Warner Music º£½ÇÊÓƵ, the heavyweight of the record label industry, alongside music development agency Generator, have unveiled exciting plans to establish a major studio facility in Newcastle.
Dubbed Warner Music Newcastle, this ambitious project promises to bring "world leading" recording and production facilities into Newcastle's cultural core through a "substantial" investment.
The blueprint for the facility includes state-of-the-art recording studios, sophisticated editing suites, bespoke podcasting studios, and a variety of other creative spaces designed for content creation. Although the shortlist of potential locations is still under wraps, the provision of the facility will create jobs and provide a substantial boost to local musicians, production assistants, engineers, as well as photographers and filmmakers.
Mick Ross, CEO of Generator, said: "We're beyond excited to be in position to announce this partnership. It's the result of months and months of planning, a number of visits to the region from Warner Music's top executives and the support of a host of partners to get us to the stage where we can proudly say we're bringing a standard of music production to the North East that won't just be the envy of the region, the north, or indeed the º£½ÇÊÓƵ."
He added that the vibrancy of the North East recording scene, with its wealth of independent studios, will only be enhanced by Warner Music's presence. "Our ambition has been to deliver something that is world-leading and we're so thrilled our ambitions have been matched by Warner Music's own with their commitment to this project.
Tony Harlow, CEO of Warner Music º£½ÇÊÓƵ, added: "Since discussing the project with the Generator team and its supporters in the region, we knew we had the right delivery partners. We can't wait to start work on site and get the studios into operation as soon as possible."
He further articulated the company's vision, adding: "Our vision at Warner Music is not only to represent the world's greatest musical talent, but to provide facilities, opportunities and pathways into the music industry for tomorrow's generations of talented musicians and producers. This will be a true, accessible focal point for the North East's musical and creative communities that we know already exist in abundance."
The announcement of Warner Music Newcastle's plans aligns with an upward trend for the region's music and creative sectors, which looks forward to NewcastleGateshead being transformed into a dedicated MusicCity and hosting the prestigious MOBO music awards in Newcastle next year.
North East mayor Kim McGuinness said: "A major new recording studio forms part of my vision to give the North East the place it deserves on the global music map. Alongside plans for a major new film studio in Sunderland, and the MOBO awards coming to the region in February, this shows how we are investing to create real opportunity for new generations of creative talent."
McGuinness also voiced her anticipation for future success stories, stating, "I am excited to see who will follow in the footsteps of stars like Sting, Sam Fender, Nadine Shah and Jade Thirlwell in going from the North East to a worldwide stage as a result of the decisions we are making today."
Coun Karen Kilgour, leader of Newcastle City Council, enthused about the local talent and the significant impact of the cultural developments in Newcastle, stating: "We know there is so much talent in Newcastle and this announcement is huge for the culture sector for the entire city region. It provides an accessible route into the industry for budding artists here on Tyneside. The MOBOs is heading to Newcastle in the new year, a bid to make Newcastle Gateshead a Music City has just been launched and now we are set to welcome a major new music studio to the city. This will help create new jobs, skills and investment for the whole of the North East and make a lasting impact on Newcastle that will benefit every resident in our city."
Echoing these sentiments, Coun Amanda Hopgood, leader of Durham County Council and North East Combined Authority Cabinet member for culture, creative, tourism and sport, highlighted the wealth of talent in the region and the importance of supporting it: "Our region is full of talented individuals and it's important we create and seize as many opportunities as we can to support them to pursue their dreams. Together with Crown Works Studio's £450m film studio development in Sunderland, Warner Music Newcastle will help establish our region as a hub for creative industries. It will create skilled jobs, attract further investment and will demonstrate to young people that they don't need to leave the North East to work in film, television and music. We welcome this investment and will do everything we can to help bring it to fruition."
