A new report by UK Music, the collective voice of the UK music industry, emphasises Leeds Conservatoire’s continued creative impact in the Yorkshire area.
Here, There and Everywhere reveals the huge contribution of music tourism to the UK economy. It outlines the impact of the eagerly anticipated resurgence of live music in 2022 – the first full year of post-pandemic festivals, gigs and concerts in the UK, and shows the international reputation of the UK’s live music events.
In the report’s section focused on Yorkshire and the Humber, it includes the following:
“Music courses at Leeds Beckett University and the music-specific Leeds Conservatoire continue to be a key attribute to the region’s music ecosystem. With a strong emphasis on contemporary music and a growing number of international students, the conservatoire provides a supportive environment for aspiring musicians, helping them develop their skills and knowledge alongside access to state-of-the-art facilities and tutors who are active musicians and experts in their field.”
Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, Chief Executive at UK Music, said:
“Music is one of our country’s great assets – not only is it absolutely critical to the economic success of our local areas, but it also generates huge amounts of soft power and helps put our towns and cities on the global map.
“In 2022, music pulled more than 14 million tourists into local areas and supported £6.6 billion of spending in local economies across the UK. This is a testament to just how important a thriving musical ecosystem is for our towns and cities.
“But while music generates huge benefits for our local areas, the infrastructure and talent pipeline that it relies on still faces huge challenges. With a venue closing every week, one in six festivals not returning since the pandemic, and many studios facing huge economic pressures, it’s vital that we protect the musical infrastructure that does so much for our towns and cities.
“Post-pandemic, the role of music in transformative placemaking is more important than ever – and this report provides a valuable toolkit for local authorities to help them seize the benefits of being a ‘music city.’
“By harnessing the power of music, nations and regions across the UK can generate thousands more jobs, boost economic growth and attract even more visitors to the local area. This report shows how to turn that potential into reality.”
