BBC Introducing partners with North-East music leaders to boost region’s artists

BBC Introducing has partnered with The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, The Fire Station, Tees Music Alliance, Middlesbrough Town Hall, and Generator to create new opportunities for North East artists.

The new partnership will provide regional musicians with opportunities to perform at live gigs, access to artist development, and content creation for the BBC Introducing network. The partnership marks a milestone for the North East, becoming the first region-wide effort between BBC Introducing and multiple venues and music organisations to showcase emerging talent.

A ‘BBC Introducing from The Glasshouse’ gig series, will kick off on April 16, and will feature three regional artists in a ‘Pay What You Decide’ format. Each performance will be filmed and uploaded to YouTube, with opportunities for the tracks to be shared across the BBC Introducing network. The first show will spotlight Lizzie Esau, a rising star with support from BBC Radio 1’s Greg James and notable performances at Glastonbury and BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend.

Additionally, BBC Introducing will feature at the popular Stockton Calling festival, with its own stage providing exposure for even more up-and-coming artists. Past performers at the festival have included Sam Fender, Self Esteem, and Blossoms.

This partnership builds on the BBC’s commitment to regional growth. Since signing a landmark MOU in 2021 with 12 local authorities and 3 mayoral authorities across the North East, the BBC has pledged at least £25m in funding for talent development and creative sector support. By 2026, it is set to exceed that target, having contributed £18.6m in value to the region and created 293 local jobs as at August 2024.

The North East continues to be a hub of BBC creativity, from local news services like BBC Wear to productions like The Dumping Ground and Smoggie Queens. In 2024, BBC Proms also returned to The Glasshouse in Gateshead, further cementing the region’s cultural significance.

Through this partnership, BBC Introducing is opening up more doors for North East artists, helping them reach new audiences and find their place in the national music scene.

Since 2007, BBC Introducing has been a launchpad for unsigned and emerging artists, helping them secure radio play and grow their fanbases. The platform has supported breakout talents like Sam Fender, Ed Sheeran, The 1975, Little Simz, and Arlo Parks. Offering a direct route to regional and national airplay, BBC Introducing also gives artists the incredible opportunity to perform on iconic stages at major festivals, including Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds.

Kelly Betts, Editor from BBC Introducing says: “The music scene in the North East is hugely exciting and this partnership is our commitment to the artists. We’re creating steps from grassroots to national stages together from initiatives like Generates’ First Notes, showcases at The Glasshouse & The Fire Station to festival performances at Stockton Calling and one day maybe even Glastonbury!”

Wendy Smith, Creative Director at The Glasshouse says: “As we celebrate our 20th birthday, this partnership shows our dedication to nurturing artists and creating opportunities for them to thrive in the North East. It’s an exciting step forward as we look to our third decade of making music accessible to all. Linking with other brilliant North East independents to support the region’s musicians is the latest step to build on collaborations like Newcastle Gateshead Music City and Sonic Futures in the Tees Valley. We’re delighted that BBC Introducing are with us to platform artists on stage and through their broadcast channels.”

Alice Fuller, Deputy CEO at Generator says: “The BBC Introducing Network has the potential to infiltrate all levels of the industry, from supporting emerging artists on a regional level, all the way through to breaking and supporting music acts in both live and recorded environments at a global level. Uniting the collective forces of North East music behind BBC Introducing gives artists in this region even more confidence to follow their dreams. Getting them onto the BBC’s radar, and everything that could mean, is a hugely exciting development.”

Tamsin Austin, Venue Director at The Fire Station, says: “At The Fire Station we are 100% committed to supporting artists from the earliest stages of their career and love nothing more than seeing artists grow from playing small support slots and showcases to playing main stages and their own headline shows! There’s an amazing buzz around music in Sunderland right now and we’re delighted to play our part in that by bringing BBC Introducing to Wearside.”

Paul Burns, CEO of Tees Music Alliance says, “We’ve worked closely with BBC Introducing locally over the years, so it’s great to be part of a region wide partnership.   The partnership will pool the combined strengths of its members, which can only be a good thing for the artists that we’re all working with – allowing talent from all parts of the region to get onto the radar of key players in the music industry.”

Kesia Bruce, General Manager at Middlesbrough Town Hall, said: “Middlesbrough Town Hall has a long history of hosting new and emerging artists, and we’re thrilled to continue to champion the North East music scene through this partnership. Having worked with BBC Introducing at a local level, we’re excited to see the enhanced opportunities we can provide for local artists through the combined strengths of a region-wide effort.”

There will also be opportunities for young creatives from the BBC trainee programmes to contribute to the new partnership, as curators, content creators as hosts of BBC Introducing stages and content in the region.

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