On Our Radar: This Week in Music Cities
- Music Cities Events
- Nov 28, 2025
- 2 min read
From Riyadh's Cultural Ascendancy to the Grammys' Global Inclusion Drive: This Week's Global Music Landscape.
This week's developments showcase how music continues to drive urban transformation, cultural diplomacy, and economic growth across continents. From emerging cultural capitals to established industry hubs, here are the key stories shaping music cities worldwide.
On Our Radar: This Week in Music Cities
Here's the global music news you might have missed:
Recording Academy Launches Global DEI Initiative for Music Creators
The Recording Academy has launched "CREAR Música," a significant Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative designed to support music creators worldwide. This move signals a structural shift in the global music industry, establishing a new benchmark for inclusive cultural policy and creator support.
Guns N' Roses 2026 World Tour Set to Drive Music Tourism Economy
The announcement of Guns N' Roses' 2026 world tour and new singles is poised to create a major ripple effect across the global live events sector. The tour is anticipated to significantly boost travel and tourism in host cities, highlighting the powerful economic synergy between major music events and urban economies.
New Pan-Asian Powerhouse Pacific Music Group Launches in Hong Kong
A new entertainment venture, Pacific Music Group, has launched from Hong Kong with a formidable roster of founders, including Ne-Yo, Sonu Nigam, MC Jin, and former Warner Music Group executive Jonathan Serbin. The company represents a new model of cross-continental collaboration, aiming to bridge Asian and Western music markets.
Riyadh Music Week 2025 Positions City as Emerging Cultural Capital
Riyadh is set to host a large-scale Music Week in 2025, designed as a global platform for creativity and cultural exchange. This event is a key part of Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to establish itself as a leading destination for international cultural tourism and the global creative economy.
Manchester's Landmark Music Venue Report Spurs Grassroots Network
A landmark report on the value of Manchester's music venues has led to increased support and the launch of a new Grassroots Venues Network. This provides a replicable model for cities worldwide, demonstrating how policy and research can directly safeguard essential cultural infrastructure.
Colombian Champeta Gains UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Status
The Colombian musical genre and dance, Champeta, has been officially recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage. This landmark decision celebrates the genre's profound Afro-Colombian roots and its social significance, elevating its status on the world stage and ensuring the preservation of its cultural legacy.
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Really enjoyed reading about the global music scene this week—makes me want to explore new cities and their vibes. After that inspiration, I took a quick SBTI Test on my phone just for fun; it’s a chaotic little quiz but surprisingly entertaining.
Love the roundup of music city news—seeing how places like Riyadh are boosting culture is inspiring. Makes me think about how a good presentation timer could help keep my own music workshop talks on track and fun.
Love this update! It’s exciting to see how music scenes continue to grow. IO games are also a fun way to enjoy some quick entertainment during breaks.
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I came across Tim Sparks recently after a friend sent me a playlist of fingerstyle guitar that wasn't just the usual Fahey and Kottke tracks. His playing is absolutely captivating. He blends folk, blues, and classical influences in a way that feels both technically brilliant and deeply emotional. What really stood out to me was his work with traditional Jewish melodies, where he takes these old tunes and turns them into hypnotic, intricate arrangements that feel ancient and completely fresh at the same time. He is not flashy for the sake of it. He just lets the music breathe. I have been working through his catalog and it has become my go-to for late night listening when I want something…