On Our Radar: This Week in Music Cities
- Music Cities Events
- Oct 17
- 2 min read
What do a legendary Hull music venue, a 200-year-old heritage site, and the luxury hotels of Punta Cana all have in common? They are all part of a global wave of policy and strategy where live music is being cemented as a vital economic pillar for cities and nations. This week, our radar picks up fascinating moves: from how the UK's underground scene is being protected, to how the live sector fuels billions in the US economy and drives cultural tourism in the Caribbean.
On Our Radar: This Week in Music Cities
Here's the global music news you might have missed:
A new trend is redefining the use of cultural spaces: hosting electronic music events (raves) in 200-year-old heritage sites. This practice is prompting a crucial conversation for policymakers on how to balance the need to generate income for the upkeep of historic assets with strict cultural preservation and acoustic regulations.
The Dominican Republic is using its world-class tourism infrastructure to professionalise its domestic music industry. A newly announced summit in Punta Cana aims to strengthen the sector, covering topics from protecting artists’ rights to using the high-traffic tourism market as a platform for music export and sustainable economic growth.
In a strategic move for urban economic development, Anchorage, Alaska, has launched a dedicated music industry track during its Dark Daze Music Fest. This initiative is designed to attract industry professionals during the typically quiet winter period, demonstrating how cultural programming can diversify and stabilise the local economy.
The UK’s Music Venue Trust (MVT), along with WaterBear College, has launched its national "Keeping Music Live" tour at Hull’s famed New Adelphi Club. The national campaign is a direct response to the crisis facing UK grassroots venues, seeking to raise funds and awareness for their fundamental role in the music ecosystem and artist development.
A new "State of Live" report from the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) in the US has revealed striking figures: independent music venues in Illinois generate $3.9 billion in total economic output and support over 25,000 jobs. However, the same study highlights the sector's precarity, with only 22% of these venues reporting profitability in 2024.
From government halls in Alaska to tourism boards in the Caribbean, musical culture is formally being embedded in urban planning and development strategies. The battle for the sustainability of underground venues in Hull and the fight for profitability in Illinois remind us that while the economic impact is massive, smart policy and strategic support are more vital than ever to ensure the heartbeat of live music keeps going.
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