The third edition of the Leicester Music Conference will see it expanding across two major city venues and the introduction of a bold new Creative Industry Expo. Booking is now open for Friday 27 February with panels, practical workshops, demonstrations and networking opportunities designed to supercharge the region’s talent pipeline.
The live music showcase will bring together standout talent from across the city’s vibrant music scene and nationally recognised artists for a mix of performances, new voices, genre-spanning sets and collaborations.
Already confirmed is London based producer ZDOT, who has been an integral part of the UK grime and rap scenes for more than 10 years, and has worked with Stormzy, Cardi B, Bugzy Malone, Charli XCX, Young T & Bugsey and Rita Ora. When he's not in the studio, he's performing lively sets at some of the biggest festivals including Boomtown, Bestival, Lovebox, All Points East and Boardmasters.
Also on the showcase line up is Gemma Fox, a UK artist, DJ, topline songwriter, and label owner who has played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of UK grime and bassline, along with a MOBO award nomination and an Urban Music Award win.
HQ Familia Live will bring together a powerful collective of Leicester based producers, singer songwriters, rappers, musicians and a DJ for the live showcase, to deliver a multi genre journey showcasing the depth and diversity of talent emerging from the region.
Building on the success of previous years, the Leicester Music Board - which organises the annual conference - is aiming to create more opportunities for young people and the local music sector with the addition of the high quality industry expo.
Dr Yasin El Ashrafi BEM, Leicester Music Board, said: “Hosting an expo of this scale highlights Leicester’s growing profile in the music and creative industries. Bringing cutting-edge music technology and leading organisations together in one place demonstrates the ambition we have as a city and the collaborations to drive things forward.”
Exhibitors include Sontronics, ROLI, Digit Music, Voyager, Meesha Graphics, Leicester Fashion District, TiME: Table of Music Tech, Tonic Music, Soundstrokes and the Independent Society of Musicians.
In addition to exhibiting, Sontronics will be attending the conference and actively participating in panel discussions, sharing insight into microphone design, recording practice and supporting emerging talent within the music industry.
Alene, the current winner of the Sontronics Scholarship to Abbey Road Institute London, will also be taking part in a panel talk, offering a first-hand perspective on education, creative development and progression into the professional music industry.
There will be workshops on mic usage and studio practice to get the best from equipment; advice on looking after mental wellbeing in the industry and a ‘Meet the Funders’ drop-in with Arts Council England, Help Musicians, and the Step Up Fund. The Music Managers Forum will be offering advice, professional development and industry insight for emerging and established managers.
There will also be a look at Leicester’s growing creative fashion ecosystem and opportunities for collaboration between music and design.
The main conference on Friday 27 February opens with a keynote address from Myn Jazeel, Co-Chair - MOBO Trust, Chair - Music Against Racism, Artist Manager, ex-SVP Warner Music. Myn is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in music and the creative industries and will be sharing experiences on how to shift the balance in the music industry.
Keynote speaker Myn Jazeel said: “Leicester is at an exciting moment in its creative journey. The Leicester Music Conference shows what can happen when a thriving city puts people, culture, and ambition at the centre of its growth strategy. I’m passionate about creating fairer and more inclusive pathways in music, so I’m proud to join an event that brings incredible young talent, educators, and industry leaders together in the same space, to connect, share ideas and listen."
“My career has taught me many things, including the importance of representation, access and bias for action. When we invest in diverse voices and support people from all backgrounds regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, disability, socio-economic status and neurodiversity, to develop and progress, the whole industry becomes stronger. What’s critical is ensuring fair access, opportunities, and outcomes - recognising that different people may need different support to succeed. We also need to create environments where everyone feels valued, able to contribute and belongs - not just being present, but being heard and progressed."
“Leicester has everything it needs to lead that change and I’m looking forward to being part of the conversation and hopefully helping to inspire but also learn from the next generation.”
The conference programme explores industry careers, artist development, music technology, wellbeing, creativity and culture, South Asian music career pathways and industry change with sessions hosted by UK Music, Music Minds Matter, Tik Tok, BBC Introducing and many more.
New sessions for 2026 are In the Mix: The Craft of Music Production, a deep dive into studio practice and Indie Labels in the Modern Age, curated by The Association of Independent Music (AIM).
Founded three years ago, the Leicester Music Conference continues to grow in ambition, scale and impact. This year’s expansion builds on the success in bringing national organisations to the city to level the playing field, showcasing the strength of the region’s talent and encouraging creative businesses to relocate to the city.
The dedicated event on 26 February for 14–18-year-olds attending from schools across the county will feature career and education panels, performances, and interactive sessions led by artists and industry professionals.
A collaborative performance featuring Leicester’s first Poet Laureate, Shay Sharma, along with local artists has been specially commissioned to deliver a set that blends beatboxing, spoken word and live music.
The day ends with a roundtable for music industry and music education leaders led by Phil Nelson, an experienced artist manager whose career spans major award-winning acts, including gold and platinum-selling artists and nominees for the Mercury Prize and BRIT Awards, and co-founding The Great Escape Festival.
Through workshops, performances and collaborative projects, the young person’s day supports the Leicester Music Board’s long-term mission to create a lifelong strategy for music, ensuring young people can discover, develop and progress through accessible creative routes from school age into professional life.
Delegate places for the Conference & Expo at 2Funky Music Complex and The Venue at DMU are £10, or £15 with the Evening Showcase. Access to the Expo only is free and also bookable via Eventbrite
For more information and to view the full programme, go to www.leicestermusicconference.co.uk