Balraj, pictured, is a musician, facilitator and youth worker who has been based in Manchester for over 17 years. Image credit: © Hark1karan.
The MU has joined the Greater Manchester Music Commission and will be represented by North of England member Balraj Samrai.
Established in 2021 by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, the role of the Commission is to support and promote music in the Greater Manchester music ecosystem, including identifying opportunities and areas requiring intervention.
MU representative
It was set up following the 2019 Greater Manchester Music Review, published by UK Music and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). One of the ten recommendations made in the report was to set up a new music board.
Projects so far include establishing Greater Manchester as the UK’s first Centre of Excellence for Music and Dementia, and making interventions into the long running row around a noise abatement order served on the Night and Day Café grassroots music venue.
Balraj is a musician, facilitator and youth worker who has been based in Manchester for over 17 years. He is a co-founder of SEEN Magazine, created by global majority and marginalised communities to celebrate unheard voices and stories.
Balraj also sits on The MU’s North of England Regional Committee and co-chairs our Climate Emergency working group.
We’re delighted that Balraj will represent us - we’ll have a strong and effective voice around the table
Balraj Samrai said: "I'm excited to join the Greater Manchester Music Commission as an MU representative to support the sustainability of grassroots artists, venues and promoters in a challenging climate".
MU North of England Regional Organiser Paul Reed said: “We’re delighted that The MU has been invited to join the Greater Manchester Music Commission and that Balraj will represent us. We’ll have a strong and effective voice around the table and direct input from a musician who is already actively plugged into many different aspects of Manchester’s music ecosystem.
“Building on The MU already having a presence at the Liverpool City Region Music Board, the West Yorkshire Culture, Heritage and Sport Committee and others, this will bolster our influence and ensure that member’s voices are heard loud and clear all across the North of England region”.