Situated in the North-West of England, Liverpool recognizes creativity as a means of sustaining its post-industrial renewal. Home to 470,000 inhabitants and one of the most influential rock bands in history, music is at the heart of Liverpool’s’ cultural identity and is an important driver of its local economy, generating more than £70 million in annual turnover.

In addition, the city provides support to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, which attracts over 260,000 visitors annually. The city also undertakes several cross-cutting initiatives with universities and rehabilitation centres by supporting talent and creative development for young artists from vulnerable groups in particular. Liverpool is committed to supporting music in all genres, as well as to invest in the role of music as a lever to enhance civic participation and social cohesion.

Liverpool’s vitality in the music field is shown by the sheer breadth of a diverse scope of festivals. Liverpool International Music Festival, Liverpool Sound City, Africa Oye and Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia are all flagship events. The public spaces and parks of the city are also licensed as outdoor venues and have been the settings for many large scale concerts, such as the Olympic Torch Relay Concerts and the Music on the Waterfront, bringing an average of 20,000 festivalgoers.

Culture and creativity have been core components of the city’s urban regeneration strategies since the 1980s. In recent years, the city has renewed its commitment through the Liverpool Culture Action Plan 2014 – 2018. In two years of implementation, the city has invested more than £1.3 million into 15 different music organisations and delivered music events to support the emergence of local artists. This continued financial support, targeting early stage creative businesses in particular, highlights Liverpool’s pledge for sustainable urban renewal and development through creativity.