Bradford Launches New Plan To Champion Its Music Scene And Unlock Future Opportunities

Bradford’s music sector comes together at Bradford Live to launch a shared strategy for the district’s music future, with support from the BPI and a foreword from Bradford-born artist Nia Archives.

Bradford’s artists, venues, promoters and music organisations will come together at Bradford Live on Thursday 29 October to celebrate the launch of the Bradford District Music Strategy, a new plan to build on the district’s rich musical heritage, creative talent and ambition for the future.

The event will bring together people from across Bradford’s music scene alongside regional and national industry leaders, including Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, and Dr Jo Twist OBE, CEO of the BPI.

The launch is supported by the BPI, the representative body for the UK’s recorded music industry, and Bradford Live, the city’s stunning new entertainment venue. Bradford Culture Company, the charity that delivered Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, is also supporting the strategy, helping to champion Bradford’s music sector and its ambitions for the future.

Dr Jo Twist OBE, Chief Executive of BPI, said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring the launch of this strategy and Bradford’s forthcoming music month. This strategy will play an important role in supercharging Bradford’s well-established music ecosystem, which will be crucial for the success of the college that BPI is opening here – BRIT North. Bradford has a special story to tell through its music and we hope this plan can inspire, support and champion the next generation of talent in the district.”

Music will be at the heart of the celebrations, with live performances from jazz band Toby Brazier Trio, emerging artists from AllStar Entertainment, opera singer Natasha Agarwal and songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist MPTheHitMaker. Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, will speak at the event alongside a presentation of the Bradford District Music Strategy.

Funded by Arts Council England’s Grassroots Music Fund, the strategy has been developed with Bradford’s music sector, with more than 150 people and organisations contributing through engagement sessions, conversations, meetings and a district-wide survey. It reflects both the distinctive character of Bradford’s music scene and a shared determination to build on its strengths.

From its rich musical traditions and independent spirit to its emerging artists and grassroots venues, Bradford has a music story worth celebrating. The strategy sets out how the district can build on that heritage, strengthen opportunities for musicians and music professionals, and raise Bradford’s profile as a place where music can thrive.

It responds to priorities identified by the sector, including better collaboration and coordination, making more of existing spaces and facilities, stronger pathways for emerging talent, developing audiences and attracting new investment.

Alongside the strategy, a practical Action Plan sets out short, medium and longer-term priorities for turning these ambitions into reality. Designed as a living document, it will be reviewed and developed as the work progresses, creating opportunities for more people and organisations to contribute.

Bradford-born artist Nia Archives has written the foreword to the strategy, sharing her personal connection to the city, the musical influences that shaped her growing up and her hopes for the next generation of Bradford talent.

As Nia writes: “I hope this strategy helps bring more opportunities to discover music, more ways to get involved, and more belief in how far being yourself, and being from Bradford, can take you.”

Her contribution captures a central ambition of the strategy: to ensure Bradford’s talent is recognised and celebrated, while creating more opportunities for people to discover, make and build careers in music.

The launch will look ahead to Bradford Music Month in November, a celebration of music taking place throughout the Bradford district. The music strategy project is supporting six venues and promoters to present live music across the district as part of the wider Music Month programme. The project will also create four paid opportunities for young people aged 18–25 to gain practical experience in the music and events sector, putting the strategy’s ambitions for talent development and stronger local opportunities into action.

The launch event takes place at Bradford Live Ballroom on Thursday 29 October, from 4pm to 6pm, with doors opening at 3.30pm. It will be followed by the Bradford Music Scene afterparty.

Tickets are free, but booking is required. Book a ticket at BradfordCulture.co.uk​​​​​​​