The NTIA are proud to welcome Rt.Hon Angela Rayner and Mayors of the North Andy Burnham, Steve Rotheram and Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the DCMS Select Committee, as headline speakers at their annual Night Time Economy Summit, with Spotlight interviews from Todd Terry & Peter Hook, Keynotes from Philip Kolvin KC & Joaquim Boadas de Quintana President of the International Nightlife Association and global city leaders shaping the future of nightlife.
Liverpool has become the epicentre of global debate on culture, sustainability, cities and the night-time economy as senior political leaders, international city representatives, cultural pioneers, legal experts and technology innovators converge for a landmark summit of unprecedented scale.
The summit is headlined by a keynote address and live Q&A with the Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State. Her appearance anchors the programme, placing nightlife, culture and the creative industries firmly within the national political and economic conversation.
Angela Rayner’s keynote will address the current political and economic landscape, the pressures facing communities and local government, and the vital role culture, nightlife and the night-time economy play in jobs, growth, identity and regional renewal. In a wide-ranging Q&A, she explores devolution, transport, public safety, workforce challenges and how governments can better support cities and regions after dark.
She is joined by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, alongside Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the DCMS Select Committee, and parliamentarians Dr Rupa Huq MP, Chris Webb MP, Clive Lewis MP and Paul Kohler MP, forming one of the most politically influential gatherings the sector has seen.
A further keynote is delivered by Philip Kolvin KC, one of the UK’s leading licensing barristers and the author of Darkest Before the Dawn: A Manifesto for the Night Time Economy, written for the Night Time Industries Association. Drawing on this landmark work, Kolvin sets out a bold and strategic vision for the future of the UK’s night-time economy, highlighting the key opportunities and drivers for positive change across policy, planning and practice. His address emphasises the urgent need for an unprecedented partnership between government, local authorities, industry and communities, rooted in a shared commitment to protecting and growing one of the UK’s greatest and most valuable assets, nightlife.
Culture, Music and Global Club Voices at the Forefront
At the heart of the cultural programme is a spotlight keynote interview with Todd Terry, the pioneering DJ and producer whose influence helped shape modern house music and global club culture. In a rare in-depth conversation, Terry reflects on the rise of underground scenes, the cultural power of nightlife and how club culture has driven social connection, creativity and economic impact across cities from New York to the UK and beyond.
He is joined by leading voices from electronic music and nightlife culture, including Peter Hook of Joy Division, New Order and Peter Hook & The Light, offering rare insights into the Haçienda era and the role nightlife played in transforming Manchester into a global cultural force.
Also speaking are Sam Divine, DJ & Producer 555/Defected, and Yousef, DJ, producer and founder of Circus Recordings, bringing first-hand insight into the evolution of club culture, grassroots venues, artist livelihoods and the realities facing the electronic music ecosystem today.
Additional cultural contributions come from Lisa Maffia, Jumpin Jack Frost and Liverpool favourites Red Rum Club discussing the importance of grass roots live music, underlining the breadth and influence of the creative programme.
Global Leadership, Data and the Future of Nightlife
International leadership is led by Joaquim Boadas de Quintana, President of the International Nightlife Association, with senior representatives from Mexico, Vienna, Singapore, Australia, France, Greece, Italy, Germany, Sweden, the United States, Colombia, Argentina, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates, among many others. In total, the summit welcomes over 250 speakers from more than 40 countries and 2,000+ delegates, positioning Liverpool as a global capital for nightlife and cultural policy.
As the sector reflects on the year, the summit also launches two major publications:
- The latest Annual Report on the UK Electronic Music Scene, mapping economic contribution, employment, exports, venue sustainability and artist livelihoods
- The Annual Night Time Economy (NTE) Report, benchmarking opportunities and challenges facing nightlife as the UK rounds up 2025
Together, the reports underline both the resilience and fragility of the sector, strengthening calls for coordinated action between government, cities and industry.
Innovation, Comedy and UNESCO-Supported Culture
Technology and innovation are spotlighted through an AlphaTheta showcase, unveiling the new RMX-IGNITE, highlighting the evolving relationship between music technology, creativity and live performance.
The summit also features UNESCO-debate session on the global impact of Grime and UK Hip Hop, featuring the originator and Godfather of Grime Wiley who will debate alongside Dr Charisse Beaumont, CEO Black Lives in Music, and celebrations of 30 years of Hospital Records, marking three decades of independent British music innovation.
A further milestone is the launch of Live Comedy Day, delivered in partnership with the Live Comedy Association, hosted at the home of Hot Water Comedy Club in Liverpool, spotlighting comedy’s cultural and economic importance.
Members of the London Night Time Economy Taskforce share recommendations and lessons learned on safety, licensing, inclusion and partnership working, offering transferable insights for cities nationwide.
Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram both emphasise the importance of devolved leadership, culture-led regeneration and protecting grassroots venues, highlighting how cities and regions are increasingly shaping national growth and global reputation.
“This summit shows the full power of the night-time economy, politically, culturally, legally and economically,” said Michael Kill CEO NTIA. “With Angela Rayner headlining and voices from global cities, UNESCO, culture, law and technology all at the table, this is a defining moment for nightlife as we look beyond 2025.”
As discussions continue across Liverpool, one message is unmistakable: the future of the UK , and its cities, will be shaped not only in Parliament, but through culture, creativity and life after dark.
Contact:
For more info contact Nikki McNeill at Global Publicity
nikki@globalpublicity.co.uk