WE, THE LEADERS
New Voices, New Work, Next Steps
In October 2024 Manchester will host WOMEX (Worldwide Music Expo), the biggest conference of the global music scene. Each year the event brings together over 2,600 music professionals (including 260 performing artists) from 90 different countries.
WE, THE LEADERS is the WOMEX 24 legacy programme. With its overarching theme of ‘New Voices, New Work, Next Steps’, the programme will animate the city during WOMEX 24 and ensure a long-lasting impact beyond the event.
The programme has 3 phases of delivery:
- A pre-WOMEX programme running until October 2024
- Activity in and around WOMEX itself (23-27 October)
- A post-WOMEX programme running through to 2025
Benefiting thousands of young people, music creators and professionals, WE, THE LEADERS will support and champion the new and emerging trailblazers in the music industry – both in Manchester and across the UK & Ireland.
WE, THE LEADERS includes:
- Global Music Leaders - a leadership programme for music industry change makers from across the world, in partnership with the British Council
- Three bold new Creative Commissions examining global music cultures
- Here to Remember with Daytimers - a commission for South Asian and South Asian mixed heritage artists to explore collective memory and archives
- A training programme for young producers and youth-led music conference for 16-30's - launch event taking place on 22 October at Contact Theatre
- Future Forming Symposium on 23 October - a one-day event bringing together dynamic leaders in music to share visions, discuss challenges and (re)imagine the future of the industry
- A supplementary schools programme for Manchester’s young diaspora communities - please contact Lucy Wallace for more information
Join us
If you'd like to get involved and support the programme, we'd love to hear from you.
Please contact [email protected] to arrange a chat.
“Hosting the biggest conference of the global music scene in Manchester is an incredible opportunity for our city region and the UK & Ireland more broadly. However we know the industry can be a tough place, particularly for those from marginalised and underrepresented groups. Working closely with our amazing partners and with thanks to our supporters, we will work to ensure a broad range of people at different stages of their music career can make the most of this major event coming to the city, and that the legacy of WOMEX 24 is felt for years to come.”
Kate Lowes, Director, Brighter Sound
Manchester Welcomes the World - WOMEX 24
Thank you to our partners and supporters
Manchester Music City (MMC) is the local host partner for WOMEX 24.
The organisations involved in the delivery of WOMEX 24 are Manchester City Council, Brighter Sound, English Folk Expo and Marketing Manchester, in partnership with Piranha Arts, Horizons, British Council, Black Lives in Music and Attitude is Everything.
WOMEX 24 and WE, THE LEADERS is supported by Manchester City Council, Arts Council England, British Council, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Manchester Airport Group, VisitBritain, The Granada Foundation and Contact.
