Emerging artists, musicians and aspiring industry professionals will have the chance to learn from some of the sector’s leading figures this June, as Sunderland hosts the free A to B Music Conference at the City Hall.
Taking place on Saturday 20th June as part of Summit Week Sunderland, the one-day event is designed to give people practical insights into careers in music, whether on stage, behind the scenes or in the wider creative industries.
It will be delivered by Sunderland Music City in partnership with We Make Culture, Music Connects Sunderland and The Bunker, with support from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.
The conference will feature a packed programme of panel discussions, workshops, networking opportunities, and live performances.
BBC Radio 1 presenter Daryl Jenkins will host the opening panel, which explores the role of social media in building an audience and creating meaningful connections as an artist.
The discussion will feature Grace Stubbings and Eliza Lee of Venus Grrrls, Helen Walkinshaw of Irked and Index, and Fe Duncan of Slalom D and Serial Bowl Records.
The event will also highlight the many career paths available beyond performing.
A dedicated panel on music production, sync licensing and publishing will bring together Alex Grey, Head of Production at Cavendish Records, producer and sync specialist Tony Brown of Universal, and artist and vocalist Amber Leigh-Irish.
Following a networking lunch and industry marketplace, attendees will hear from experienced touring musicians Hattie Steel, Adam Robson and Faye MacCalman, who will discuss the realities of life on the road and building sustainable careers.
One of the conference’s standout sessions will be a live Q&A and production masterclass with Grammy Award-winning producer and mixing engineer Eduardo De La Paz (New Order, Florence + The Machine, The National, Self Esteem).
During the session, titled Inside the Mix, De La Paz will break down professional recordings and offer insight into the creative and technical processes behind music production.
The programme will also feature a keynote presentation from Lena Ingwersen and Lex Davidson of the global Music Cities Network, alongside the premiere of a new documentary from Second Draft exploring Sunderland’s local music scene.
Visitors will be able to take part in hands-on activities throughout the day, including beginner DJ workshops delivered by FutureBox and Music Connects Sunderland.
Live performances from Sunderland artists Orton and Patrick Gosling will take place alongside a gallery celebrating the legacy of Sunderland venue The Bunker and a pop-up record shop hosted by Roker Records.
Michelle Daurat, CEO of Sunderland Music City, commented: “This conference day is about giving people genuine access to the music industry.
“They’ll hear directly from world-class professionals, building connections, and developing practical skills.
“We want attendees to leave not just inspired, but with real insight into how the industry works and how they can find their place within it.”
The conference forms part of Summit Week Sunderland, which will see music leaders and delegates from around the world visit the city for the Music Cities Network Summer Summit.
Running from 18–21 June, the summit marks the first time a UK city has hosted the international gathering.
It also represents the culmination of Sunderland’s Year of Music, a year-long celebration of the city’s musical heritage and contemporary music scene.
Head to the following link for more information: A to B – Sunderland’s Music Conference Tickets, Saturday, June 20 • 9 AM – 5 PM | Eventbrite
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