The people, places and performances that have shaped Sunderland’s musical identity are to be celebrated in a major heritage project backed by more than £156,000 of National Lottery funding.
Sunderland Music City has been awarded £156,166 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund for Mackem Music Memories, which will gather the city’s musical stories and preserve them for future generations.
The project will explore everything from Sunderland’s earliest recorded choral traditions to the grassroots venues, musicians and audiences that have contributed to its musical life over the decades.
And organisers are appealing to people across Wearside to share their memories, whether they involve an unforgettable concert, a favourite venue or the music that played an important part in their lives.
More than 300 memories will be collected through questionnaires and community research, alongside 20 in-depth oral history interviews.
The material will form the basis of a major exhibition at Culture House Sunderland in summer 2027, combining archive material with creative responses from local communities.
Michelle Daurat, CEO of Sunderland Music City, said: “Sunderland’s musical heritage is written in its people. We are delighted that The National Lottery Heritage Fund is supporting us to capture those stories before they disappear and to make sure they become part of Sunderland’s permanent heritage.
“This project is about much more than looking backwards. It is about understanding where our Music City came from, celebrating the people who made it what it is today, and inspiring the musicians and communities who will shape its future.”
The project will reach beyond traditional music venues, with research sessions planned in working men’s clubs, allotments, record shops, knitting and embroidery groups and community organisations.
It will also explore the musical traditions brought to Sunderland by its South Asian, Filipino, Nigerian and Eastern European communities, as well as international students.
Young and older residents will be encouraged to work together, sharing memories and developing heritage skills.
Running until December 2027, Mackem Music Memories will also include live events, community activities, digital archiving and musical heritage trails.
The collected material will ultimately become part of the Sunderland Local Studies Collection, ensuring that the stories remain accessible long after the exhibition closes.
Anyone with memories, photographs, memorabilia or stories to contribute can get involved at musiccity.uk/mackem.