Liverpool's own Rebecca Ferguson is being honoured with a prestigious award at this year's Sound City+ Conference.
Rebecca, 35, shot to fame in 2010 after finishing in second place on the seventh series of hit talent show, The X Factor. The Liverpool native quickly impressed the judges and viewers alike with her soulful vocals which saw her go on to release hit albums and tour the globe.
Now, the Anfield singer has been announced as the recipient of the Keychange Inspiration Award at this year's Sound City+ Conference. Taking place between Friday, April 29 until Sunday, May 1, the Sound City+ Conference forms part of the wider Sound City festival weekend.
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Marking its 15th anniversary across Liverpool city centre, festivities will include with an impressive variety of talks, panels, insights and more from some of the most influential figures and names in modern music. Pioneering international initiative Keychange, which focuses on greater representation for women and underrepresented genres across the music industry, has teamed up with Sound City once again as the lead UK festival partner.
Singer, songwriter, campaigner and Ivors Academy director Rebecca Ferguson has scooped this year's Keychange Inspiration Award thanks to her relentless determination to highlight the bullying and exploitation that's followed throughout her career. Such experiences have led Rebecca to become a vital voice and key driver for change in the music industry.
Actively campaigning for a safer environment for artists and songwriters, Rebecca's work has led to her collaborating with Creative UK and the DCMS on visible codes of conduct to help eradicate toxic workplaces for those in music and beyond - with independent support and help being made available in ways never seen before. The singer and activist will deliver a special keynote Q&A at the event.
Speaking about her work, Rebecca said: "The new role I have taken on was not something I ever imagined for myself, it is something that has been born through my pain and the pain of other creatives who have been in contact with their intolerable stories. I have learnt over the past 18 months that our voices matter and that we should use them whenever we see injustice, even when we are scared, as that is what makes us human – to be able to love and care for others, and to be able to leave a lasting, positive impact on ones community.
"I am honoured to be receiving this award and thank Creative UK, DCMS, Nadine Dorries, Caroline Dinage and Oliver Dowden for organising change to take place. I dedicate to all the women whose voices have been silenced by NDAs."
Speaking about Sound City+ and Sound City’s continued partnership with Keychange, Sound City managing director Becky Ayres said: "Over the past few years, we have been delighted to work closely with Keychange as UK lead festival on not only ensuring Sound City remains a balanced and equal opportunity festival for all - but also tackling those wider music industry barriers that have prevented meaningful change for so long. To have them return to Sound City in 2022 with a diverse and vast programme of panels, discussions and workshops is a true honour - and we hope this sits as but a continuation of our incredible journey together.
"In addition, honouring one of our own in Rebecca Ferguson is sure to be an unmissable moment. Rebecca’s tireless campaigning for change across the music industry is inspirational to everything we do and we look forward to celebrating her work at Sound City+ this year."
Sound City 2022 kicks off on April 30 until May 1, 2022. You can book tickets here.
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