Hull is the latest city targeting UNESCO City Of Music status, following Liverpool, Glasgow, Belfast and London.
Today sees the launch of a newly-created Hull Music Board specifically to oversee a five-year music plan as part of this ambition.
City Of Music status by UNESCO is in recognition of musical heritage, a vibrant music scene and commitment to integrating music into urban development.
This designation is part of the broader UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), which promotes cooperation among cities that prioritise creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable development.
Should Hull be successful in 2027, it would also join Kingston, Jamaica, Seville and Bogotá among 75 such cities across all continents.
Hull’s musical heritage includes The Beautiful South, Everything But The Girl, The Paddingtons, Calum Scott, BBC 6 Music favourites Life and shoegaze band Bdrmm, as well as rising stars Fiona Lee, Jodie Langford and Chiedu Oraka, who will support Coldplay at Craven Park for two sold-out shows in August.
An art trail in the Hull area earlier this year paid tribute to David Bowie collaborator Mick Ronson, who was a member of local band The Rats in the 1960s.
“Hull’s music scene is packed full of exciting talent, but it needs a support network and investment to back artists and help them break through,” said Life’s Stewart Baxter. “It’s great to hear the city has ambition for its creative sectors and we look forward to seeing what the new music board delivers.”
“This city owes it to itself to highlight and support all the talented individuals that are coming through,” added Chiedu Oraka. “I’ve got an exciting six months coming up, kicking off with supporting Coldplay at Craven Park, which will be a huge moment for both me and the city itself, I hope this is the start of something proper special for everyone.”
Artist development in the city is underpinned by a network of local venues, including the award-winning Adelphi Club, the 4,000-capacity Connexin Live Arena, and the region’s biggest festival for independent music, the Humber Street Sesh.
Hull has announced the new music board who will oversee the five-year music plan, which was co-developed with over 100 people from the music sector. The board will focus on four themes of inclusion, infrastructure, profile and collaboration, championing Hull’s music culture and ensuring music remains at the heart of the city’s future.
Councillor Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for culture, said: “Hull already has the creativity, grit, and raw talent. What we need now is the infrastructure and backing to match it. This board is one of the first steps to show the world we’re serious about building a real music industry – one that creates lasting opportunities, raises the bar, and proves we are well worth paying attention to.”
PHOTO: (L-R) Sarah Shiels (Director at The New Adelphi Club CIC and youth music champion), Cllr Rob Pritchard, James Meadows (SVP Marketing at Chrysalis Records/Blue Raincoat Music), Damien Greco (cultural marketing professional and promoter), James Dickinson (Head of Hull Music Service and Lead Partner for the Humber Music Hub), Jenni Harrison (Creative Director and co-lead of Hull Music Net), Sam Ryder (General Manager of Connexin Live)
Not pictured: Gerard Gibbons, grassroots music advocate and business leader, Elle Douglas, Creative Manager at The Warren Youth Project
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