabama, USA.

You can read more about the nominees on the Music Cities Awards homepage.

All Manchester’s music organisations and promoters were invited to submit suggestions to GMCA to create a longlist of potential candidates. Indicative of the breadth of exciting talent that Greater Manchester has to offer, the longlist was representative of genres as wide ranging as Hip Hop and indie, and included both emerging acts and those already established on the local and international scene.

Discussed by a panel of Manchester music industry professionals over the summer of 2022, the longlist was whittled down. After careful deliberation, two acts were selected to represent Manchester’s varied music scene – avant-pop trio The Orielles and punk band Loose Articles.

GMCA are hopeful to make the delegation an annual event that will grow Greater Manchester’s presence at SxSW year on year, so that international opportunities can be extended to as many artists as possible.

Manchester’s live music economy is second only to London in the UK, according to a 2022 published report conducted by industry specialists Nordicity and Sound Diplomacy.

Commissioned by Manchester City Council and Manchester Music City to review Manchester’s economic landscape, the report found that the total economic impact of Greater Manchester’s music ecosystem between 2019-2020 was £469 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) and 11,270 FTE jobs (FTEs). This comprised a total economic impact of £390 million in GVA and 9,590 FTEs from the music sector, £63 million in GVA and 1,340 FTEs from music tourism and £16 million in GVA and 340 FTEs from the night-time economy.

The research found that Manchester’s live music scene makes up 64% of the ecosystem, while concert producers, booking agents and promoters account for 38% of music businesses in the city, making Manchester a particularly strong live music destination for both audiences and those working in the sector.

The significance of Manchester as a major national hub for classical music education via the Hallé Orchestra, Manchester Camerata and the BBC Philharmonic, was also underlined, while Manchester’s global reach through tourism, events and heritage were highlighted as making Manchester competitive against other music cities.