
SF Music Week to boost industry will debut in February
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San Francisco is launching its first SF Music Week in an effort to boost the economy and help grow the local music and arts scene.
Why it matters: Mayor Daniel Lurie announced the newest initiative to support the local music industry Wednesday as another economic driver to spur the city's comeback following a slow post-pandemic recovery that has led to reduced foot traffic and big retailer closures in downtown.
Between the lines: The initiative builds on former Mayor London Breed's creation of entertainment zones — an effort to revitalize struggling areas — which allow businesses to sell alcoholic drinks outdoors during special events.
The latest: The city has partnered with SF Live and indie promoter Noise Pop to host SF Music Week, running Feb. 24 to March 2.
- The programming includes studio and venue tours, film screenings, musician master classes, panels, workshops and live performances that will run concurrently with the 2025 Noise Pop Festival.
- It's also providing a platform to connect musicians, artists and other industry leaders with resources to advance their careers.
What they're saying: The goal is to reinforce San Francisco's reputation as a city that "champions the arts" and strengthen its "position as a global hub of arts and culture, allowing us to foster innovation, attract talent, and support local businesses," Lurie said in a statement.
- "We're not just celebrating our vibrant music scene, but also actively shaping a more sustainable ecosystem for artists, venues and music lovers alike," added Stacy Horne, an event producer at Noise Pop.
Catch up quick: SF Music Week was inspired by the success of 2024's SF Live, a six-month free concert series funded with $2.5 million in state dollars to aid the local nightlife and entertainment sector.
What's next: This year's event will kick off with an industry summit on Feb. 28 featuring a conversation with keynote speaker Ghazi Shami, CEO and founder of independent record label Empire.
- Other panel discussions will focus on the intersection of music and technology and will detail the history behind the city's music scene.
- The free summit runs from 9am-6pm at the Swedish American Hall. Register here.
