Funding for new 'Mackem' musical history project

A major new heritage project has been awarded funding to preserve Sunderland's musical history.

Sunderland Music City has been awarded more than £150,000 by the National Lottery Heritage Fund for its Mackem Music Memories project.

The organisation, that aims to deliver economic, employment, cultural and social benefits through music, is inviting residents of the city past and present to contribute their memories of the music scene to be used in an exhibition.

Music City's chief executive Michelle Daurat said she hoped the project would "become part of Sunderland's permanent heritage."

£156,166 has been awarded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund and will be used to gather stories of people's most memorable musical moments.

Music City hopes to gather more than 300 memories through questionnaires, community research and interviews.

"This project is about much more than looking backwards," Daurat said.

"It is about understanding where our music city came from, celebrating the people who made it what it is today, and inspiring the musicians and communities who will shape its future."

Sunderland became the second UK city to join the Music Cities Network in 2025. The global organisation helps cities grow their music sector and supports cultural, social and economic development through education, rehearsal and recording spaces, and fostering a live music scene.

Since joining the network, live music venues in Sunderland reported an increase in footfall and the city hosted Radio 1's Big Weekend in May 2026.

The memories will be displayed in an exhibition at the newly-opened Culture House Sunderland in summer 2027, alongside a programme of community activity, live events, digital archiving and musical heritage trails.

Music City says that Mackem Music Memories will also reflect the city as it is today, and will work with South Asian, Filipino, Nigerian and Eastern European communities, as well as the city's international student population.

After its close in December 2027, the exhibition and research will be digitised and incorporated into the Sunderland Local Studies Collection.

Daurat continued: "Sunderland's musical heritage is written in its people. We are delighted that The National Lottery Heritage Fund is supporting us to capture those stories before they disappear and to make sure they become part of Sunderland's permanent heritage."

Anyone wishing to contribute their musical memories can do so via an online questionnaire.

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