Champions needed for Manchester’s music scene as Andy Burnham launches new Commission with a song

Music industry figures are being asked to step forward to champion Manchester’s musical talent as part of a new Greater Manchester Music Commission.

GM Mayor Andy Burnham launched the initiative at an event in Bury on Monday - and even broke into song himself alongside the musicians performing at the event, joining in with a version of Wonderwall.

The Greater Manchester Music Commission is now looking for representatives from across the music industry including, artists, venues, promoters, festivals, labels, managers and representative and membership bodies to join the Commission, which will promote all genres.

Commissioners will be asked to:

• Identify opportunities to develop talent and audiences within the Greater Manchester music ecology, as well as its prominence, reputation, and success both nationally and internationally
• Identify areas requiring intervention
• Prioritise these opportunities and challenges within the context of the local financial and political landscape
• Develop specific actions, interventions and programmes to present to GMCA
• Provide oversight of StreamGM, the not-for-profit ethical streaming service designed to provide a global platform for Greater Manchester talent
• Investigate ways to promote music from Greater Manchester around the world, including investigation of the feasibility of a globally-significant music industry event in Greater Manchester.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said: “Greater Manchester is a global capital of music, but we must always be wary of trading on past glories and resting on our musical laurels. One of the strengths of this city-region is its willingness to bring on the new and that is what I hope this new Greater Manchester Music Commission will help us to do.

“Right now, our 10 boroughs are home to a vibrant music scene, and we recognise the need to do everything we can to nurture it. We want to celebrate and champion music of all types from all of our communities and support our music industry at every level. There are many players in this and that’s why we will ensure that the Commission represents all of those voices.

“I will take a close personal interest in the work of the Commission and make sure its voice is heard and acted upon.”

See https://greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/GreaterManchesterMusicCommission for more.