Live music ecosystems

Newcastle University, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Liverpool, Aston  University and industry partners, has secured a substantial £300,000 Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Catalyst grant for a new groundbreaking project.

The Live Music Mapping Project 2.0: Automating the Mapping, Modelling and Measuring of the Impacts of Regional Live Music Sectors will be co-led by Dr Adam Behr, Reader in Music, Politics and Society at Newcastle University, and is set to transform how live music ecosystems are mapped and understood within regional and national contexts.

Launching in January 2025, the project will test its models in key UK music hubs, with the potential to expand internationally. As the first initiative of its kind to deliver a scalable, automated data collection tool for live music, the Live Music Mapping Project 2.0 will provide valuable, actionable insights to those driving growth within the live music and broader night-time economy.

The two-year project seeks to develop an automated system for gathering and analysing live music data to provide industry partners and policymakers with reliable, timely insights into the music sector's regional impact. By leveraging machine learning, the project will automate data collection processes that traditionally relied on labour intensive, manual methods. This advancement will enable real-time mapping and robust data analysis on key social, cultural and economic indicators of the music industry.

New approaches

Dr Behr will collaborate with Dr Mathew Flynn (University of Liverpool), Dr Patrycja Rozbicka (Aston University), Professor Alex Singleton (University of Liverpool) and Dr Yang Zhang and the team at the Virtual Engineering Centre (VEC). Together, they will work with industry partners including the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), Live Music Industry Venues and Entertainment (LIVE), the Liverpool City Region Music Boards and Birmingham City Council.

“Modern urban life is intimately bound up with cultural provision, and music is integral to that,” said Dr Behr. “From grassroots to headliners, and across an array of businesses and social contexts, live music ecosystems enhance their localities.

“To support this activity, policymakers both locally and nationally require robust data, comparable across locations and contexts.

“This project, and partnership, takes a clear view of the dynamic nature of the live music sector and the creative, policy and industry actors within it.

“Drawing in the perspectives of multiple stakeholders in live music ecosystems, its innovative approach to data gathering will help to maximise the socio-economic benefits of live music and pave the way for new approaches to cultural mapping.”

Dr Rozbicka, senior lecturer in politics and international relations  said:

“Music is more than just entertainment; it is a critical part of our cultural and economic landscape. This project will offer an unprecedented understanding of the live music sector, empowering cities and policymakers to make informed, strategic decisions that benefit both the industry and the communities in which it thrives.

“The Live Music Mapping Project 2.0 builds on previous research to address the challenges associated with mapping the economic, social and cultural contributions of live music.

“With a vision to standardise and advance data collection for the sector, this project will combine venue-specific datasets with public and private data, allowing for new insights and strategies to support regional music economies.

Dr Mathew Flynn, a senior lecturer in Music Industries at the University of Liverpool who is heading the project, said:

“Using machine learning tools to compile and verify datasets, the project aims to introduce an interactive digital platform that displays these insights in intuitive, stakeholder-friendly formats, such as maps and dashboards.

“The platform will allow stakeholders to see live music's role in local economies by tracking data on factors like attendance, venue location, and socio-economic impact. This data will serve as a vital resource for local authorities, policymakers, and industry leaders looking to enhance music ecosystems sustainably.”

A leap forward

Jon Collins, Chief Executive of LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment) said: “The team at University of Liverpool have long understood the value of the UK’ s music industry – economically, culturally and societally.  As policymakers at local, regional and national levels increasingly recognise the potential of our music sector to drive economic growth and social cohesion, it is critical that we have a robust evidence base on which to build policy.  That starts with mapping out the array of players in UK music so we can better understand partnerships, gaps and opportunities.  LIVE is proud to support this project and we look forward to working with Dr Flynn and colleagues to build on the excellent work to date.”

Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, commented:

“This groundbreaking project represents a significant leap forward for the live music and broader night-time economy. The collaboration between the Universities of Liverpool, Newcastle and Aston and key stakeholders, will create invaluable tools to better understand and amplify the impact of live music on local and regional communities.

With real-time data and actionable insights, this initiative has the potential to revolutionize how we approach policy-making, investment, and growth within the sector. Projects like the Live Music Mapping Project 2.0 are essential to driving innovation and sustainability in our industry, ensuring its resilience and relevance for years to come. We’re proud to support this initiative and look forward to seeing the positive outcomes it will bring.”