Sunderland Year of Music Celebrates aTransformative Year That Put Music at the Heart of the City

After 365 days of live performances, community celebrations, educational projects and industry collaboration, the inaugural Sunderland Year of Music has drawn to a close, leaving a legacy for the city’s cultural life, creative economy and music community. Running from 21 June 2025 to 21 June 2026, Sunderland Year of Music was launched to celebrate the city’s rich musical heritage while creating new opportunities for artists,
audiences, venues and communities.

The initiative followed Sunderland’s landmark recognition as an official member of the global Music Cities Network, becoming only the second UK city to achieve the status and placing Sunderland alongside internationally recognised music cities including Berlin, Sydney and Manchester.

In one year, more than 500 music events took place across Sunderland, ranging from major concerts and festivals to grassroots gigs, workshops, masterclasses, school projects, community performances and industry events.

Sunderland Year of Music was designed not simply as a celebration, but as a catalyst for long-term change. By supporting both established and emerging artists, strengthening partnerships across education, culture and business, and championing Sunderland’s diverse music scene, the programme reinforced music’s role as a driver of economic growth, tourism, wellbeing and civic pride.

It began with a city-wide welcome event, headlined by Sunderland-born superstar Emelie Sande, and, later that month, legends Franz Ferdinand headlined a jam-packed

Fire Station. The summer saw the inaugural National Mackem Day event sell out the Sheepfolds, along with ‘One City, One Voice’ and the Rugby Women’s World Cup music programme both in the city centre.

Sunderland Music City also launched SonOrbitUs, a year-long piece of music made by the sounds of Sunderland along with Field Music’s Peter Brewis. The interactive installation sits outside the Sunderland Music City office at The Fire Station.

In the autumn, folk music was celebrated at the Heritage Open Day at Ryhope Engines Museum and diverse communities gathered together at the Unity in the Community Weekender at the Minster and the Beacon of Light. Music Against Child Poverty returned for a second year in December, raising over £50,000 for local charity, Love, Amelia, on the same day as world record piano-playing attempt, Keys of the City. In the New Year, Sunderland Music City co-hosted a synth workshop for Independent Venue Week with Independent, held a jazz event at Sunderland Minster with Old Black Cat Jazz Club and launched Sunderland Music City Radio which continues to broadcast after Sunderland Year of Music. Landmark event Washington Folk Festival also saw three sold out nights at Arts Centre Washington across Easter Weekend.

The final month of the Year of Music, Sunderland Music City hosted the Music Cities Network Summer Summit, and the wraparound programme of Summit Week Sunderland. Delegates from across Europe and Australia came to take part in their working conference spearheading music tourism and policymaking, whilst also
attending public gigs MCN Live: Sunderland and An Evening with The Futureheads. The A to B conference for early career musicians and TechNExt Creative Hub both sold out across this week too.

Throughout the year, Sunderland Music City held a number of panel discussions and industry expert sessions with the likes of Maximo Park’s Paul Smith, and hosted a range of music industry professionals on its official podcast.

The Sunderland Year of Music programme built upon Sunderland Music City’s wider ambitions set out in its five-year strategy, which aims to establish Sunderland as one of Europe’s leading music cities by investing in talent development, supporting venues, encouraging innovation and making music accessible to everyone.
As Sunderland Year of Music concludes, its impact is expected to continue through stronger partnerships, increased national and international recognition, and a growing confidence in Sunderland’s music sector.

Michelle Daurat, CEO of Sunderland Music City, said: ” Sunderland Year of Music has shown what is possible when an entire city comes together through music. We’ve celebrated our incredible musical heritage, supported new talent, welcomed new audiences and created opportunities that will continue long after the final event. This has never been about one year alone, it’s about building a sustainable future where music plays a central role in Sunderland’s identity, economy and cultural life.”

With the success of the Sunderland Year of Music, Sunderland Music City now looks ahead to delivering the next phase of its ambitious five-year strategy, ensuring music continues to play a leading role in shaping the city’s future.

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England and the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.