Music Industry as a Key Player in Urban Development

To attract newcomers, cities need jobs, daycare, affordable housing, and culture. The Hamburg music industry aims to position itself as essential for urban growth, particularly ahead of the March 2025 state elections.  

Alexander Schulz, chairman of the Hamburg Music Association, highlights the industry's economic significance, providing over 16,000 jobs and generating more than £836 million in gross value. He envisions a tripling of sales in two decades, solidifying music as a core industry in Hamburg.  

Live music attracts skilled workers, benefiting other industries. However, the sector also faces a shortage of talent in online marketing, distribution, and infrastructure. The Hamburg Music Association is urging politicians to invest in affordable housing, creative spaces, and reestablishing Hamburg as a hotspot for music and artists.  

The association, representing 140 companies, is advocating for a creative hub, the “Hamburg House of Music,” on the Reeperbahn. A vacant lot in the Palomaviertel is being considered as a site.  

The Hamburg Music Association celebrates its 20th anniversary at the Georg-Elser-Halle in the Green Bunker.