The Liverpool City Region Music Board (LCRMB) plays a vital role in shaping the strategic direction of the local music industry. Since its formation in 2019, the Board has met monthly, alongside sub-group meetings, to support business growth, skills development, and investment, ensuring a thriving music ecosystem across the six boroughs. The Board’s work has been made possible by the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), which has allocated £2 million over four years to drive key initiatives.

Music Ecosystem, Business Support & Funding

The Board has played a crucial role in strengthening the LCR music ecosystem by supporting businesses and the wider local music sector.

Key Achievements:

• Music Industry Support Fund: Managed £150,000 in grants in 2020 to support 50 music businesses affected by the pandemic, including venues, studios, and promoters.
• Music Business Growth Support Award: Provided investment to 41 additional businesses to aid expansion and sustainability.
• Online Digital Directory: Created a platform where music professionals and artists can promote themselves, access opportunities, and discover funding and training resources.
• Spotlight On Campaign: Produced six business-focused videos, each featuring a different LCR borough, shared across social media and hosted on the LCRMB YouTube channel.
• Future Yard Support: Assisted the physical development of Future Yard, a 280-capacity music venue in Wirral, contributing to the borough’s music ecology and the regeneration of Birkenhead town centre.
• Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG): Over 200 music businesses received industry insights via Sound Success Sessions and direct engagement with the Music Office.
• Agent of Change Principle: Successfully lobbied for Liverpool City Council to adopt the Agent of Change principle in September 2019, protecting music venues from the impact of new developments.

Future Yard

Future Yard has redefined the role of a grassroots music venue, offering live industry training and serving as a regional hub for artist development. Run by Future Yard CIC, a non-profit organisation, the venue is working towards becoming the first carbon-neutral grassroots venue in the North of England.

Music Education & Skills Development

The Board has focused on increasing access to music education, supporting career pathways, and developing diverse talent across the city region.

Key Achievements:

• Music Careers Advice:Engaged 2,500+ students through career guidance sessions in collaboration with schools and music education hubs, which included Music Careers Days in all in six boroughs, in partnership with Sound City Satellite and the Merseyside Music Education Hub Alliance
• Digital Toolkit: Developed a free educational resource to support schools in delivering music career education.
• Free Music Lessons & Instruments: Funded music lessons and instrument provision for 150 disadvantaged young people, leading to 50+ students achieving nationally recognised music qualifications.
• Work Placements & Traineeships: Delivered 379 work placements and 52 paid traineeships with companies such as Ditto Music, Kitchen Street, and Big Cookie, doubling the initial target.
• LIMF Academy Support: Enabled an additional 20 emerging artists to participate in the programme. Artists that have emerged from LIMF Academy in the last few years include Jalen Ngonda, Michael Aldag, Tonia, and Ni Maxine.
• Industry Training: Funded mixing and mastering masterclasses led by leading industry figure, providing 10 emerging artists and producers with professional skills.
• Kempton Street Studios Programme: A fund to provide recording time and mentorships for grassroots artists, while offering practical experience for an underrepresented music engineer.

Free Music Lessons for Disadvantaged Youth:

Through Positive Impact, the Board facilitated free music lessons using various musical instruments and vocal training for 150 young people from low-income backgrounds.

Over 50 students achieved formal music qualifications, enhancing their confidence and opening doors to further education. Several secured places at top-performing secondary schools by passing music aptitude tests.  

Black Music Action Group (BMAG) & ReMap Report

The Black Music Action Group (BMAG) was established in November 2021 to address disparities in the industry and create a sustainable sector that supports Black artists and professionals.

Key Achievements:

• Established as part of the Board’s Black Lives Matter Manifesto (June 2021), which also committed to increasing Black representation on the Board and sub-groups to at least 30%; a goal that was soon met.
• Supported On Record Merseyside, a festival celebrating Black music’s impact on Liverpool’s cultural landscape.
• ReMap Report (2024): Published a comprehensive study on Black music makers in LCR, identifying systemic challenges and proposing 22 key recommendations.
• Implemented recommendations from the ReMap Report, including the creation of a Black Music Strategy and securing funding for targeted initiatives.
• OPEN SAUCE x Generator Incubator: Established a mentorship and funding programme, supporting Black professionals to overcome industry barriers.
• PhD Scholarship: Funded a three-year PhD at the University of Liverpool to research Black musicians’ experiences and industry challenges.

Mastering Sessions for Black Artists:

The Board funded professional mastering sessions led by a leading industry specialist, ensuring Black artists could achieve industry-standard sound quality and professional releases. 

Music Tourism & Industry Promotion

The Board has played a pivotal role in reinforcing Liverpool’s status as a world-class music city and maximising the Eurovision 2023 legacy.

Key Achievements:

• Mapping Liverpool’s City Region’s Live Music Scene: Partnered with the University of Liverpool to map 607 live music venues, supporting funding applications and economic impact reports.
• Night Bus Service: Lobbied successfully for the N1 Night Bus, relaunched in December 2023, offering a £2 late-night transport option connecting South Liverpool, the city centre, and Birkenhead.
• Leveraged UNESCO City of Music Status: Strengthened Liverpool’s designation through branding, campaigns, and strategic industry partnerships.
• Liverpool Music City: Launched com, a platform showcasing local artists, venues, and talent development programmes.
• ‘Discover a New Beat’ Campaign: A city-wide marketing initiative featuring live performances at iconic venues, influencer collaborations, and digital outreach.
  

Events for the Music Community

LCRMB has hosted events and consultations to support, educate, and connect the local music industry.

Key Achievements:

• ‘Let The Music Play’ Sessions (2023 – 2025): Borough-focused consultations to gather insights and shape policy.
• ‘Making Money in Music’ (2023): A panel discussion on monetising music in the digital era.
• ‘Write the Future verse’ (2024): Explored emerging technologies such as VR, Spatial Audio, AI, and AR.
• ‘Keeping Liverpool City Region Music Venues on the Map’ consultation event to develop a post-pandemic action plan focusing on ‘safeguarding and protecting local music venues’.
• ‘Supporting Applications to the Arts Council England (ACE) Supporting Grassroots Music Fund’ workshop, which included a presentation from ACE and bespoke advice to help local music businesses to apply for the funding.
• Music Producers Coffee Morning 2025 Workshop (2025): Aligning music experts to connect with local music producers and share expert insights, meanwhile encouraging networking for the LCR music community.
• Region-wide networking, celebration and consultation event (2025) offering all music professionals, artists, and businesses a unique opportunity to connect, collaborate, and contribute to the ongoing development of our city region’s music sector.

Conclusion

Through strategic initiatives, funding support, and advocacy, the Liverpool City Region Music Board has made a lasting impact on the local music industry.

With a continued focus on business support, education, and music tourism, the Board remains committed to strengthening the region’s position as a world-class music hub.

Liverpool City Region Music Board Achievements Report (20.03.25)