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The Music Cities Network (MCN) is a transnational non-profit association uniting music cities and policy makers around the globe. The network is dedicated to improving communication collaboration, business, arts & policies for all music city stakeholders. The MCN was initiated in 2016 by Sound Diplomacy and Hamburg Music Business and - after five years under the umbrella and support of Hamburg Music - legally established in 2021. Founding members are Aarhus, Bergen, Berlin, Hamburg, Gothenburg, Groningen, Manchester, Nantes, Reykjavik & Sydney. The MCN pursues a holistic approach in its work and includes all stakeholders of the music city ecosystem, including policy makers, music entrepreneurs and artists.

Being a Music City is a concept For example, it can be… : A community of any size with a vibrant music economy Beginning with artists and musicians A home to a broad range of professionals who support artist-, and music entrepreneurs in their career development Offering spaces for education, rehearsal, recording and performance Fostering a live scene with an engaged and passionate audience that provides artists with a fertile ground for developing their craft.

We as Music Cities Network agree that a future-proofed music industry needs to become more diverse, fairer and healthier. That is why we aim to contribute to this mission by intensifying borderless cultural exchange and business opportunities between music cities through enabling platforms empowering innovation. In the light of the ongoing worldwide crises, the existing and emerging challenges of the global music industry have become more vital than ever. We consider city networks to play an even more important role in the future, which is why we already invest into those supportive structures. Last but not least: a worldwide network of music cities, exchanging on a policy level wasn’t existing before - so someone had to do it. :)

In order to facilitate sustainable change in the music industry all stakeholders from artists, music entrepreneurs to policy makers need to be equally empowered and connected. Thus, to bring the greatest benefit, music must be assessed, managed and evaluated like all other forms of infrastructure, for example schools, hospitals and roads. Measurement, upkeep and reflection is the foundation of a successful music policy.

We are a member-based network that actively designs hands-on solutions to bridge the gaps between all music city stakeholders: music policy makers, music entrepreneurs, artists and city marketing strategists. Our actions are aiming towards our vision to get decision makers and politicians to sustainably acknowledge music as an integrated part of city development.

1. Connect We connect with music cities, policy makers, music entrepreneurs and music artists around the globe. We jointly explore and live common transnational values, similarities and differences. 2. Learn We learn from a diverse and experienced team of music cities experts gathered within the network. We get and give advice and insights on good practices and possibilities for music cities policies. 3. Share We share and exchange knowledge on a professional music policy level. We understand ourselves as advocates for a more fair and diverse future in our cities and within the global music industry. 4. Shape We actively shape hands-on solutions to bridge the gaps between music scenes, city marketing and music policy makers. Our joint transnational activities are paving the way for Music Cities prioritizing music and culture policy actively.

.. that both larger and smaller music cities can use to grow and strengthen their music economy: Music and musician-friendly policies; Music Offices; Music Advisory Boards; Engaging the broader community; Providing access to spaces and places; Diverse audience development; and, Music Tourism.

The cost to join the network is 6.500€ net per year for a full member city, which is contributing to the general financing of the Music Cities Network association (such as staff, events, projects, visibility). If you are interested in joining our network, please contact Lena or one of our board members for more information.

For more information on how to join please look at ‘Become a Member Section’.

Member-based means that the aims and agenda are actively shaped by the members and their respective music scenes and stakeholders. Every contact person we work with serves as a doorway into and out of the music scene in every city.

There are a lot of options but for example you can ready more here: The Mastering of a Music City, by Music Canada 2015, here The Music Cities Manual by Sound Diplomacy, 2019, here