Hull Music Cities Convention 2026

Date: 10-11 of June 2026

Place: Hull, UK 

Venues: Minster, DoubleTree by Hilton Hull & more to be announced

Over the past decade, Hull has transformed its bubbling grassroots scene into a driving force for cultural advocacy and civic pride. ​From its year as UK City of Culture in 2017 to its five-year plan to achieve UNESCO City of Music status by 2030, Hull has consistently placed music at the centre of cultural, social, and economic transformation.

The city’s legacy is rich — producing world-renowned artists like The Housemartins, ambient icon Throbbing Gristle, Everything but the Girl, and today’s breakthrough rapper Chiedu Oraka. But Hull isn’t only about heritage. It’s about building a future where music drives identity, tourism, and opportunity for the next generation.

Why Hull?

After a decade across four continents and ten countries, Music Cities Convention returns to the UK, spotlighting one of the nation’s most exciting music cities.

​Hull is a city of bold ideas and community-driven change, which has been able to grow as a healthy music ecosystem ready to attract the attention of the rest of the globe.

What to expect

For two days, delegates from over 25 countries will gather in Hull to learn, connect, and co-create the future of music cities. This is more than an event — it’s the next chapter in Hull’s cultural story. 

There will be 300+ delegates from all over the world, 2 full days of talks, 30x speakers and local music showcases.

Event Programme

​This year’s programme explores how music is shaping urban life, policy and economic development, bringing together global leaders to address the most pressing challenges facing music cities today.

Across two days, sessions will cover topics including measuring impact, building resilient music ecosystems beyond major hubs, and delivering bold solutions such as venue protection and artist housing. The programme also explores critical issues including climate, health, infrastructure, creative placemaking, technology, tourism and the night-time economy.

​View the full programme

Speakers and Panellists

We have announced our first wave of speakers, bringing together policymakers, placemakers and cultural leaders from across the world.

Including:
Phil Benson (Phil Benson Consulting), Angharad Cooper (Centre for Music Ecosystems), Alice Glenn (New Orleans & Company), David Haslam (DJ and writer), Ben Lewis (Young Voices), Jessica Marsh (Bird Creatives), Yaw Owusu (Nothin But The Music), and Eva Rowson (Bergen Kjøtt).

More speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

View the announced speakers

This convention is made possible with the collaboration of Hull City Council and the support of Visit Britain, Visit Hull and Hull City of Music.