Grammy-winning UK producer Mura Masa and Relentless Energy are launching ‘Local’ — a new initiative and three-stop UK tour focused on platforming emerging UK artists and creative talent from outside the major cities. The project is a celebration of the places that keep music culture alive and a reminder that real scenes happen in community centres, pubs, youth clubs, converted backrooms - wherever people are building something without waiting for permission.

‘Local’ includes a series of live shows, a zine and original content - kicking off with the first party on June 13th in Stockton-on-Tees, before heading to Blackpool (19th June) and finishing in Bradford (20th June). Three towns with rich local music scenes and little national attention. 

In each location, Mura Masa will collaborate with a local tastemaker, showcasing homegrown line-ups and ending with a rare, small-room DJ set from the Guernsey-born artist himself - known for his genre-pushing collaborations with the likes of Charli XCX, A$AP Rocky, Pink Pantheress, Shy Girl and Damon Albarn. Tour curators include Blackpool born DJ Mia Lily,  Boo for Stockton-on-Tees - a producer, DJ, vocalist, and founder of the Ghetec party series in Newcastle, and Bradford artist and filmmaker ZMARAKS. 

The grassroots tour will feature a hand-picked line up of local acts. Stockton-on-Tees brings together Middlesbrough DJ, producer & label head REES, DJ & producer Alousea and Cousin Dan. From there, the party moves to Blackpool - with sets from North West selector D-Foc, Hometones and Pacemaker, who blends old and new-school hardcore with classic northern rave sounds. The final stop in Bradford signs off with a packed line-up including RUFUS!, Glor1a, Stave, Yin Yang boys + friends and Lloydfears to close the tour.

‘Local’ isn’t necessarily about 'spotlighting the next big thing'. It’s about the ecosystems that fuel music from the ground up and exists against a backdrop of cuts to UK arts funding, the closure of independent venues, and a music industry landscape where algorithms often overlook what’s happening beyond the mainstream. For artists outside the major cities, the barriers are steeper, the networks smaller, and the support thinner.

“I love London, Manchester, Glasgow – but you shouldn’t have to be in a big city to make something happen or get the same kind of access,” says Mura Masa. “There’s actually so much going on in smaller towns — you just have to look properly. I’m looking forward to showing what’s already out there with Relentless and seeing how many different scenes are thriving. There’s nothing like the buzz of discovering an amazing new act in your local town.”