Best Music Businesses in Leeds
We explore some of the best music industry businesses to be based out of Leeds...
Leeds is known for its great musical history, brilliant network of venues and ground-breaking artists it has helped shape and inspire.
Surrounding this, a number of music businesses have now been born in the city and are supporting local creatives in their industry endeavours.
As ICMP looks to launch its undergraduate music courses in Leeds, we explore some of the most important music businesses in the city.
Futuresound Group
Futuresound has been hosting concerts for over 20 years across Leeds, Yorkshire and beyond. Putting on over 400 shows a year the company has worked with a number of world famous acts from their first gig in the region to arena and large-scale outdoor shows.
Futuresound organises a wide range of events include Live at Leeds in the Park, Live at Leeds in the City, Live at Ludlow Castle, Live at York Museum Gardens and Live at Kirkstall Abbey.
The company also has an artist management arm where it works with new talent to help them grow and sustain industry careers.
EMI North
EMI North's vision is to improve the music industry infrastructure in the North of the UK to make the ambitions of talent - both musical and business - come true.
EMI North is believed to be the first ever major label office based outside of London in the UK and aims to support and invest in artists and creatives across this part of the country, helping them to find new audiences and build their careers.
Artists on the label include jazz artist Lois Levin who hails from Birkenhead, Manchester indie outfit Doves and singer-songwriter Nadine Shah.
Clue Records
Clue Records is an independent record label based in Leeds.
Formed in 2012 by childhood friends Scott and Ste, before being joined by Tony following a merger with Hatch Records, Clue has supported artists across the UK, with a particular focus on Northern talent. The label aims to champion independent artists and shine a light on new artists via their monthly Amazing Radio show.
Some of the success stories to release music via the label include the Wedding Present and Nine Black Alps.
Jumbo Records
Jumbo Records was established in1971 by Hunter Smith, the name and logo coming from the successful disco and DJ business he was involved with called Jumbo Mobile Discotheque.
The shop ws initially established itself in Leeds' Queens Arcade before moving to its current home in the Merrion Centre in 2017, a modern space allowing room for more stock, a coffee area, book stand and a small stage for the regular 'in-store' gigs.
Hunter retired in 2014 with the business sold to dedicated customers Nick Fraser and Justinia Lewis. Alongside other shops including Crash Records, Jumbo continues to play a vital role in Leeds' local music scene.
Find out more | Photo credit - Jumbo Records Facebook
Music Vine
Production music business Music Vine was born in 2015 with the company initially aiming to democratise music licensing to make it straightforward for creatives to find the right tracks.
Led by CEO Lewis Foster and Managing Director Matt Russell, the business has steadily grown, sourcing music for many incredible productions made around the globe.
More than 6,000 tracks are part of Music Vine's catalogue with brands including Adidas, Amazon, Audible and North Face among those utilising its service.
Greenmount Studios
Greenmount Studios is run by Jamie Lockhart, who helms indie folk collective Mi Mye, musician/engineer Rob Slater and artist and engineer Lee Smith.
The space specialises in mixing contemporary recording techniques with vintage and analogue gear.
According to Lee" "We believe in capturing the atmosphere of a group of musicians playing and interacting with each and we mix with the same ethos: from your ears to your hands, from the tape machine to the console."
Many local bands and artists have worked from the studio including The Cribs, Pulled Apart by Horses, ¡Forward, Russia! and Submotion Orchestra.
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.