Blab Music
Sunderlands Year of Music Wraps Up, Calls for Greater Support for Grassroots Venues
After a full year of sound and community, Sunderland’s inaugural Year of Music will wrap up on 21 June 2026. The 12‑month programme delivered 365 days of gigs, workshops, masterclasses and community events across the city, drawing more listeners into local venues and sparking a renewed interest in live music.
The initiative launched a month after Sunderland joined the international Music Cities Network (MCN), a move intended to strengthen the city’s music ecosystem and showcase Sunderland as a creative hub. Over the year, the programme featured festivals, live concerts, educational workshops and development sessions aimed at aspiring musicians.
"The events exposed residents to a wide range of genres and the development sessions helped nurture new talent," said Michelle Daurat, CEO of Sunderland Music City. According to a BBC report, Daurat highlighted the city’s pride in the year’s achievements and the enthusiasm of the local community.
One of the most visible moments came in December, when 174 pianists gathered to attempt a world record for the largest relay piano performance. Daurat described the event as a highlight of the year, underscoring Sunderland’s capacity to host large‑scale music activities.
The Year of Music concluded with the MCN summer summit, held from 18‑20 June in Sunderland. The city became the first UK member to host the summit, welcoming delegates from Berlin, Reykjavik, Sydney and other MCN cities. Wrap‑around events staged in venues across Sunderland reinforced the city’s role as a host for international music dialogue.
Kenny Sanger, director of The Bunker – a long‑standing music studio and community hub – said the year’s activities shone a light on grassroots venues but that additional support is essential. He called for a levy from larger venues to be redistributed to smaller spaces, arguing that such funding would help sustain local businesses and the broader music community.
Sanger noted that the celebration events brought together people of all ages, with younger attendees increasingly forming bands and attending gigs. He observed that while local attendance has improved, it still takes time for a significant uptick in audience numbers.
Lex Davidson, chair of the MCN and based in Sydney, praised Sunderland for weaving music into the city’s identity. According to the network’s statement, Davidson said the city’s community backing and the way it has built a music‑centric environment serve as an inspiration for other MCN members.
The Year of Music will officially close with the Unity in the Community event at Sunderland Minster. The event is scheduled to bring together the city’s diverse music community for a final celebration.
Overall, the programme has demonstrated a growing demand for live music in Sunderland and highlighted the need for sustainable funding models for grassroots venues. The city’s experience as an MCN member and its recent hosting of the summer summit position it as a model for other cities seeking to strengthen local music ecosystems. The main unresolved issue remains how to secure long‑term financial support for the small venues that form the backbone of Sunderland’s music culture.
The initiative launched a month after Sunderland joined the international Music Cities Network (MCN), a move intended to strengthen the city’s music ecosystem and showcase Sunderland as a creative hub. Over the year, the programme featured festivals, live concerts, educational workshops and development sessions aimed at aspiring musicians.
"The events exposed residents to a wide range of genres and the development sessions helped nurture new talent," said Michelle Daurat, CEO of Sunderland Music City. According to a BBC report, Daurat highlighted the city’s pride in the year’s achievements and the enthusiasm of the local community.
One of the most visible moments came in December, when 174 pianists gathered to attempt a world record for the largest relay piano performance. Daurat described the event as a highlight of the year, underscoring Sunderland’s capacity to host large‑scale music activities.
The Year of Music concluded with the MCN summer summit, held from 18‑20 June in Sunderland. The city became the first UK member to host the summit, welcoming delegates from Berlin, Reykjavik, Sydney and other MCN cities. Wrap‑around events staged in venues across Sunderland reinforced the city’s role as a host for international music dialogue.
Kenny Sanger, director of The Bunker – a long‑standing music studio and community hub – said the year’s activities shone a light on grassroots venues but that additional support is essential. He called for a levy from larger venues to be redistributed to smaller spaces, arguing that such funding would help sustain local businesses and the broader music community.
Sanger noted that the celebration events brought together people of all ages, with younger attendees increasingly forming bands and attending gigs. He observed that while local attendance has improved, it still takes time for a significant uptick in audience numbers.
Lex Davidson, chair of the MCN and based in Sydney, praised Sunderland for weaving music into the city’s identity. According to the network’s statement, Davidson said the city’s community backing and the way it has built a music‑centric environment serve as an inspiration for other MCN members.
The Year of Music will officially close with the Unity in the Community event at Sunderland Minster. The event is scheduled to bring together the city’s diverse music community for a final celebration.
Overall, the programme has demonstrated a growing demand for live music in Sunderland and highlighted the need for sustainable funding models for grassroots venues. The city’s experience as an MCN member and its recent hosting of the summer summit position it as a model for other cities seeking to strengthen local music ecosystems. The main unresolved issue remains how to secure long‑term financial support for the small venues that form the backbone of Sunderland’s music culture.
