UK Music Industry Leaders Head to Newcastle for Generator Live Conference on 21 October

Generator is bringing leading figures from across the music and creative industries to Newcastle for Generator Live, a major one-day music conference taking place at Crowne Plaza Newcastle on Wednesday 21 October, as part of the wider Mercury Prize Fringe - and just one day before the prestigious Mercury Prize Awards Show at Utilita Arena Newcastle.

More than 300 delegates are expected to attend, bringing together artists, music professionals and industry leaders from across the UK for a day of big conversations, bold ideas and powerful connections - exchanging ideas, building relationships and exploring the forces shaping the future of the music industry.

From A&R and artist development to BBC Introducing, audience growth, songwriting, touring and international music export, the programme will get under the skin of what it takes to build and sustain a career in today’s music industry.

The conference features a packed programme of talks, fireside conversations, panels, workshops and networking, with speakers including Jo Twist OBE, CEO of the BPI, Shain Shapiro, PhD, Founder and Chair of Sound Diplomacy, Lucy Fletcher, Head of Audience at Warner Music Group, and Nick Faber, Founder & CEO of FABYL.

For artists, one of the standout opportunities will be the chance to put their music directly in front of A&R and label professionals and receive live, constructive feedback. Contributors include producer Danny West, International A&R Manager Josephine Atie and Scott Lewis, Label Manager at EMI North.

Generator Live will also offer bookable 1:1 sessions with music industry professionals, creating direct access to expertise that can often be difficult to reach outside established industry networks.

Artists and aspiring music professionals will be able to ask questions and receive practical, personalised advice on everything from securing their first industry role and accessing funding to artist management, career development and taking their next steps in music. Sessions will bring together a range of professionals including artists, managers, funding and fundraising specialists and community leaders.

Artists will also hear directly from the people behind some of the platforms that can help develop a career. BBC Introducing North East presenter Shakk Hashemi will be joined by local artists Tom A Smith and Jenna Cole to explore the role BBC Introducing can play in an artist’s journey, from those crucial first radio plays to live and showcase opportunities.

Songwriting and collaboration will also take centre stage, with L Devine joining producer and songwriter Chad Rodgers to explore the realities of co-writing, music production and building successful creative partnerships.

Looking beyond the traditional boundaries of the music business, Generator Live will explore how music, fashion and sport intersect to shape identity, influence trends and drive culture across communities and generations. The conversation will feature Johnny Kay, Chief Commercial Officer at VERSUS, and Knacai Ceres McLeod, Senior Creative and Culture Marketing at Island EMI Records, alongside other influential voices from across the creative industries.

Adam MacDonald Project Manager at Generator, said: “Generator Live is about breaking down some of the barriers that can make the music industry feel difficult to access. Talent exists everywhere, but access to the right people, knowledge and networks doesn’t always.

“We’re bringing people working right across the industry to Newcastle and creating opportunities for artists and music professionals here to get in the room with them - to play their music, ask honest questions, make connections and understand more about how the industry works.

“That’s particularly important for us in the North East. There’s an incredible amount of talent and ambition here, and we want to make sure people don’t feel they have to leave the region to access opportunity. Generator Live is about bringing more of those conversations, connections and opportunities here.”

Taking place as part of the wider Mercury Prize Fringe, Generator Live will see Newcastle become a meeting point for artists and industry during one of the biggest weeks in the UK music calendar.

The conference forms part of Generator’s wider work to strengthen the music industry across the North - connecting talent with opportunity, opening up access to national and international networks and bringing more industry activity, investment and opportunity into the region.

Generator Live takes place at Crowne Plaza Newcastle on Wednesday 21 October 2026 as part of the Mercury Prize Fringe. View the full schedule and register for your free place today.