North East BIC and Sunderland Music City presents…
Growth Lab: The Sunderland Music City Strategy
Explore the business of music with an expert panel of guests including Mercury Prize nominee David Brewis, Carly Davidson (tour manager for The Last Dinner Party and Foals), and more.
Our engaging panel will share real world success stories and practical advice to take your music business to the next level. They will also discuss the key pillars of the Sunderland Music Strategy, a new framework to guide, inspire and grow the regional music economy and the next generation of music talent on Wearside and beyond.
Join us for an interactive session where we bring together experts and participants from all sectors for a dynamic and lively conversation. Expect refreshingly honest perspectives and learn how you can employ the same powerful tactics to benefit your own business.
Hosted by Frankie Francis of Sunderland Music City in partnership with the North East BIC, this is a unique opportunity to learn more about the inner workings of the music industry and help drive your business forward.
Growth Lab Sunderland
The session is part of Growth Lab Sunderland, a new event series designed to inspire and empower Sunderland-based business owners and leaders with ambition to grow.
Held in a fun, friendly and inclusive environment, the events take place at different venues across the Sunderland City Council area and feature local businesspeople sharing how they introduced innovative ways to survive and thrive.
“It’s really inspiring to be in a roomful of people, bubbling with enthusiasm, ideas and solutions.”
Steve Nicholas, Managing Director, iqms Learning
Meet the speakers
David Brewis
Mercury Prize Nominated Artist, Music Producer and Studio Owner
Since 2005, David Brewis has been writing, recording and releasing records as part of the Mercury Prize-nominated Field Music. He released their latest album, Limits of Language, in 2024, and has worked on a variety of other projects, as well as touring extensively across Europe and North America. David has also written music for live film scores and culture and heritage commissions, as well as producing, recording and mixing music for other artists. He owns and runs Field Music Studios, a large multi-room recording space in Sunderland.
Carly Davidson
Global Tour Manager for Foals, Friendly Fires, Everything Everything and more
Carly Davidson has over two decades of experience working in music and is currently a global tour manager for bands including Foals, Friendly Fires and Everything Everything. Alongside her work as a tour manager operating within the UK and internationally, Carly is a show rep for a number of international promoters and has worked on events of all shapes and sizes, including major stadium shows.
Darren Henley CBE
Chief Executive of Arts Council England, Chair of the UK National Lottery Forum and former Managing Director of Global Radio
Darren Henley is the Chief Executive of Arts Council England. Darren began his career as a freelance radio journalist and newsreader at Classic FM before rising to Managing Director of Global Radio in 2006. In 2014 was appointed Chief Executive of Arts Council England. Darren holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Sunderland and was awarded an OBE for services to music in 2013, as well as a CBE for services to the arts in 2022.
Lena Ingwersen
Managing Director of the Music Cities Network, Cultural Manager and DJ
Lena Ingwersen is the Managing Director of the Music Cities Network – a transnational non-profit association uniting Music Cities and policy makers around the globe. With more than 15 years of experience in the music industry, Lena is committed to bettering structures, intensifying borderless cultural exchange and creating sustainable business opportunities via the Music Cities Network. She is also the co-founder of the nonprofit initiative Act Aware, as well as the festival concept HALLO/Schaltzentrale, an artistic format for spatial development. Lena works as a DJ under the artist name Lej.
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Come along to...
- Learn from others who’ve been there and done it
- Shortcut to what works and what doesn’t
- Ask the questions you need answered
- Share your own insights
- Get introductions to useful new contacts
- Discover new opportunities and new ways to adapt
Grab your ticket
Growth Lab: The Sunderland Music City Strategy
Power your growth with great marketing
21st January 2025, 15:00-18:00
The Fire Station, Sunderland, SR1 3HA
Once your place is booked, we’ll be in touch for a few extra details required by our funders UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
As a fully funded programme for Sunderland businesses, we need to check eligibility and ask you to complete a short registration form. Thank you!
Enterprising Sunderland is the overarching title for this business support programme and is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Delivered by a unique consortium of delivery partners in Sunderland working together to stimulate entrepreneurial ambition across the city.
