Transforming Music in West Yorkshire: History, Heritage and Industry

Research at Leeds School of Arts is catalysing music strategies pursued by West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and is being used in collaboration with cultural organisations such as Leeds Civic Trust and Leeds Museums. Firstly, research on the economic and cultural value of music in Leeds inspired the creation of Music:Leeds to support, develop, grow and promote music in West Yorkshire across all levels, genres and cultures. It has also directly influenced the formation of Launchpad, which has established new mechanisms for developing, strengthening and promoting music and the music industries across Yorkshire; most notably through the economic support of 130 artists, emerging music industry professionals, and those aspiring for music careers aged between 14 and 25.

Secondly, research on Leeds’ music history and heritage has directly contributed to the establishment of specialist blue plaque markers, a series of heritage walk and a dedicated Music Map App. Research on Leeds’ music history and heritage is currently contributing to the curation of an exhibition on the wide-ranging narratives of popular music in Leeds entitled Music Leeds Us, which will open in October 2025 and run until September 2026. Research at Leeds School of Arts has been used by these initiatives to improve opportunities for musicians and artists within the regional musical economy, enhance the offering of musical tourism, and continues to change public understanding of, and engagement with, popular music history and heritage within West Yorkshire.