MusicFutures

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MusicFutures

UKRI Creative R&D Cluster for the Music Industry.

Based in Liverpool City Region to support growth, innovation and talent.
📍Liverpool City Region, UK
https://linktr.ee/musicfuturesuk

10/09/2026

🎙️Behind the scenes of a very exciting project...

Something's been happening behind the mic.

Watch this space. 👀

📲 Be first in line – follow us and keep an eye out for what’s coming: https://linktr.ee/musicfuturesuk

08/09/2026

📣 Calling future researchers in music & IP! 🎓🎶

We’re thrilled to partner with the University of Liverpool School of Law and Social Justice to offer a fully funded PhD scholarship exploring the future of music rights, data and innovation.

This exciting project sits at the intersection of intellectual property and music, exploring:

🎵 How IP frameworks enable — or obstruct — innovation in music metadata
🔍 How rights information can be more accurately attributed and tracked
💷 How rights holders can be better remunerated under UK law
🔓 The importance of ownership and transparency in rights data

And alongside the research, the successful candidate will contribute to the MusicFutures IP Clinic & Lab.

✨ Join an amazing team, work on cutting-edge research, and help shape the future of music rights.

Apply Now: https://musicfutures.co.uk/opportunities/phd-studentship-innovating-music-rights-intellectual-property-metadata-and-the-future-of-the-music-industry/

03/09/2026

PPL Momentum Funding Awardee Spotlight ⭐️

Big things are happening for music talent across the ! 🚀🎵

We recently teamed up with PRS Foundation & PPL - Phonographic Performance Ltd to announce the 3 talented artists & 2 industry professionals selected for the Momentum Accelerator Fund.

Hear directly from our awardees as they share what this funding means for their growth, development and ambitions for long-term careers in the music industry. 🙌

A huge congratulations once again to:
🎤 Bethane
🎤 Niki Kand
🎤 Jazmine Johnson
🎧 Carrick Moran
🎧 Tobi Osekita

We can’t wait to see where this support takes them! ⭐️

📲 Want to stay up to date with all our opportunities? Sign up to the MusicFutures Mailing List: https://mailchi.mp/liverpool/musicfuturessignup

01/09/2026

🎵 MusicFutures x LJMU - Reciprocal Mentoring Pilot Programme

We’re proud to support Liverpool John Moores University's Reciprocal Mentoring Pilot Programme, connecting senior leaders from the music sector across the with people from diverse and underrepresented communities.

Launching in October 2026, the eight-month programme offers participants the opportunity to:

✨ Share perspectives and experiences through a two-way learning partnership
✨ Help shape more inclusive organisations and a more representative music ecosystem
✨ Gain insight into leadership and decision-making
✨ Build valuable professional networks across the music sector
✨ Develop confidence, skills and career opportunities

Participants will meet with their mentoring partner monthly and take part in four facilitated workshops, creating space for learning, reflection and networking.

Applications are now open for music freelancers and micro-businesses from diverse communities across the .

Please tag anyone you think may be interested.

👉 Find out more and apply here: https://musicfutures.co.uk/opportunities/reciprocal-mentoring-pilot-programme/

27/08/2026

🎧BLK SCL! x Noise Project - 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜 | 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐗𝐭 𝐆𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐛

An 8-week industry development programme for the next generation of Black music industry professionals based in the .

Delivered by MusicFutures partner, 𝐁𝐋𝐊 𝐒𝐂𝐋! in collaboration with 𝐍𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭, the programme responds to a clear need: the music industry -particularly across the North of England - needs more people behind the scenes who genuinely understand and champion Black music. People who can think clearly, communicate with authority, and move artists forward with real cultural intelligence.

From campaign strategy to artist development - the chosen cohort will be guided by working professionals and special guests from inside the industry.

📈 By the end of the programme, every participant will have developed a professional-standard campaign strategy deck for a North of England-based Black music artist of their choice, alongside access to further industry opportunities and development.

🔗 Link to apply: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbEaZWU0dWkWnDwWGxO7mQ7xQAuvlrFmRbSVGp07qhOY1pgg/viewform
📆 Deadline: 31 August, 6PM

26/08/2026

🚌🌙 New research into Liverpool’s night bus has launched today.

Following the Liverpool City Region Music Board’s campaign to bring night buses back after Covid, this research has been published to better understand the impact of the N1 and build the evidence for what comes next.

The findings show the important role it's already playing for people across Liverpool’s night-time economy. For every £1 invested, the service generates an estimated £4.93 in social and community value.

