We’re thrilled to announce that Bradford Producing Hub has been named by the PRS Foundation as one of the first grantees of its new Talent Development Network, bringing together organisations working at the frontline of talent development, and strengthening the local music ecosystem.
This funding will allow Bradford Producing Hub to launch the first round of its new musician accelerator programme, AMPLIFY later this year. Supporting early to mid-career music creators across the Bradford district, AMPLIFY will provide training and development, mentoring, and performance opportunities, alongside connections with other musicians and the wider industry, to help music creators take a transformational step in their professional careers.
“I am so pleased that BPH will be joining the Talent Development Network and will be able to increase music provision through this funding. The AMPLIFY programme is an integral step in Bradford’s journey to develop a stronger music sector that can support and inspire artists to follow a professional career. Bradford is a unique district full of promising artists with unique voices: we are excited to amplify and support them. With Bradford about to become the UK City of Culture, this is an exciting time for us!”
Sinead Campbell, Music Creator and Bradford Music Lead at Bradford Producing Hub
Other organisations in the region joining the PRS Talent Development Network alongside Bradford Producing Hub include Come Play With Me, Music Local, Jazz North, Opera North and Yorkshire Sound Women Network.
“It’s fantastic to welcome the first cohort of organisations into our new Talent Development Network. We know from discussions with the sector how important longer-term support is, to enable them to plan more effectively and deliver better talent development programmes for music creators.”
Joe Frankland, CEO of PRS Foundation
This news comes shortly after Bradford Producing Hub joined 10 founding partners of the new Northern Music Network, which includes Bradford Producing Hub; Brighter Sound (Manchester), Come Play With Me (Leeds), Culture Liverpool, Generator (North East), Hull Music Network, Jazz North; Kycker (South Yorkshire); Music Local (Yorkshire), Nothin But The Music (Liverpool) and The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (Gateshead).
The collective aims to provide a united voice to support the music sector in the North of England, showcase Northern artists’ talent, share industry best practices, and provide opportunities to promote a sustainable and inclusive music industry.
Research has proven that all arrows point towards the North regarding where the future of music investment should be, with several major labels setting up shop in the region including EMI North and Warner Music UK, as well as smaller grassroots labels like Brighton’s QM Records who recently relocated to Bradford. Plans are ongoing for the Brit School to expand its iconic Croydon institution, which nurtured Adele and Amy Winehouse and is set to be cited in Bradford. Bradford Producing Hub continues to connect with Tileyard North, following their expansion to Wakefield which houses their state-of-the-art TYX Studios.
Bradford Producing Hub, with their Bradford Music Lead, Sinead Campbell, has worked hard over the past 3 years to develop and unite Bradford’s music sector. This has included the formation of the Bradford Music Steering Group in partnership with Bradford Council and Launchpad. BPH’s support of the District’s music sector kicked off the first Bradford Music Month in 2022 and has supported the growth of new networks such as Bradford Music Scene, labels including QM Records, and venues such as The Underground. New partnerships continue to bring music investment into the District including Launchpad securing £30,000 from Youth Music Foundation to support emerging Bradford music promoters.
“Bradford’s music scene has a strong history, but across the North, the sector is urgently in need of more support to grow and thrive. This funding from the PRS Foundation and the establishment of the Northern Music Network, alongside other exciting developments like Bradford LIVE and Brit School North, will make a significant difference in putting Bradford back on the national music sector map, and we’re determined to ensure that Bradford talent takes the spotlight.”
Lisa Mallaghan, Director of Bradford Producing Hub
