Generator and Warner Music to open major studio facility in Newcastle

Warner Music UK has announced plans to open a major new studio facility in Newcastle.

Dubbed ‘Warner Music Newcastle’, the project has been the product of months of strategic planning between Warner Music UK and Generator, a North East creative and cultural talent development agency.

Both parties have confirmed the initial investment would be ‘substantial’ and give the region world-leading recording and production facilities like recording studios, editing suites, podcasting studios and other collaborative spaces for the development of creative content.

Mick Ross, Generator chief executive, said: “We’re beyond excited to be in position to announce this partnership.

“It’s the result of months and months of planning, a number of visits to the region from Warner Music’s top executives and the support of a host of partners to get us to the stage where we can proudly say we’re bringing a standard of music production to the North East that won’t just be the envy of the region, the north, or indeed the UK.

“We have a thriving North East recording scene, and the many independent studios creating that landscape will benefit from having Warner Music’s input.

“Our ambition has been to deliver something that is world-leading and we’re so thrilled our ambitions have been matched by Warner Music’s own with their commitment to this project.”

Tony Harlow, Warner Music UK chief executive, said: “Our vision at Warner Music is not only to represent the world’s greatest musical talent, but to provide facilities, opportunities and pathways into the music industry for tomorrow’s generations of talented musicians and producers.

“This will be a true, accessible focal point for the North East’s musical and creative communities that we know already exist in abundance.”

Both Newcastle City Council and the North East Combined Authority have shown support for the plans.

North East mayor, Kim McGuinness said: “A major new recording studio forms part of my vision to give the North East the place it deserves on the global music map.

“Alongside plans for a major new film studio in Sunderland and the MOBO awards coming to the region in February, this shows how we are investing to create real opportunity for new generations of creative talent.”

Pictured: Warner Music UK chief executive Tony Harlow, Lucy Bridge and Generator chief executive, Mick Ross.