What is a Music City?
A Music City, by its simplest definition, is a place with a vibrant music economy. And that's what we have right here in Sunderland.
Beginning with musicians and those who make a living through music, Music Cities are home to a broad range of people who support and encourage music and the music economy to develop.
A Music City has spaces for education, rehearsal, recording and performance, and fosters a live scene with an engaged and passionate audience that provides artists with a fertile ground for developing their craft. In doing so it delivers significant economic, employment, cultural and social benefits.
Sunderland Music City is not just about the music community, our initiative impacts education, business, voluntary bodies, and the community at large covering all musical genres, all ages and everyone who wants to play, sing, or listen.
Music Cities Network
Since 2025, Sunderland has been part of the Music Cities Network, a global, independent non-profit association currently connecting 16 member cities to strengthen music ecosystems through international collaboration and local empowerment.
Through MCN, Sunderland connects with other music cities and their stakeholders across borders - policymakers, city strategists, artists, and industry professionals - to share what works, exchange knowledge, and co-create practical solutions.
As part of an engaged international community, MCN supports cities in embedding music strategically within urban governance and development, across cultural, social, and economic dimensions. The network operates with a holistic and action-oriented approach, recognising that resilient music ecosystems emerge when all parts of the system align.
The network is growing and open to music cities committed to translating global ambition into tangible glocal impact – shaping policy and practice from the ground up.
