UK Music CEO Michael Dugher held a series of meetings in Liverpool as he unveiled new figures that reveal almost one million people attended live music events in the Liverpool City region in 2016, with music tourism contributing almost £100 million to the local economy.

Michael met with the City Region’s Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram, and discussed plans to grow the music industry. Models such as the successful London Music Development Board and the creation of new music rehearsal spaces outside central Liverpool were discussed.

Michael also visited the world leading performing arts university the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), meeting Founding Principal and Chief Executive Mark Featherstone-Witty and Head of Music Martin Isherwood. LIPA is a member of UK Music’s Music Academic Partnership.

While in Liverpool, a further meeting was held at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic with Chief Executive Michael Eakin and Executive Director for Performance and Learning Peter Garden.

Michael also visited legendary music producer Steve Levine’s studio and met with St Helens North MP and APPG on Music Secretary Conor McGinn following his debate in the House of Commons on the music industry on Friday.

Michael was interviewed on Radio City – which boasts almost 400,000 listeners a week –  as part of  his visit to highlight UK Music’s research and wider work in support of the music industry.