The panel will also discuss what lessons could be learned from the flourishing music boards of the North of England. Image credit: Shutterstock.
Taking place 11 - 14 October, the first edition of Beyond The Music in Manchester offers a weekend of live new music alongside the creation of a global forum which aims to support and launch real time solutions to industry issues.
By gathering artists, entrepreneurs, creatives, and music industry professionals together in the heart of Manchester, Beyond The Music aims to define the music industry’s place in the new cultural economy and build a creative alliance for the future.
Framed in the concept of ‘Past, Present, and Future’, the conference panels will address topics from the new economics of music, the climate crisis, AI copyright and artist ownership, mental health, grass roots venues, and post Brexit international touring.
Exploring external markets and domestic policy through a UK Parliament for the music industry
The MU have partnered with the event, curating a panel for the ‘Future’ day. ‘Creating a UK Parliament for the music industry’ will take place at Versa Studios in Manchester on Friday 13 October from 10.30am -11.20am.
Moderated by the Chair of The Ivors Academy and founder of the Broken Record campaign, Tom Gray, speakers include MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, alongside Alice Fuller (Generator), Nathan Clark (West Yorkshire Culture Committee) and Cath Hurley (Liverpool Music Board).
The panel will discuss foreign policy, focusing on how an assembly could help support UK musicians targeting external markets, in addition to considering the creation of a Music Export Office. In addition, the discussion will explore domestic policy and how an industry congress could incentivise activity from across the UK focusing on issues such as tax relief, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and what lessons could be learned from the flourishing music boards of the North of England.
The MU was founded in Manchester and there are clear synergies between us and Beyond the Music
MU Regional Organiser for the North of England Paul Reed said:
“We’re delighted to be partnering with the inaugural Beyond the Music conference and festival in Manchester this year, it makes sense on so many levels.
“The MU was founded in Manchester and there are clear synergies between us and Beyond the Music: not least the democratic structure of the event and the future facing agenda on the day hosting our discussion of creating a UK Parliament for the Music industry.
“We look forward to welcoming some fantastic and high-profile speakers to what promises to be a hugely insightful session for UK Musicians and industry alike”.
Find out more about the conference and panel sessions.