We’re extremely proud of our music heritage here in Manchester, and whilst we love having the biggest stars in the world visiting us, we also appreciate the local, emerging artists in the city. Now, one annual event that focuses heavily on this, Beyond The Music, has announced the third edition of its fast-growing global forum and festival, taking over MediaCity, Salford for 2026 on 7th, 8th and 9th October.
Across three days, the event will 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.
A co-operative positioned at the intersection of culture, content and innovation, 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.
Beyond The Music is moving to MediaCity
In a year that has seen both the BRIT Awards and the MOBOs and their fringe events highlight Manchester’s importance as a creative and cultural hub, the 2026 programme will utilise the MediaCity campus, including dock10 MediaCity studios. Various iconic Salford music venues, will also be used to deliver a curated mix of keynote conversations, industry showcases, networking opportunities and cross-sector partnerships—bringing together artists, executives, innovators and policymakers from across the globe.
Beyond The Music by day – conference series
By day, the 2026 edition of Beyond The Music’s acclaimed conference programming will combine leading figures from across the music and content industries for a series of vital, change-making and challenging conversations dedicated to protecting and developing the right to protection and ownership of the arts.
AI Summit hosted by Andy Burnham
A core element of the 2026 programme is a first of its kind global All Content AI Summit hosted by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, former Culture Secretary and founding member of Beyond The Music; bringing the 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 by night – emerging artist festival
By night, Beyond The Music shifts its focus onto the talent of the future; with over 100 emerging artists carefully selected to perform in front of Beyond The Music delegates and festival-goers, ensuring brand new artists receive the opportunity to perform and meet with the industry professionals capable of skyrocketing their careers.
For those at the earliest stages of their careers, Beyond The Music strives to make change within the industry by offering the opportunity for new artists and bands to submit their music to a panel of music industry experts, with a number of successful applicants offered the chance to perform at one of the festival’s anchor music venues.
To celebrate the festival’s new MediaCity home, Beyond The Music will also redefine the meaning of a “grassroots venue”, utilising a variety of multi-purpose spaces across the campus, studios and even the adjoining Quayside shopping centre; with spotlight shows to be held at some of Salford’s most beloved existing venues.
How to get tickets for Beyond The Music 2026
Tickets for Beyond The Music 2026 are available now here, including a Pay It Forward scheme which aims to maximise accessibility for those who are hoping to advance their career within the music industry, but may not be able to afford the full ticket price.
Submissions are open now for emerging artists to perform at the festival.