What's Happening?
Beyond The Music, a policy-setting music and creative industry conference and music showcase festival, commenced its 2026 edition with 'The Launch: The Legacy' in Salford, Greater Manchester. The festival, now in its third year, is taking over the MediaCity
campus for the first time, offering an extensive program of keynotes, summits, lectures, and music showcases from October 6-9, 2026. The opening featured a special 24th-anniversary screening of '24 Hour Party People,' accompanied by a keynote session with actor Steve Coogan, director Michael Winterbottom, and producer Andrew Eaton. The festival's lineup, curated by co-founder Oli Wilson and influential industry organizations like SXSW and Amazon Music +44, pledges a 50/50 gender split and aims to provide equal opportunities for underrepresented genres and individuals, particularly from Greater Manchester. Highlights include performances by Kofi Stone, Suggz, Scorcher, and HotWax.
Why It's Important?
Beyond The Music 2026 holds significant importance as it combines a music showcase with a policy-setting conference, aiming to shape the future of the music and creative industries. Its focus on a 50/50 gender split and support for underrepresented artists addresses critical diversity and inclusion issues within the industry, potentially setting new standards for other festivals and organizations. The involvement of major industry players like SXSW and Amazon Music +44 in curating the lineup enhances its credibility and reach. By hosting discussions on creative activism, industry investment, and the future creative economy, the festival serves as a crucial platform for dialogue and innovation. The event's expansion to MediaCity signifies its growing influence and capacity to bring together a wide array of stakeholders, from emerging artists to industry leaders, fostering networking and collaboration opportunities.
What's Next?
The Beyond The Music festival will continue its extensive program of conferences and showcases through October 9, 2026. Upcoming sessions include discussions on creative activism, the class divide in creative industries, music industry investment, and the future of the live music ecosystem. A significant event will be the Creative Industries AI Summit on Friday, October 6, convened by the UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, aiming to establish 'The Manchester Principles' for AI policy in content industries. The festival will also host the first-ever UK edition of Billboard UK's 40 Under 40 Honors List, celebrating future leaders in the UK music industry. Following the event, the outcomes of policy discussions and the impact of networking opportunities will be closely watched for their potential to influence industry practices and future collaborations.
Beyond the Headlines
Beyond The Music's dual role as a policy-setting conference and music festival highlights a growing trend where cultural events serve as platforms for critical industry discourse and advocacy. The focus on AI policy, particularly 'The Manchester Principles,' underscores the urgent need for ethical frameworks in the rapidly evolving creative landscape, potentially influencing global standards for AI in content creation. The festival's commitment to gender equality and supporting underrepresented groups goes beyond mere performance, aiming to foster systemic change within the music industry. By transforming MediaCity into a hub of discovery and repurposing various venues, the festival also challenges traditional notions of 'grassroots' music, promoting innovation in event staging and artist development. This holistic approach positions Beyond The Music as a significant force in shaping both the artistic and business future of the creative sector.
