Made in the North: Music in Conversation

Made in the North: Music in Conversation takes place at Zerox Vinyl Lounge on Tuesday 20 October, from 6pm to 9:30pm. It's an evening of music and conversation hosted by Generator's Young Ambassadors, and it's part of the Mercury Prize Fringe, a week-long celebration of music, creativity and community that runs alongside the Mercury Prize with showcases, workshops and listening parties highlighting the region's talent.

The session brings together music professionals and artists for an open conversation about breaking into the industry and building a career from the North East. On the panel are Thom Lewis (who you might know as Bramwell Bronte), Shakk Hashemi, Meg Savage and Charlie Floyd. It's the kind of night where you can hear people who've actually done it talk through how they got there, rather than just hearing the polished version of the story. If you're working in music here or just starting out, it's a good place to get a proper look at how the industry works from this end of the country.

The Fringe itself is powered by Generator, the North's leading music development organisation, and it's a full week of events leading up to the main event: the Mercury Prize returns to Newcastle for a second year, with the Awards Night on Thursday 22 October at Utilita Arena Newcastle. Every Fringe gig is Pay As You Feel, and every penny contributed goes back to the local venues, so it's as much about supporting the city's spaces as it is about the music. You're also invited to meet new collaborators or just have a drink in the Vinyl Lounge.

That brings us back to the practicals: Made in the North is at The Lobby Vinyl Lounge (Zerox), 48-52 Sandhill, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3JF, on Tuesday 20 October, 6pm to 9:30pm. It's Pay As You Feel, so you give what you can on the night.