Cultural Affairs Office
Press and Communications
Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs Co-Hosts the 5th Annual Texas Sounds & Cities Music Conference in Houston
October 26, 2023 -- Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) announce today that the City of Houston is co-hosting the 5th Annual Texas Sounds & Cities Conference on November 8-9, 2023. Co-hosted along with the Governor’s Texas Music Office, the City of Houston, Houston First and the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, the music conference includes panel discussions on Texas music industry development and conversations about potential statewide collaboration between certified Music Friendly Communities, as well as best practices that lead to increased music tourism and local job creation.
"The two-day event aims to create a more dynamic music environment across our Texas Music Friendly communities that can strengthen not only Houston’s local music industry but also strengthen the State’s growing economy,” says Mayor Sylvester Turner. “With Houston’s global music impact, we are excited to partner with TMO to welcome a delegation of music representatives from across the State to our great City to learn from one another and take this opportunity to showcase Houston’s rich musical assets.”
The conference brings together Texas cities, music educators, musicians, and music fans who aspire to keep the Texas music scene moving forward. Conversations will be led by music industry representatives from organizations including National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), the City of Austin (Land Use Code), the Texas Music Office, the Houston Music Advisory Board, and many more.
"I am proud of the work that our Music Friendly Texas Certified Communities do on behalf of their local music industries," said Brendon Anthony, Director, Texas Music Office. "We are excited to host our annual Texas Sounds & Cities Conference in the City of Houston for the first time and to work with our Houston Liaison to bring together all of our Music Friendly Texas Certified Community Liaisons from across the state. The Texas Sounds and Cities Conference will offer these community leaders opportunities to learn from experts in the music industry and to collaborate with their colleagues to develop best practices and beneficial programs for their local industry stakeholders."
The Texas Music Office’s Music Friendly Communities program launched in 2017, with Forth Worth being the first Music Friendly Community in the state. The program now includes over 48 certified Music Friendly Communities that are serious about attracting and developing the local music industry to spur job creation and economic growth, including Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, El Paso, Austin, and more.
“Hosting cities that are committed to the growth of the music industry in Texas is an exciting opportunity,” stated MOCA Director Necole S. Irvin. “Several Houston musicians will perform during the welcome and closing receptions providing exciting networking opportunities that we’d like to invite the local industry to join.”
Houston Welcome & Closing Receptions
The City of Houston, MOCA, Houston Music Advisory Board and Houston First will also host Welcome and Closing receptions for exciting networking opportunities for our Houston music industry and the visiting music representatives from all over Texas.
If you’re a musician or music professional, sign up for the Houston Music Directory to get a special invite to each reception.
WED November 8th – Welcome Reception at Saint Arnold Brewing Company
2000 Lyons, 77020 | 6-10pm
Performing: Ruben Moreno, DJ Candlestick (Chopstars)
THU November 9th – Closing Reception at Continental Club Houston
3714 Main Street, 77002 | 7-11pm
Performing: Shame on Me, Blossom Aloe, Flash Gordon Parks + DJ Friends
5th Annual Texas Sounds & Cities Conference
November 8–9, 2023 | Houston, TX
For a detailed agenda and to register for the event, visit: www.texassoundsandcities.com
Visit the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs Contact: Gracie Chavez, Music + Cultural Tourism Officer, 832.394.0627, gracie.chavez@houstontx.gov
About the Texas Music Friendly Community program:
In 2016, the Texas Music Office (TMO) created the Music Friendly Community Program, now known as Music Friendly Texas. Since then, the TMO’s music program has grown into a fully operational network of over 48 Certified Communities across the state. As the only standalone State Music Office in the US, the TMO is proud to be the gold standard for all states and cities across the US who wish to emulate our unique office and programming. Texas is leading the way in working to support the commercial music ecosystem, and we welcome all new partners who are interested in following the TMO’s example.
Learn more at Music Friendly Texas Program and follow on Facebook and Instagram @texasmusicoffice.
About the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs
The City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs guides the City’s cultural investments with policies and initiatives that expand access to arts and cultural programs in the community, attract visitors and leverage private investment.
Learn more at www.houstontx.gov/culturalaffairs. And follow us on Facebook and Instagram @HoustonMOCA.