MCN Summit 2026: Thank you, Sunderland
This June, MCN members gathered in Sunderland for two days of open discussions, practical workshops and peer learning, exploring one shared question:
How do we build stronger music ecosystems that create lasting impact for our cities?
Hosted by our wonderful Sunderland team, the Summit brought together cities from across Europe and beyond to exchange experiences, challenge assumptions and develop practical solutions to some of the biggest questions facing music cities today.
Rather than searching for one-size-fits-all answers, members shared approaches that can be adapted to different local contexts - from ecosystem mapping and venue policy to sustainable funding, political advocacy and knowledge sharing.
Across the two days, several themes kept resurfacing:
Music ecosystems need to be understood before they can be strengthened. Cities explored how mapping relationships, organisations and creative pathways can reveal hidden gaps, support better policymaking and help direct investment where it has the greatest impact.
Long-term investment depends on more than funding. Through inspiring case studies from Aarhus and Hamburg, members discussed how strong evidence, political relationships and cross-sector partnerships are just as important as financial resources in creating lasting change.
Knowledge becomes more valuable when it’s shared. One of the Summit’s strongest outcomes was the collective ambition to build an MCN Knowledge Hub - making practical experience, policy approaches and city case studies easier for every member to access and build upon.
Perhaps the most important reminder came from our hosts in Sunderland.
Being a Music City isn’t defined by size. Smaller cities often move faster, build stronger local relationships and demonstrate that commitment, collaboration and civic pride can drive meaningful change.
Above all, the Summit reinforced what makes MCN unique: a community built on trust, openness and the willingness to share both successes and challenges. Those conversations continue to shape not only individual cities, but the future direction of the network itself.
Welcome to Our New Board Member
During this year’s General Assembly, members elected Michelle Daurat to join the MCN Board.
It is our great pleasure to welcome Michelle to this new role.
Over the past year, Michelle has been an active and valued member of the network, consistently sharing her knowledge, experiences and generous approach to collaboration. This year’s Summit in Sunderland was a perfect reflection of that spirit. Through inspiring local examples, open discussions and outstanding hospitality, Michelle and her team demonstrated what can be achieved when music is embedded into the wider vision for a city.
Her passion for strengthening music ecosystems, connecting people and turning ideas into action has inspired many across the network, and we are excited to have her help shape MCN’s next chapter as a Board Member.
Congratulations, Michelle - we’re looking forward to everything we’ll build together.
"It is a tremendous honour to join the Board of the Music Cities Network at such an exciting time for both the organisation and Sunderland. Music has the power to transform places, create opportunity and bring communities together. This appointment is recognition of the incredible work taking place across Sunderland's music ecosystem by artists, venues and promoters to educators, businesses and community organisations."
- Michelle Daurat, CEO of Sunderland Music City
"It is a genuine pleasure to welcome Michelle Daurat to the Music Cities Network board. Sunderland has become one of our most compelling case studies of music-led regeneration, and Michelle's vision in building Sunderland Music City, backed by more than two decades of outstanding cultural leadership across the Northeast, brings exactly the kind of practical, place-based knowledge our network thrives on. I'm confident her voice will help us build stronger connections between mid-sized cities and push our shared thinking on music-driven urban transformation forward. We are thrilled to have her on board!"
- Paula Simó, Vice Chair, Music Cities Network Board
“Michelle's election is a wonderful example of how leadership within MCN grows organically from active contribution. Following Sunderland's remarkable commitment to the network, I'm delighted to welcome her to the Board. As MCN continues to grow, we're strengthening the Board to reflect the diversity, experience and perspectives of our members as we shape the network's next chapter together. ”
- Lena Ingwersen, Managing Director of the Music Cities Network