Bradford City, in County Durham launches it’s City of Culture 2025 music month, this November.

This follows after the City was crowned the winner of the hotly contested UK City of Culture 2025 competition. Bradford placed their bid and they were announced as the winners in May 2022.

The City of Culture was established in 2009. After the success of Liverpool’s year of the European Capital of Culture 2008, the city saw significant social and economic benefits. Andy Burnham the UK’s Culture Secretary from 2008-2009, considered establishing the British City of Culture prize and that the winning city might possibly host events such as the Turner Prize, Brit Awards, Man Booker Prize and the Stirling Prize. It was later announced by Sir Ben Bradshaw in July 2009 that a competition to select the first UK City of  Culture would go ahead.

Bradford City has teased a few details of their music month, including promises of Bassline and Bhangra Sober Rave. The City themes are rooted in Bradford’s unique heritage and character, revealing the borough’s magic hidden in its people, its ambitions and above all its potential.

Full details will be unveiled end of September. The music month will be made up of musicians, venue managers and record labels. Promising to “inspire, entertain & engage” with all of Bradford’s unique and diverse community.

Support for the Cultural Music Month will be provided by Bradford Council, Bradford Producing Hub Art Council England, QM Records founder Ned Archibong, musician Sinead Campbell, and events Manager Gail Simpkins.

Mr Archibong said “Music is such a powerful thing.” “The month is about showcasing everything that’s happening in the local music scene, it’s an opportunity to highlight all the good things that are going on here.”

Sinead posted on Instagram, she said “Feeling grateful to be project managing this years November Is Music Month.” Further she added in her post, “I have some exciting projects and plans in line for the next few years towards Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture”

Not only with the City of Culture be set to bring together it’s diverse and well-rounded community, but it is providing opportunities for local musicians to receive funding and support to put their own concerts together. The cash boost supports the Government’s ambition to grow the economy, with approximately 1,000 performances by local artists and creatives expected to attract more than 15 million visitors in 2025. For more information on the support provided click here.

Sinead Campbell, Bradford Music Month Project Manager added, “Music Month shines a light on the diverse gigs and workshops happening around the district. We also programme our own unique events that bring something a little different to Bradford such as sober raves that bring together Bhangra and Basseline, a Bradford Opera and the Garden of Eden which brings together intimate gigs and a programme of wellbeing music workshops. It is great to work on a project with a goal to grow whilst remaining authentic- keeping values of quality and inclusivity in tact ”

With 2025 UK City of Culture music month nearing, the hope by the team is that it will become a regular date in the district’s cultural calendar.