Damian Morgan included in the Greater Manchester Music Commission

BIMM Institute Manchester’s very own Head of Creative Industries, Damian Morgan, has been announced as part of the Greater Manchester Music Commission, a new body championing music and arts throughout Greater Manchester.

The 25 people and two organisations that have been appointed to the Commission include artists, managers, broadcasters, venue owners, festival founders, and record labels and is a gender-balanced panel that has representation from throughout the city and across a diverse range of musical genres. The Commission aims to meet four times a year, with the first meeting this month.

What will the Commission do?

• Identify opportunities to develop talent and audiences within the Greater Manchester music ecology and its prominence, reputation, and success both nationally and internationally.
• Identify areas requiring intervention.
• Prioritise these opportunities and challenges within the local context.
• Oversee StreamGM, the not-for-profit ethical streaming service designed to provide a global platform for Greater Manchester talent.
• Investigate ways to promote music from Greater Manchester worldwide, including an investigation into the feasibility of a major music industry event in Greater Manchester.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “I am so proud to be announcing today the members of our first-ever Greater Manchester Music Commission. We had a fantastic response to the call that went out earlier this year, and the commissioners we’ve appointed represent all aspects of the vibrant, diverse, and exciting music scene across our ten boroughs.

“Manchester has always been the beating heart of UK music. Our history is full of pioneers who did things differently and who were often imitated but never bettered – but we’ve never been content to stand still and revel in the glories of the past. The commissioners’ job will be to represent the Greater Manchester music scene as it is now, championing creators and communities at every level. They will look at new ways of promoting music and developing new talent and work with us to turn those ideas into action. I can’t wait to see how they tackle the task, and I will be following and supporting them every step of the way.”

Damian himself had this to add: “I’m very proud to have been chosen to represent the interests of emerging musicians as part of the newly founded GM Music Commission. It aims to help develop talent and audiences within the Greater Manchester area. I hope that our work will improve the landscape for bands and artists in Manchester and enhance their experience in what is, in my opinion, the most exciting music city in the UK.”

Huge congrats to Damian. It’s so amazing to have someone representing BIMM Institute in the heart of Greater Manchester’s ever-developing music scene.