Hull City Council is set to showcase the power of global musical collaboration at this year’s Humber Street Sesh with the launch of the ‘Music Cities Stage’, with support from Connexin Live.
As part of a pilot project, the council has put together a special lineup of talented musicians, all invited from existing UNESCO Creative Cities.
The initiative provides a platform for collaborative working between the cities and serves as a vital learning experience as Hull prepares its formal bid to join the prestigious UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2027.
The ‘Music Cities Stage’ will feature:
- Michael Aldag, The Kairos and Astles – Liverpool
- Kai Reesu, Conscious Pilot and Heavyskint – Glasgow
- Likor – Norrköping
- Lydia Prettyman – Manchester
- Bonneville and Flat Number Two – York
- Deus Ego – Nottingham
Councillor Jackie Dad, deputy leader and portfolio holder for culture, said: “Bringing these incredible artists from across the UNESCO network to the heart of Humber Street Sesh is a bold step in our ambition to become a UNESCO City of Music.
“This pilot project allows us to forge connections with international partners and demonstrate exactly why Hull deserves its place on the global stage.
“We are learning, growing and setting the scene for our 2027 bid through the universal language of music.”
Kevin McManus, Head of UNESCO City of Music Liverpool, said: “Liverpool is delighted to support Hull’s ambitions and to be part of this exciting new collaboration. The UNESCO Creative Cities Network is built on the principles of partnership, creativity and international exchange and initiatives such as the Music Cities Stage demonstrate how music can connect communities, create opportunities for artists and strengthen relationships between cities.”
Sandra Wall, UNESCO City of Music Norrköping, Sweden, said: “We are proud to see Norrköping represented on the Music Cities Stage and to work alongside Hull and our fellow UNESCO Creative Cities.
“International collaboration is at the heart of what we do and this project shows how cities can learn from one another while giving audiences the chance to discover new artists, new perspectives and new musical experiences. This also builds on previous exchanges from site visits to links with the Cultural Tides conference.”
Mark Page, Festival Director said: “We’re delighted to host the Music Cities Stage at Humber Street Sesh with support from Hull City Council. Festivals have an important role to play in creating opportunities for artists, audiences and cultural exchange and this initiative enables us to strengthen relationships with UNESCO Creative Cities across Europe.
“It’s exciting to welcome artists to Hull and to showcase the city’s growing national and international music connections. We see this as the beginning of something that can develop over the coming years, helping Humber Street Sesh build lasting partnerships, support artist exchange and play an active role in Hull’s journey towards becoming a UNESCO City of Music.”
The stage promises to be a festival highlight, offering audiences a unique opportunity to experience diverse sounds from some of Europe’s most vibrant musical hubs.
Humber Street Sesh takes place Saturday 1 August at the Fruit Market. More info can be found at Humber Street Sesh.