Leeds Music Industry Resources
We showcase the key organisations and initiatives driving the music scene forward in Leeds...
Alongside fantastic venues and inspiring artists, the city of Leeds is home to a wide array of inspirational music industry initiatives.
It's these organisations, businesses and communities that help provide platforms for local talent to establish themselves and become musical success stories.
As ICMP looks to launch its undergraduate music courses in Leeds in September 2025, we explore some of the best resources supporting the city's music scene.
Music:Leeds
Music:Leeds is a hub for emerging and established music talent that aims to support and develop music of all styles and cultures.
The organisation does this through workshops and networking events alongside championing the creative work of local performers and musicians.
It collaborates with different partners including funding bodies, local and national government to provide opportunities. This includes Launchpad, an emerging talent development scheme set up in 2019 to offer opportunities.
Music: Leeds also has a weekly playlist it regularly updates with new music by artists from Leeds and the wider region.
West Yorkshire Music Network
The West Yorkshire Music Network is a newly-established initiative aimed at connecting music industry professionals in Leeds and beyond.
The scheme is part of Mayor Tracy Brabin's £2.3 million 'You Can Make It Here' programme, designed to support and drive growth across the creative industries.
She said: "We're giving a voice to music professionals in West Yorkshire, and helping them to collaborate on opportunities and unleash their full potential."
"There is so much talent and ambition in our region, and this network will help to drive opportunities, growth and inward investment."
It will also seek to attract national music sector activity and interest at conferences and events while supporting creatives too.
Futuresound Group
The Futuresound Group is an important business in Leeds, promoting events including Live at Leeds in the City, Live at Leeds in the Park and the Slam Dunk Festival too.
The business also runs venues in the city including the Wardrobe and the Key Club to offer important opportunities for new talent to take the stage.
Futuresound Artist Management is their management venture, providing artists with an extensive service influenced by experience gained from across all areas of the music industry.
Local bands and acts can also get in touch to submit their music and apply to play at events and festivals. These are paid opportunities although fees vary depending on where they perform.
EMI North
The Universal Music-owned label, EMI Records, recently unveiled the launch of EMI North based in Leeds. Dubbed the UK's "first major label to open outside of London" by EMI, the label aims to work with the very best musical talent in the North of England.
Based at Leeds' Duke Studios, Clive Cawley, is President of the new venture, having left his previous role as Managing Director of EMI.
The record label's goal is to support and invest in artists and creatives in the region, helping them to find new audiences and build their careers alongside creating other music industry employment opportunities too.
Leeds Music Trust
The Leeds Music Trust is a music charity bringing musical benefits to local people, bridging gaps in accessibility and bringing different music communities together.
The organisation offers musical experiences for education and pleasure, for all ages and abilities, via a series of projects, events and workshops.
The charity was born out of the Old Chapel Studios and has had high-profile support from the Kaiser Chiefs and Festival Republic among others.
BBC Music Introducing
BBC Music Introducing is an important platform for new music across the UK. Emily Pilbeam is the presenter and DJ for this in Leeds and Sheffield and is a champion of emerging bands and artists.
This show is BBC Radio's platform set up to support unsigned, undiscovered, and under-the-radar UK talent.
It gives artists the opportunity to be played on local BBC Radio and nationally on Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, 6 Music, the Asian Network and Radio 3, as well as playing Introducing stages at festivals including Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds and Radio 1's Big Weekend.
You can listen to the latest show below and submit your music here.
Music Industry Yorkshire
Music Industry Yorkshire (MIY) was previously known as Plugged In Yorkshire and is an initiative of not-for-profit music and media organisation Higher Rhythm.
It launched as Yorkshire's Music Industry Development Network in 2010, partnering with like-minded organisations and connecting key-players, businesses and events.
All of its work has been aimed at providing support and development opportunities for Yorkshire's established and aspiring music industry professionals.
Alongside masterclasses, mentoring sessions and expert panels, MIY has delivered high-profile international events such as the Yorkshire Artist Stage at SXSW.
Higher Rhythm
Based in nearby Doncaster, Higher Rhythm has offered music and media industry services and opportunities across the Yorkshire region since 2001.
Its work touches various aspects of the industry - under the Higher Rhythm umbrella are two recording studios, a licensed radio station, a record label, digital distribution, events promotion, artist development programmes, enterprise support, volunteering opportunities and much more.
Higher Rhythm is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation as well as helping to run artist development programmes funded by Help Musicians UK and the PRS Foundation's Talent Development Partner network.
Come Play With Me
Come Play With Me is a non-profit music organisation based in Leeds supporting creative careers across various areas of the music industry.
They support music career developments through a record label, bespoke events, a magazine, podcast and training workshops too.
Specialising in supporting people from marginalised communities to further their careers in music, Come Play With Me's mission is to work towards an industry that is both equitable and diverse.
Yorkshire Music Forum
Yorkshire Music Forum (YMF) was formed in 2017 working in artist and music industry development and hosting an annual convention.
With 2024, its eighth edition, the event has seen speakers from across the music industry including Jeremy Lascelles (Chrysalis Records), Rebecca Lucy Taylor (Self Esteem), Korda Marshall (BMG) and panels on artist development, press and media, composition for film and TV, building careers in music and business development.
The 2024 event saw Melvin Benn, Managing Director of Festival Republic, invited to give a special keynote interview alongside two panels curated by Kycker and Music:Leeds/Launchpad.
Main image photo credit | Live at Leeds Facebook
Take the first steps in your music career with ICMP
We've been developing and delivering contemporary music education for over 30 years – longer than any other music school in the UK. With a proven track-record, countless music industry connections and unrivalled access to facilities, it's easy to see why hundreds of students choose ICMP each year.
To completely immerse yourself in your music career, chat with our friendly Admissions Team via email enquiries@icmp.ac.uk or give them a call on 020 7328 0222.
Find your course
We've been developing and delivering contemporary music education for over 30 years – longer than any other music school in the UK. With a proven track-record, countless music industry connections and unrivalled access to facilities, it's easy to see why hundreds of students choose ICMP each year.
To completely immerse yourself in your music career, chat with our friendly Admissions Team via email enquiries@icmp.ac.uk or give them a call on 020 7328 0222.