Liverpool's Bid for UNESCO City of Music Status Moves Closer

Leading music industry figures met last night to finalise Liverpool's bid to be England's first Unesco City of Music.

More than 100 composers, musicians, theorists and industry leaders met at the Contemporary Urban Centre to share ideas on how Liverpool can develop its music offer and make the most of the Unesco bid.

The special session was headlined by a presentation by music chiefs from Glasgow, which received Unesco City of Music status in August, 2008.

Liverpool's bid already had wide support, ranging from internationally renowned organisations such as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Cream to festival organisers and from bars and clubs to major venues such as ACC Liverpool.

Cllr Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council, who chairs Liverpool's Unesco bid steering group, said: ''I'm delighted with the way all strands of the city's music sector have come together to work on this bid with the aim to maximise its full potential. The bid has excited and energised everyone involved so far, and I'm sure this will accelerate as the ideas continue to flow and grow.''

Michael Eakin, Chief Executive of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, added: "One of the biggest things to come out of the sessions has been almost universal enthusiasm for Liverpool's musical output. There was a definite openness and a sense of where we go from here."

Liverpool's bid team is now undertaking a massive four- month mapping exercise of the city's music before it officially hands in its bid in the spring..

If approved, it will join an exclusive club of four other Unesco cities of music and become a member of the Unesco Creative Cities Network.

Gordon Ross, the Co-ordinator of the bid, said: "Support for the Unesco bid has been overwhelming, and there's a real desire from everyone involved and affected, be it the musicians, promoters, teachers and venue managers to put music at the heart of the city's identity."

There is also a Facebook page, called Liverpool City of Music, where everyone is encouraged to log on and leave their views about the Unesco bid.