Legendary Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook is set to join UCLan academics in an online seminar to discuss the future of live music.

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Musicians Graham Massey, co-founder of electronic music pioneers 808 State, and UCLan graduate Liam Ogburn from fast-rising band Working Men’s Club will join the event.

Also there will be leading venue and festival operator Aaron Mellor, Teresa Moore from a Greener Festival, and UCLan lecturer and music industry consultant, Tony Rigg.

Since 21 March, live music venues in England have had to close their doors, and the prospect of reopening remains uncertain.

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The group will look at the challenges facing the live music industry, particularly in light of the coronavirus crisis, and how musicians and live venues will adjust as they attempt to move forward beyond the pandemic.

They will also look at the importance of digital technologies and the roles they will occupy within live music moving forward.

The seminar will coincide with the official release of a new book called The Future of Live Music, co-edited by Tony Rigg and fellow UCLan academics Professor Ewa Mazierska and Dr Leslie Gillon.

The book explores themes that will help to make sense of the ‘during’ and ‘post-Covid’ live music environments. Published by Bloomsbury Publishing, it also features contributions from prestigious academics from around the world, many of whom will also be discussing the themes live at the seminar.

Tony, who also directs Preston’s Jazz and Improvisation Festival, said: “The challenges being faced by the live music industry are numerous and complicated.

“Bringing these great minds together to discuss the challenges to be overcome and opportunities to innovate can only serve to enhance our knowledge and understanding, helping us to rehabilitate this culturally and economically important industry.”

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The Future of Live Music will take place live on YouTube on Thursday 11 June at 2pm. There will be the opportunity to ask questions of the panel via YouTube comments.

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Will you be joining the live discussion? Let us know in the comments.