A Buxton musician who has made it his mission to perform a gig every day this year was invited to Parliament to discuss the future of music.

Isaac Neilson is a singer, song writer and performer and since January 1 he has performed a gig every single day.

And he was invited to help launch the BBC Our Music Campaign down in London.

Isaac said it blew his mind to be on the guest list.

Buxton musician Isaac Neilson who is doing gig a day for a year to create his own momentum in music industry was invited down to Parliament to talk about making music.

placeholder image — Buxton musician Isaac Neilson who is doing gig a day for a year to create his own momentum in music industry was invited down to Parliament to talk about making music.

He said: “UK music invited me down to Parliament as part of the BBC Our Music Campaign championing just how important BBC introducing is for artists at my level trying to break through to the big leagues.

“The gig a day challenge has been about proving that working class music can still breakthrough in 2026.

“And now rather than reading about the decisions getting made I now get to be in the room and tell the people who matter how much grit and determination it takes for a working class artist to try and breakthrough.”

Isaac’s challenge has seen him perform to a handful of people and to hundreds.

It has taken him all over the UK as he tries to grow his audience and get his big break.

The campaign highlights the essential role the BBC plays across the UK music industry – which generates £8 billion for the economy and supports 220,00 jobs – from uncovering new talent, supporting artists, composers, producers and songwriters, championing orchestras and singers, and bringing live music to communities nationwide.

BBC Director of Music Lorna Clarke said: “BBC Music brings joy to millions across the UK through our dedicated music stations, live events, performances and programmes, championing homegrown and specialist music that audiences won’t find anywhere else.

“Nearly half of the music played across Radio 2 and 6 Music is from UK artists; a quarter are brand new artists; 85 per cent of the artists on 6 Music were signed to indie record labels; and the number of different pieces of music Radio 1 and Radio 2 each typically play in a week is more than some commercial stations play in a full year.”

However, she says the BBC faces significant funding challenges including a 24 per cent fall in licence fee income since 2016-17 and a mismatch between the 80 per cent of people who pay the licence fee and the 94 per cent of people who use BBC services.

Without a firm commitment on funding from the Government, and with the current BBC Charter set to expire on December 31 2027, the BBC says ‘the music we love is at risk and the industry is united in its aim to ensure a sustainable, well funded BBC with music at its heart’.

Speaking after the launch Isaac said the event was ‘exceptional’ and he met so many interesting people like Guy Garvey, Jo Whiley, Jack Saunders, Nick Grimshaw and Lord Brennan who mentioned him and his challenge in the House of Lords.

Isaac will be releasing an album next January after the challenge finishes and says with pre-sales and the momentum he has, which he hopes will keep growing, he says a number one album is his next target.

To stay up to date with Isaac follow him on social or isaacneilson.co.uk