The UK Government announced that Creative Technology firms and artists in the Liverpool and West Midlands are in line for a large financial boost.
Approximately £13,500.000 is being invested in research and development as well as training to boost economic growth and job opportunities.
The Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy announced: “Liverpool City Region’s MusicFutures cluster will benefit from £6.75 million to bring together partners including the city’s two universities, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Liverpool M&S Bank Arena.”
The cluster will provide funding and training for musicians, educators, and small businesses to harness new technologies such as AI and Extended Reality (XR) and explore how to make the live music sector more environmentally sustainable.
“CreaTech Frontiers in the West Midlands will also benefit from £6.75 million, with the investment focusing on developing small, micro- and medium-sized businesses specialising in creative tech like video games and immersive reality.”
Merseyside and the West Midlands have been selected in the government’s Creative Industries Clusters, delivered by the Arts and Humanities Research Council on behalf of UK Research and Innovation, which aims to grow specialist creative subsectors across the UK. The UK’s world-class creative industries have been named as one of the government’s eight growth-driving sectors in its forthcoming Industrial Strategy.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “Talent is everywhere but opportunity is not. That’s why we are supporting firms, artists and freelancers that are innovating, using new technology and driving growth in creative clusters across the country.”
“Liverpool and Merseyside hold a special place in our nation’s music landscape, and this funding will support imagination and experimentation across the city and region, as creators explore how we can make gigs more environmentally friendly”.
Liverpool Creative Cluster: MusicFutures
At The Merseyside Acme, we’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on MusicFutures, an initiative designed to supercharge growth and innovation in the Liverpool City Region’s vibrant music sector. With over 1,400 music businesses already calling Liverpool home, the city’s musical heartbeat is about to grow even stronger.
Led by the University of Liverpool in collaboration with Liverpool John Moores University and 21 strategic partners, including the ACC Liverpool Group (operators of Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena), Adlib, and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, MusicFutures is backed by industry heavyweights like LIVE, UK Music, and the Intellectual Property Office. Together, this powerhouse team is setting the stage for Liverpool to lead the UK in music innovation.
Pioneering Innovation and Sustainability
MusicFutures is all about pushing boundaries. By focusing on research and development (R&D), nurturing talent, and exploring emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), this initiative is primed to establish Liverpool as the UK’s top hub for music innovation. Leveraging Liverpool’s distinction as the world’s first UN Accelerator city, MusicFutures will tackle environmental challenges head-on while advancing economic sustainability through forward-thinking solutions tailored for the live music sector.
Boosting Local Businesses and Talent
MusicFutures is committed to creating new opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with initiatives including:
- Start-up incubators to support fledgling businesses.
- Scale-up programmes for growth-stage companies.
- Responsive R&D funding for cutting-edge projects.
- Bespoke training programmes for music makers and educators, offering expertise in areas like intellectual property (IP) management and the ethical use of generative AI.
These tailored programmes are set to empower local talent while ensuring the Liverpool City Region remains at the forefront of the global music scene.
Driving Global Recognition and Cross-Industry Impact
MusicFutures isn’t just about music—it’s about reshaping Liverpool’s creative economy and expanding its influence. By fueling breakthroughs in artistic expression, technology, and intellectual property, MusicFutures will:
- Create high-value jobs.
- Open pathways for music professionals to collaborate with sectors like gaming, film, and extended reality (XR).
- Cement Liverpool’s reputation is that of a global leader in music innovation. Learn more about other Liverpool Regeneration projects with our dedicated resource area.
A Vision for Transformation
As Professor Richard Koeck, project lead for MusicFutures at the University of Liverpool, puts it:
“The UK music sector is worth £7.6 billion annually, and while these figures highlight strength, they also mask significant challenges. Liverpool’s thriving ecosystem of over 1,400 businesses is the perfect environment to innovate and test ideas that can propel music businesses nationally and strengthen our international standing.”
“Our goal is clear: to transform the Liverpool City Region into a global leader in music innovation. By connecting our world-class research capacity with the city’s thriving creative sector, MusicFutures will enhance Liverpool’s global reputation while delivering a boost to other highly successful creative industries across the region.”
At The Merseyside Acme, we’re excited to see MusicFutures energize Liverpool’s creative economy. This initiative promises to not only honor the city’s rich musical legacy but also ensure it remains a global force for generations to come.