Musicians Head Stateside To Fly The Flag For The Tees Valley And The North

A solo artist and an up-and-coming indie group from the Tees Valley are heading to America to put our region firmly on the international music map.

Hartlepool five-piece Marketplace and Middlesbrough solo pop artist Loren Heat will join musicians from across the North to showcase our talent at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, next week (12-18 March).

They will join “Northern Sound” – a showcase at UK House during the prestigious music, arts and film festival attended by more than 300,000 people.

Loren Heat had a busy 2025 with sets at The Great Escape, Kendal Calling and BBC Introducing from the Glasshouse, and a deal signed with Interval Records.

Meanwhile, Marketplace have released two EPs, earned support from BBC Radio 1, Radio X and RTE 2 Ireland, featured in a wide range of music press, and performed at The Great Escape, Supersonic in Paris, Kendal Calling and Y Not Festival in 2025.

The band also received a four-figure grant boost through support from the PPL Momentum Music Fund Accelerator – backed by the Combined Authority.

Loren is playing the British Music Embassy at Palm Door on Sixth Patio from 3.40pm to 4.10pm on Sunday, March 15.

While Marketplace are playing the Low Down Lounge at 11am on Saturday, 14 March, and the British Music Embassy at Palm Door on Sixth Patio from 5pm to 5.30pm on Sunday, March 15.

The Northern Music Export Office is supporting their attendance.

Mayors from the Tees Valley, Liverpool City Region, the North East, and West Yorkshire have committed to a shared export framework – working together through the Northern Music Export Office to support artists across the whole of the North of England.

It aims to ensure artists and music businesses can access international opportunities without having to relocate, or operate in isolation, with the Export Office providing a shared platform for global engagement.

This supports talent from across the North to build networks, form international partnerships and develop sustainable careers from where they’re based.

Generator North East, regional music development agency, is already working closely with agencies and international industry partners to forge opportunities for our artists and businesses.

Mick Ross, CEO at Generator, said: “The music industry is constantly looking for the next wave of talent – new voices, new scenes and artists who reflect the world as it really is.

“That talent exists in abundance across the North of England, but for too long the pathways into international opportunity have been fragmented or out of reach. This initiative is about changing that.

“Generator has spent more than 35 years advocating for Northern artists and building the conditions they need to thrive. The Northern Music Export Office is the result of years of work behind the scenes – bringing regions together, aligning ambition and creating the infrastructure the industry needs to connect with talent emerging from outside traditional centres.

“For artists, this means access to global networks, international audiences and sustainable career opportunities without having to uproot or go it alone. For the wider industry, it means a stronger, more diverse talent pipeline and a clearer route to discovering and working with artists who are already developing world-class careers from where they’re based.

“SXSW is the first time we’re showing up internationally under this shared banner – and it’s just the beginning.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: “Our region is home to an incredible depth of musical talent, and it’s vital we back our local artists with the opportunities, networks and support they need to grow their careers on a global scale.

“Through our support of the Northern Music Export Office, performing at SXSW gives our musicians a powerful platform to reach new audiences, build international connections and prove that world-class music is being created right here in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.”

Cllr Pamela Hargreaves, TVCA Cabinet Member for Creative Place and Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “It’s particularly wonderful to see Hartlepool represented at SXSW by Marketplace. They are a fantastic example of the emerging talent coming out of our town, and we couldn’t ask for better ambassadors on the international stage.

“Our creative sector is a vital part of our identity. By backing the Northern Music Export Office and supporting artists such as Marketplace, we’re making sure our talent has the platform, the confidence and the connections to succeed globally while staying rooted in the place which shaped their sound.”

To hear more of Loren Heat, go to: LOREN HEAT | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree

For more on Marketplace, go to: Marketplace | Instagram | Linktree