Generator and Warner Music reveal ‘world-leading’ studios plan

Plans for a major new creative hub in Newcastle are set to transform the region’s music and entertainment industry.

Warner Music UK and North East music development organisation Generator have announced plans to open a “world-leading” studio facility in Newcastle, featuring recording studios, editing suites, podcast spaces and collaborative areas for content creation, providing “pathways and opportunities” for “new generations of creative talent”.

The project, dubbed ‘Warner Music Newcastle’ as a working title, represents a substantial investment in the city’s music sector, with support from Newcastle City Council and the North East Combined Authority.

Mick Ross, chief executive of Generator, 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.” 

Warner Music UK chief executive Tony Harlow added: “Since discussing the project with the Generator team and its supporters in the region, we knew we had the right delivery partners.

“We can’t wait to start work on site and get the studios into operation as soon as possible.

“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.” 

The studios aim to boost local talent development while attracting global acts and creative professionals to the region. The initiative could generate significant economic benefits, supporting music makers, engineers, photographers, and other creative roles.

Exact locations for the new studios are being kept under wraps at this stage, but both Warner Music UK and Generator say they have a “very exciting shortlist of venues”. 

This announcement follows Generator’s ongoing efforts to establish NewcastleGateshead as a dedicated Music City and its role in delivering fringe events for the upcoming MOBO Awards, positioning the North East as “a national music powerhouse”.

Kim McGuinness, North East mayor, added: “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.

“I am excited to see who will follow in the footsteps of stars like Sting, Sam Fender, Nadine Shah and Jade Thirlwell in going from the North East to a worldwide stage as a result of the decisions we are making today.”

Her thoughts were echoed by councillor Karen Kilgour, leader of Newcastle City Council, who added: “We know there is so much talent in Newcastle and this announcement is huge for the culture sector for the entire city region.

“It provides an accessible route into the industry for budding artists here on Tyneside. The MOBOs is heading to Newcastle in the new year, a bid to make Newcastle Gateshead a Music City has just been launched and now we are set to welcome a major new music studio to the city.

“This will help create new jobs, skills and investment for the whole of the North East and make a lasting impact on Newcastle that will benefit every resident in our city.”

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