23.01.2020: Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis writes about the importance of music and why he is determined to make the Sheffield City Region Music Board a success.

Many of us will remember the first album we bought. That excitement of rushing home and listening to it time and time again.

Though my musical tastes may have changed a bit over the years, that passion that first inspired me as a young boy has remained throughout my life.

Whatever genres you choose to listen to, music has the power to evoke great emotions. Hearing a favourite song on the radio can be like welcoming home an old friend and can instantly transport you back to the first time you heard it.

There’s also few things as exciting as seeing your favourite musician play live, performing the songs you love and inspiring joy and excitement in a crowd of people who may otherwise have little in common.

It’s that passion for music that I want to foster in everyone in the Sheffield City Region (SCR)– from primary school-aged children to established musicians.

We’ve already made a great start. For decades we’ve been home to fantastic, often world-famous bands and artists including Pulp, Human League, Arctic Monkeys, Richard Hawley, Kate Rusby, Bang Bang Romeo, Reverend and the Makers, one fifth of One Direction, Thompson Twins, Lesley Garrett, Heaven 17 – the list is endless.

We have iconic venues both large and small and we are leading the way with production and technology-based businesses. I want to nurture this success and use it to inspire the next generation of musicians, producers, agents, managers and promoters.

As Shadow Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, I saw for myself the transformational impact that music can bring to individuals, to places and whole communities. I was therefore determined to realise those benefits for the SCR– where I serve as Mayor, and where I call home.

That’s why, working with UK Music, in 2018 I launched the SCR Music Board – the first one outside of London. Made up of representatives from venues, festival organisers, artists, music educational hubs, our local authorities and music businesses, we’re working together to help shape and grow the region’s music industry.

Read more on Record of The Day. 

Read UK Music's Sheffield City Region Report here.