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EVENT SCHEDULE
The 2026 Hull Music Cities Convention will showcase how Kingston upon Hull utilises its musical heritage to fuel urban regeneration and community pride. The event features a schedule of expert-led discussions, networking opportunities with 300 global delegates, and an exploration of the city's vibrant culture as a historic UK port.
MONDAY 8 JUNE Hull Local Music Forum
13:00 - 17:00
Hull Local Music Forum
Setting shared challenges and opportunities
19:00 - 20:30
Welcome dinner
For select and international guests
TUESDAY 9 JUNE Pre-conference half-day | Invite-only | Limited to 60 participants
13:00 - 14:00
Working Lunch & Opening framing session
Setting shared challenges and opportunities
13:00 - 14:00
Structured group discussion
Focused on key issues such as cultural infrastructure and licensing (MVT, Live and Brighton), creative place-making (DCMS and UK Music) and health and well-being (Power Music Consortium, Julia Jones and BPI)
15:00 - 16:00
Facilitated discussions
Between attendees, led by industry partners
16:00 - 17:00
Final presentation and networking
19:00 - 21:00
Opening Reception at Hull City Market
5:20 PM - 5:25 PM
Closing remarks
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Katy Henriksen, cultural journalist
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Arkansas Live Music and Screening @BC’s Blues Shack
Presented by The Music Education Initiative and Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral & Visual History
WEDNESDAY 10 JUNE Double Tree
9:00 - 10:00
Coffee & Pastries
10:00 - 10:15
Opening Remarks
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Presented by Shain Shapiro and Martin Elbourne
10:15 - 10:35
Keynote 1: Warner and Generator creating a studio in the north
10:35 - 11:25
Panel 1: Measuring Impact: Big, Small - Everything Is About
Data is the language of decision-makers, but community is the heart of the story. This panel explores how measuring economic, social, and cultural value can unlock vital investment and shape human-centric policy, moving beyond basic ticket sales to demonstrate true impact. Find out how robust impact analysis builds trust with stakeholders and ensures that cultural initiatives serve local needs first.
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Initial speaker ideas: ABBA | TMG | Denz Ibrahim L&G | Arnon Wolfson (Tinie Tempah)
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Moderated by Jett Glozier (Sound Diplomacy)
11:25 - 12:00
Coffee Break
12:00-12:30
Fireside chat
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Dave Haslam, and Kim McGuinness (Mayor of the North East Combined Authority)
12:30 - 12:50
Presentation 1: The Fan-First Revolution
What happens when you put the audience at the heart of policymaking? This session explores the landmark UK Fan-Led Review, a grassroots initiative designed to protect the venues and festivals that anchor the music industry. Learn how empowering fans through direct data and democratic participation can break down touring barriers, enhance safety, and force government action, turning fan passion into a powerful political tool for long-term sustainability. Presented by Music Venue Trust.
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Kevin Brennan MP & Sam Duckworth
12:50 - 13:35
Panel 2: The Everywhere Music City: Building Resilient Ecosystems Outside the Center
Music cities aren't defined by their size or proximity to a capital, but by the strength of their strategy. This panel explores success stories from non-central hubs, examining how cities can leverage their unique identity to build global digital bridges and hyper-local networks, moving beyond branding to focus on policy and impact. Take with you practical tools to turn perceived isolation into a competitive edge, proving that sustainable innovation belongs to everyone, everywhere.
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Hull (Kath Wynne-Hague) | Calgary (Jessica Marsh) | Leipzig - Salvador de Bahia (Ana Paula Matos) | Kigali (Raoul Rugamba)
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Moderated by Angharad Cooper (CME)
13:35 - 15:00
Lunch
19:00 - 21:00
Hull of a Night
A pop-up festival celebrating Hull as a Music City
THURSDAY 11 JUNE Arena
9:00 - 10:00
Coffee & Pastries
10:00 - 10:05
Opening Remarks
10:05 - 10:30
Presentation 2: Texas Liquor Investment Thing / Incentivising Live Music
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Presented by Chip Roy & Jon Collins
10:30- 10:50
Presentation 3: Breaking Barriers with Accessible Tech
Music ecosystems should be inclusive spaces where disabled and non-disabled musicians collaborate as equals. This presentation explores how to use innovation as a tool for creative equity, transforming accessibility from an afterthought into a core design principle. Take with you practical approaches to ensure your city's music scene is truly open to all.
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Presented by Drake Music
10:50 - 11:35
Panel 3: The Policy Remix: Bold Solutions for Resilient Music Cities All over the World
Cities worldwide are facing urgent challenges, from venue closures to artist displacement, that demand creative solutions. This session explores how cities have used bold policy to solve real-world crises, from venue protection to artist housing, moving beyond theory into action. Learn the "how" behind the wins and leave with a practical toolkit to rewrite the rules in your own backyard.
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Initial speaker ideas: Alice Glenn New Orleans | Brisbane | Clare McColgan Liverpool | Hong Kong | Eddie Hatitye ( Music From Africa)
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Moderated by Azucena Micó (Sound Diplomacy)
11:35 - 12:00
Coffee Break
12:00- 12:20
Presentation 4: From Food Production Factory to Music Hub
Abandoned industrial sites hold untapped potential for cultural transformation. This session explores the transformation of Bergen Kjøtt in Norway, illustrating how city-backed real estate investment and a dedicated management model turned a former food production factory into one of Norway's largest music production powerhouses. Discover how 28 studios and 100+ tenants are driving professional development and social change, providing a scalable roadmap for urban regeneration through music.
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Eva Lawson, Bergen
12:20 - 13:05
Panel 4: The Human Network: Building City Alliances Through the Power of Music
In an increasingly fragmented world, music remains our most universal bridge. This presentation explores how city-to-city alliances and trade associations are moving beyond commerce to foster genuine human connection through collaborative policy and cross-border partnerships. Experience how the collective power of the music industry can restore empathy to our urban centers and rebuild a more humane, connected society.
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Initial speaker ideas: Sydney/Aarhus/Sunderland (MCN) | UCCN (Belfast) | Music Policy Resilience Network (CME) (Greenland?) | Night Time Org (Lutz or Mirik)
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Moderated by Shain Shapiro
13:05 - 13:25
Keynote 2: Why music matters?
Music is the heartbeat of a city. It has the power to transform communities, improve livelihoods, and help solve some of the world's biggest challenges, one city at a time.
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TBC
13:25 - 15:00
Collective thinking and solution - oriented discussions
16:30 - 16:40
Closing remarks
18:30-19:15
Evening Reception @ Hull Minster
Drinks, hearty canapes
19:15 - 20:15
Music Cities Awards @ Hull Minster
20:15 - 01:00
Afterparty at the Hotel Bar
Host Partners
Supporting Partners
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Do you have any other questions regarding the Hull Music Cities Convention, or want to sponsor? Contact info@sounddiplomacy.com to learn everything related to the event's programme and activities.