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.