Some of Hull’s biggest and most prestigious venues have met for the first time in almost 18 months to promote the area as a City of Music.
The Hull City of Music group – made up of some of the area’s biggest and best known venues – was formed early in 2020 but was quickly curtailed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It was set up to encourage the experience of live music within the community through attendance, participation and education, and acknowledge the rich music culture in Hull, its history and its aspirations.
Councillor Rosemary Pantelakis, portfolio holder for art and culture at Hull City Council, said: “Hull is a city with a musical soul, and a strong musical heritage. Iconic venues, like the Adelphi, have nurtured and given a platform to local bands that have gone on to enjoy great success and recognition, and also brought talented musicians from all over the world to play in Hull.
“Fantastic established venues like the Welly Club and City Hall have been joined by the incredible 3,500capacity Bonus Arena, and we also now have one of the most unique and acclaimed annual music festivals in the country with the Humber Street Sesh – a festival with its origins very much rooted in the city’s vibrant music scene.”
The group – made up of venues such as Social, Bonus Arena, Welly, Adelphi, Asylum, Humber Street Sesh, the new Warehouse Project at Princes Quay, O’Reilys and Hull City Hall – met for the first time since March 2020 at Social on Humber Street.
This year’s Humber Street Sesh will attract more than 30,000 visitors, say organisers.
Mark Page, of Sesh Events, said: “Establishing Hull as a ‘City of Music’, has been an ambition of ours at Sesh Events since we started the weekly Sesh live music nights 18 years ago.
“A more collaborative approach between all involved in Hull’s exceptional and burgeoning music sector, will help us to provide more exciting platforms and events such as Humber Street Sesh for the future. The social and economic benefits of this approach are boundless for the city. We’re delighted to be part of this progressive conversation and group.”
The pandemic has had a devastating effect on the live events industry and the group hopes, by working together, they will emerge much stronger to the benefit of the city as a whole.
Hull City of Music will set up a one-stop shop website to promote gigs across all venues in the city as well as social media channels to announce new events.
Councillor Marjorie Brabazon, chair of Hull Culture and Leisure’s Board said: “I am thrilled that our prestigious venues are finally progressing re-opening and that we are part of a partnership that will help to establish Hull as one of the key destinations for high quality cultural experiences for all to enjoy.”
The group aims to meet every month and is looking at engaging with other venues, promoters and artists in the city.
