EMI North – launched earlier this year by the UK’s most celebrated label, EMI – has extended its network into the North East by partnering with Newcastle’s leading talent development agency, Generator, to form a new label focussed on finding new talent from the region.
The area’s rich history of evocative storytelling and passionate people makes Newcastle the perfect place for EMI North’s latest partnership, helping to share these stories and the region’s proud heritage around the world.
With many North Eastern artists already topping the charts and blazing a trail around the globe, and following Generator’s more than 30 years of grassroots work on the local scene, the partnership marks a significant milestone for the ongoing development of the area’s music industry.
Generator are already supported by the North of Tyne Combined Authority’s Skills For Growth programme, PRS Foundation, Arts Council England, Newcastle City Council and Newcastle Gateshead Initiative’s Invest Newcastle and Youth Music strand, and this announcement brings with it significant opportunities in the region.
Creating two full time positions – a label manager and an A&R intern – the label will benefit from EMI North’s infrastructure, drawing on its expertise, influence and connections to help launch local music makers towards stardom.
Commenting on the news, Generator’s CEO Mick Ross is excited for what the future holds for the label:
“For over 30 years Generator has been working to raise up the North East’s music scene and get the region heard nationally and internationally. I am delighted that EMI North have decided to partner with us and most importantly that they’re working with us to establish this truly trailblazing label in the North East – at such an exciting time for the region’s music industry.
“This partnership not only creates jobs but unlocks a whole manner of opportunities for the region’s talent both in front of and behind the mic. I can’t wait to see how many careers we can help to launch over the coming years.”
Clive Cawley, President, EMI North, said:
“Having seen the incredible reaction we had to the announcement of EMI North this year, this is a fantastic opportunity for us to extend our work in Newcastle with a like-minded partner. With Generator in place we can continue establishing our footing and help propel and cultivate the region’s artists, industry careers and form ever stronger ties outside of the capital.”
Rt Hon Lucy Frazer MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said:
“From Sting to Sam Fender, the North East has produced some of the UK’s most inspiring and best-selling musicians, backed by an industry which supports thousands of jobs and drives economic growth every year.
“This Government wants to help maximise the true potential of our Creative Industries which is why I’m delighted EMI North and Generator are joining forces to create more local opportunities for the next generation of British artists to make their mark.”
Councillor Glen Sanderson, North of Tyne Combined Authority portfolio holder of culture, creative and rural, commented:
“This is great news for the city and the region – a real statement of intent about the power of music and culture to drive our economy, and the key role that Generator are playing in supporting that.”
Councillor Nick Kemp, Leader of Newcastle City Council is excited to welcome EMI North to the city:
“This is brilliant news highlighting what exciting times these are for the area’s music industry. Its recognition by the industry of the potential for our region’s talent, represents a significant investment and is one that reinforces the amazing work of Mick and the team at Generator.
“We all know the proud history of storytelling and song writing in our region, this is a real commitment towards building and supporting an industry here for the future, meaning our talent, all the supporting jobs, technicians, engineers, producers etc know they can create careers here in the North East.”
The news comes after a bumper 18 months for Generator, which has emerged from a turbulent pandemic period having doubled its team who will soon be relocating to a prestigious office overlooking Newcastle’s iconic Quayside.
An Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, the agency has continued to deliver a jam-packed line up of major events and innovative programmes for the North East creative community, as well as having relaunched its flourishing creative network and delivered one of the North’s most prominent new music festivals. The autumn sees the organisation’s landmark Technical Skills for the Live Sector level 3 qualification welcome its first intake of students, as it works to plug the widening skills gap in the sector and transition to become a major creative educational provider.