Low Four Studio have announced a partnership with the University of Salford, with plans for a new annual music conference, Soundcheck, which is set to debut in April 2024. The conference is designed to spotlight Greater Manchester’s music scene, offering both in-person and online discussions focused on the city’s recording and live performance sectors and a comprehensive analysis of available support schemes for artists.
To be hosted at two venues, Low Four Studio on Deansgate Mews and the University’s Peel Park campus, Soundcheck aims to generate new research projects for staff and students in the University’s School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology. The conference will feature interactive workshops, training sessions, and opportunities for attendees to contribute to research output dialogues.
Daniel Parrott, Co-Director of Low Four Studio and Programme Lead for the Music Management and Creative Enterprise degree, shared his excitement about the conference. “Soundcheck will appeal to all music fans, musicians and those working in the city’s pioneering music scene. We look forward to bringing leaders from across the sector to discuss strategies to keep this region at the forefront of the UK music scene,” he said.
Dr Brendan Williams, Co-Director of Low Four Studios and Reader in Music Technology at the University, further underscored Soundcheck’s ambitious aims. He said, “This conference will address the challenges faced by artists, managers, promoters, and technologists. Beyond our local situation, Soundcheck aims to gather the brightest minds in the industry for a national conversation.”
The forthcoming conference has been informed by a series of enlightening pilot discussions recorded last year, featuring several prominent figures in the region’s music industry. Funded by the University and UK Research and Innovation, these panels are now available for viewing online, with contributions from YES, Porij, KSR, Dave Haslam, The Albert Hall, The Stoller Hall, United We Stream, Reform Radio, Manchester Collective, among others. They address crucial topics such as how the area’s music venues responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, Manchester’s standing as a global music destination, and the future of live-streaming music performances.
More specifics about the line-up and programme for the inaugural 2024 event will be disclosed later this year, promising a fascinating and vibrant exploration of Greater Manchester’s music landscape, its challenges, opportunities, and future potential.
