Manchester’s Beyond The Music festival and conference has today (March 30) announced its return this autumn.
The event will take place from October 7-9 and will this year move to a new location, taking part at Salford’s MediaCity where northern arms of media organisations including the BBC and ITV are situated. You can buy tickets for the event here.
The event will once again explore current issues facing the music industry via keynote conversations, industry showcases and networking opportunities, “bringing together artists, executives, innovators and policymakers from across the globe.”
The third iteration of the event will, accord to a statement, “convene leading voices from music, media, technology and the wider creative industries for a programme designed to connect ideas, unlock collaboration and accelerate sector growth,” and will see industry professionals discuss the biggest issues affecting the music scene today. There will also be a showcase of grassroots music throughout Salford during the three-day event.
A statement added: “Beyond The Music seeks to expand Manchester’s resoundingly successful year of musical development into the wider region; bringing Salford and its centenary year celebrations together with central Manchester to solidify the region’s identity as a central destination for music, creativity and content; no longer a local market but the core of a major, global shift in the digital industries.”
A key element of the 2026 event programme is what is being described as a “first of its kind global All Content AI Summit” hosted by Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, who is also a founding member of Beyond The Music.
Burnham will bring leading practitioners and policymakers from every content industry together to “align on a shared, rights and integrity-first position for AI – identifying practical routes to licensing, provenance, attribution and enforcement in order for innovation to grow and flourish without eroding trust, livelihoods or lawful commerce,” Beyond the Music shared in a statement.
Speaking about the event, Burnham said: “Greater Manchester has always been at the forefront of cultural innovation, and Beyond The Music is a vital opportunity for the sector to come together and address the challenges and opportunities facing music and content creation.
“That’s why I’m proud to host the All Content AI Summit, which will provide a space to consider the ethical questions raised by new technologies and how we can protect creators’ rights.
“Greater Manchester has always been willing to take a stand on the issues that matter – standing up for the people behind the music, making sure they are recognised, rewarded, and able to build sustainable careers. That’s what we mean by balancing growth with responsible innovation. With its move to MediaCity and bigger than ever programme, Beyond The Music is helping to cement our city region’s place at the centre of the creative economy.”
Sarah Pearson, Co-founder of Beyond The Music, said: “Beyond The Music’s mission is to seize this moment, to come together and drive meaningful and lasting change in the music and content industry. It is undeniable that the impact and importance of music and content is stronger than ever, but this is not reflected in its perceived value.
“The ethical and economic infrastructure of the music and content industries demand urgent attention and bold reform. We have some of the most pioneering and innovative minds in the world, so when we gather – united, in one place, at one time – we have the power to venture beyond the music and help redefine the future of the creative economy. It is our responsibility to protect creativity in order to ensure it doesn’t just survive but thrives. Things may feel difficult, but they are still possible.”
Alice Webb, CEO of MediaCity and dock10 where the event is being held, added: “Beyond The Music arriving at MediaCity signals something bigger than a change of location; it’s a statement about where the future of the creative economy is being built. By bringing music into the conversation with broadcasting, digital innovation and emerging technologies, this moment puts Greater Manchester at the centre of a global shift in how content is created, owned and valued.
“At a time when AI is redefining the rules, it is so important to protect the authenticity of human performance, whilst unlocking new ways to innovate. Beyond The Music is creating the space, the energy and the leadership to make that happen.”
Sally Cook, Strategic Lead for Culture and Creative Industries at Salford Culture and Place Partnership said: “Salford has a rich musical heritage and a thriving network of creatives, so we’re thrilled to be welcoming Beyond the Music to the city this year. We’re excited by the chance to showcase the city’s cultural scene and the range of creative possibilities here in Salford. We’re looking forward to hosting attendees from across the region and further afield to what we’re certain will be an unmissable event.”
Previous Beyond the Music conferences have included a showcase of grassroots artists across the city and a panel that debated the future of the industry against Westminster’s ‘Deaf Ears’. In the past, Aitch has also appeared as a keynote speaker at the event.
2024’s event also saw a panel with Lisa Nandy and Burnham debating the ongoing crisis facing grassroots venues.
It comes in what is a culturally rich time for Manchester having held this year’s BRIT awards in February and the MOBO awards last week. BBC Radio6 Music also held its festival in the city last week.
