Trailblazing global conference and music festival Beyond The Music returns to Manchester this week (October 9-12) and shoppers and visitors are in for a treat with a series of free live music sessions across the city centre. A creative collaboration between Beyond The Music and co-founding sponsors of the event will see some of Manchester’s most notable collectives, radio stations and artists perform in a genre-hopping live music showcase in locations across the city centre.
The line-up includes a two-day live music stage in Exchange Square, DJs dropping beats in some of the city’s main shopping streets and pop-up performances in hotel lobbies. Curated by Manchester based creative producer Beau Azra Scott, with the ethos of Beyond The Music in mind, the free events are a celebration of the varying corners of Manchester’s musical landscape and will run alongside the wider festival’s programme of live music and conferences taking over a multitude of Northern Quarter venues and Aviva Studios.
BRIT award-winning, multi-platinum-selling artist Aitch kicked off the conference as the opening Keynote speaker, in conversation with Dotty, host of ‘The Dotty Show’ on Apple Music 1 and Lead Cultural Curator, Black Music for Apple Music UK.
All of the free Beyond the Music events happening in Manchester
Beyond the Music, Manchester: Dawn Chorus and DJ Trucks – Thursday 10 October
Hotel visitors waking up at The Castlefield Hotel, Manchester Marriott Victoria & Albert Hotel, Hilton Manchester Deansgate, The Lowry Hotel, Maldron Hotel Manchester City Centre, INNSiDE by Meliá Hotel, Roomzzz Manchester Aparthotel at Corn Exchange and City Suites this Thursday (10 October) will be treated to a ‘Dawn Chorus‘ – a series of intimate classical performances from students at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in the foyer of each hotel.
Performances will take place from 8am – 10am and artists include Rumava String Trio, Aster Duo, Cantelina, Duo Aerius, J2Duo, Jess Hughes and Quartet Tesni. Later in the day, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Square, Piccadilly Gardens and Market Street will host DJ trucks which will be parking up to soundtrack the city from 12pm – 8pm.
Live Music Stage in Exchange Square – Friday 11 and Saturday 12 October
In a packed two-day programme celebrating Manchester’s musical diversity, a Live Music Stage in Exchange Square, outside Selfridges, will showcase a host of musicians, and artists from 12-8pm on both days. Friday features artists brought to the stage by Big People Music; a creative agency whose ethos is to use music for worldwide connection.
Friday line-up:
- 12-2:30pm − BPM Takeover featuring Jali Nyonkoling Kuyateh, Silky Keys and iamkyami
- 2:30-3pm − MYDIR
- 3-3:30pm − R’monah
- 3:30-4pm − MYDIR
- 4-4:30pm − Meduulla
- 4:30-5:30pm − Urbi
- 5:30-7pm − The Untold Orchestra featuring Yemi Bolatiwa, Renee Stormz, O’Sapien & Rosebud
- 7-8pm − atalaya
Saturday features an all-day-takeover co-curated by Jenna G. The celebrated vocalist, songwriter and DnB icon has brought her hometown homage From Manchester With Love to the stage with radio style live lounge performances, interviews and DJs.
Saturday line-up:
Hosted all day by Jenna G with From Manchester with Love
- 12:45-1:15pm / Kiké Ade
- 1:45-2:30pm / Rumbi Tauro
- 2:45-3:30pm / An interview with Chunky
- 3:45-4:15pm / Roukaya B
- 4:15-5pm / An interview with Lill
- 5-6pm / SHEwillprovide
- 6:30-7:15pm / Madame Claude
- 7:15-8pm / Meme Gold
Manchester Music Trail Visitors can also pick up a copy of the Manchester Music Trail, commissioned in 2023 to celebrate the city’s iconic gig venues and musical heritage. The map takes in well-known stories, tales that people might be not-so-familiar with and shines a light on current music scenes. Visitors and tourists can pick up a copy of the map at the Tourist Information Centre, at the live music stage on Exchange Square (Fri and Sat only) and city centre hotels.
Beyond the Music events across Manchester this weekend are free to attend and don’t require a ticket. The conference schedule and tickets can be found here.