Two members of our MusicFutures team, Mathew Flynn and Richard Anderson on behalf of University of Liverpool’s Institute of Popular Music, contributed to the research and wider work.

Since launching, it has supported more than 57,500 passenger journeys:
🛡️ 85% said it improved their feelings of safety
💷 84% reported significant financial savings
💼 52% used it to travel to or from work
🚌 44% said they would not have made their journey without it

The research also shows there is more to do; poor awareness, hourly departures and limited routes are preventing the service from reaching its full potential - with recommendations for greater promotion, more frequent services and wider routes across the Liverpool City Region.

📖 Read the full story and findings: https://lcrmusicboard.co.uk/liverpool-night-bus-proves-its-value/

25/08/2026

🚨1 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊 𝐋𝐄𝐅𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐋𝐘 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐑+ 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐌𝐄 🚨

In partnership with Skiddle and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Promoter+ is a 12-month programme supporting emerging music promoters from underrepresented backgrounds and/or under-supported genres, cultures and communities.

Are you:
🎧 An emerging live music promoter in the Liverpool City Region?
🌍 Representing an under-represented background, community, genre, or culture?
💡 Exploring new ways to grow your events, connect with audiences, and shape the future of live music?

The programme offers:
✨ Up to £4,500 funding support to deliver a minimum of 3 events
✨ Bootcamps, roundtables & partner-led sessions
✨ 1:1 mentoring and peer learning
✨ Workspace and/or venue access

📆 Applications close: 1 September, 1PM
🚀 Learn more & apply: https://musicfutures.co.uk/opportunities/promoter-plus-programme/

Know a promoter who should apply? Tag and share this with them! 🎧

24/08/2026

📡 BEHIND THE WAVES #4: Coby O·bi -- MusicFutures commissioned Artist at

💬 “It's important that there are schemes that are able to help people who are just starting in their careers, or with a project idea that's out of scope of what they do at that moment, and being able to uplift that.”

What happens when artists are given the space, support and resources to explore an idea beyond their usual show?

Back in May, we joined forces with to champion a range of local artists and creative commissions throughout the festival weekend.

🎥 For the fourth episode of Behind the Waves, we sat down with Coby O·bi to reflect on the festival, the ideas behind the commission, and what opportunities like this can mean for artists at different stages of their careers.

Supporting artists to take creative risks, develop new ideas and push their practice forward is a key part of building a thriving music sector.

📲 Want to hear about future MusicFutures opportunities and projects? Join our mailing list via: https://mailchi.mp/liverpool/musicfuturessignup

Arts and Humanities Research Council - AHRC | Invisible Wind Factory

20/08/2026

🔊 Music Studios!

Our Studio Sounds playlist is live on Apple Music, showcasing music being created in studios across the region. 🎶

We’d love to hear the tracks coming out of your studio and help shine a light on the incredible talent across the Liverpool City Region.

🎧 Want to get involved?
- Tag a studio that needs to see this
- Comment with tracks you’d like to see added
- DM us to find out more

We want to hear from you.

🔗 Click the link to listen to the playlist in full: https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/musicfutures-lcr-studio-sounds/pl.04bbcc6035024ca79fc26905b60b297a

17/08/2026

🚀 REMINDER: Promoter+ Programme Applications Are Open

Are you an emerging live music promoter in the ?

The Promoter+ Programme from MusicFutures, in partnership with Skiddle & Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, supports the next generation of promoters who are creating new experiences, championing communities, and shaping the future of live music.

The 12-month programme offers:
✨ Up to £4,500 funding support to deliver a minimum of 3 events
✨ Bootcamps, roundtables & partner-led sessions
✨ 1:1 mentoring and peer learning
✨ Workspace and/or venue access

We’re looking for promoters who:
🎤 Are developing new nights, scenes, or experiences
🌍 Champion under-represented voices, genres, cultures, or communities
💡 Want to explore new ways to engage audiences and grow their ideas

📆 Applications close: September 1st, 1PM
🚀 Learn more & apply: https://musicfutures.co.uk/opportunities/promoter-plus-programme/

🎶 KOJ - Punk Panther

Arts and Humanities Research Council - AHRC | Liverpool City Region Music Board | Culture Liverpool | Liverpool City Region Combined Authority | Liverpool City Council | Liverpool Sound City | The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts | Adlib | Sentric Music | Ditto Music | Future Yard

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https://linktr.ee/musicfuturesuk

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