Kirklees Council

Kirklees Year of Music 2023 (KYOM23) and Music Cities Events are hosting an open call for local solo artists and bands to take part in Platform: a music exchange and showcase event for Kirklees. Hosted as part of a two-day programme 26 – 27 April at Huddersfield’s Lawrence Batley Theatre, the showcase will give eight local artists and bands an unmissable opportunity for exposure and access to industry professionals. You can apply here.

The call closes at midnight on 5 February 2023 and is open to ready to market talent who write and perform their own original material. Entries will be selected by a high-profile panel of representatives of made up of local, regional and Northern based music industry professionals.

Part of KYOM23’s Music Industry strand, Platform provides a brilliant opportunity for the selected talent to perform to music industry professionals at the showcase event, which will also be recorded and broadcast to influential international buyers including festival, tour and concert organisers, record label managers and artist managers. These buyers will be specially chosen as a good fit with the selected Kirklees artists. Artists and buyers will then be able to meet up virtually via a digital forum hosted and facilitated by Music Cities Events. This exchange will support musicians in securing festival and concert bookings or to sign international record label and management deals. 

Day one of the event, The Artist and Music Business Exchange Showcase, will consist of two music industry panel seminars: one on music publishing which will cover copyright, royalties, income generation and the functions of a music publisher; and one focussed on development and artist management which will cover the role of artist managers and how they work alongside talent to develop their careers in the industry. 

The second day will feature the public showcase where each selected act will have a 20-minute live session held in front of an invited audience of music industry representatives and fans, which will also be recorded and uploaded digitally, available on demand for international buyers.

Platform will also be a strong investment into the Kirklees music ecosystem, developing career-lasting relationships between key Kirklees music business stakeholders and music buyers providing valuable insights for the region’s music industry. 

Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council said: “This is an amazing opportunity for musicians and bands in the Kirklees region. It will also enable us to put our music offer on the map internationally. Working with a world-leading organisation like Music Cities will create opportunities and build relationships with the global music industry that will benefit Kirklees not just during the Year of Music, but well into the future.”

Councillor Will Simpson, Cabinet Member for Culture at Kirklees Council added: “Here in Kirklees we've got a wealth of creative talent, and our Year of Music will shine a light on the brilliant artists right on our doorstep. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for local musicians to come face to face with top international figures from the music industry, develop career-defining partnerships and continue to put Kirklees on the cultural map."  

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Notes to Editors 

About Kirklees Year of Music 2023 (KYOMO23)

Kirklees Year of Music in 2023, is a unique, place-based, cultural change programme initiated and led by Kirklees Council, part of the wider cultural offer in the region of West Yorkshire over the coming three years.  2023 is designated as a Year of Music for the district and, through investment in the district’s diverse music talent, communities and businesses, the year-long programme of events and projects, will strengthen the music ecology of Kirklees from its roots.  

2023 will celebrate the richness and diversity of Kirklees music heritage, the music created and performed today, and the ambition for the future, inclusive of all music genres, all communities and in all forms. 

Kirklees is a place where everyone can hear world class music through festivals and programming; where children and young people have access to high quality musical experiences and education; and where the next generation of musicians and music professionals can build and sustain a high-quality career, with access to the very best industry advice, career opportunities and performance routes. 

@musicinkirklees | #kirkleesyearofmusic | #YearOfMusic2023 | #kyom23 | www.musicinkirklees.co.uk 

Sound Diplomacy

Sound Diplomacy is a global research and strategy consultancy, committed to building and supporting sustainable ecosystems that bring economic development to people, places and cities. They provide research and recommendations to businesses and policymakers to help them make informed decisions on the best use of places and how to stimulate economic, social and cultural growth.

Sound Diplomacy also presents Music Cities Events, the leading series of conferences focused on the business of culture, music and the night-time economy and their importance to communities, recognises the development of robust music ecosystems through the annual Music Cities Awards, and manages the online Music Cities Community. 

Music Cities Events

Music Cities Events organise the biggest international conferences on the topic of music cities, music policy and music tourism. They produce the leading international awards ceremony on music cities - the Music Cities Awards, and run the Music Cities Community, the first-ever platform for professionals in all industries using music to create more value in towns, cities & places.

In everything they do, they aim to educate on the value of music, and showcase the best uses of music by individuals, organisations and cities all over the world. 

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