Beyond the Music Conference and Festival will host its first edition in Manchester from the 11th to the 14th October. In partnership with Lush, they have announced ‘Music For Everyone‘, a ground-breaking day of free entry live music in Manchester city centre on Thursday 12th October, supporting grassroots venues and artists while providing free access for everyone. Speaking about their new partnership with Beyond The Music, Melody Morton, Lush Concepts Creative Director says:
“Community and interacting and working alongside musicians rather than just listening to them has always been at the heart of Lush. We’re thrilled to join hands with Beyond The Music to introduce ‘Music For Everyone’ in Manchester—a city that has forever been a beacon in the global music landscape. Embracing the crucial contributions of grassroots venues and artists, and their role in shaping and amplifying music culture. It’s our pleasure to support this musical day of celebration, ensuring everyone can be a part of it.”
Beyond The Music will take place across venues in and around the city. The global annual event will seek to not only solve the issues being faced today but to produce innovative models for the future. At the heart of the festival will be four days of live music by the most exciting new and established artists from around the world, alongside a series of conferences exploring The Past, The Present, The Future and The Summit, identifying everything from the entrepreneurs who have defined Manchester’s music DNA including the new wave, the right to sustainability, ownership and equality within the industry, and how to find music’s place within the new cultural economy of tech, gaming, branding and film & TV.
Beyond The Music has also confirmed a full-day celebration of Manchester’s club scene at a never-used-before secret location, curated by the iconic The Face Magazine on Saturday 14th October. The lineup will feature local heroes, MOBO-nominated Anz, co-founder of NTS Manchester, Finn and fellow NTS regular Tom Boogizm, with more names to be announced soon.
In addition, BBC Introducing has announced the return of its highly anticipated flagship music discovery event – BBC Introducing Live – with a new format to support even more young musicians, creatives, and industry talent across the UK. Partnering with Beyond The Music to curate a panel about UK music’s talent pipeline and the development of new artists, featuring industry entrepreneurs, execs and artists. Plus there will be a day of live music at the iconic Band on the Wall venue showcasing the cutting-edge talent and eclectic mix of genres that reflect the thriving Manchester music scene and its cultural renaissance. Acts already confirmed include July 7, Wooze, Walt Disco, Cody Frost and L’Objectif. The programme will also provide an open decks session for aspiring DJs offering a unique chance to spin tracks and share their musical soundscape with a live audience.
Finally, Beyond The Music has also announced further lineup additions for its grassroots talent showcases spanning the iconic Northern Quarter. Joining previously announced artists including Loose Articles, [ K S R ] and Tokky Horror. New names like Maruja and WTRGRL will form a part of Thursday’s ‘Music For Everyone’ accessible lineup.
The whispers surrounding Manchester’s own Maruja follow years of impressing with their dynamic live shows. Known for bouts of improvisation and eclectic compositions, Maruja will bring their compelling performance back to their hometown. Elsewhere on Thursday, Dazed-tipped LA-based Swedish-Mexican American producer, drummer, and singer-songwriter WTRGRL walks the line between mainstream and alternative electronic-pop.
Described by his label Ninja Tune as a “London-based rapper, producer, model, illustrator, photographer, skater, and amateur chess player,” Brian Nasty is a multi-hyphenate. Having just released his EP, Growing Pains, in May of this year, Brian Nasty will showcase his knack for genre blending in Manchester on the closing day of the festival.
Speaking about these new announcements, Beyond The Music founder Oli Wilson says:
“We’ve got the best new and breaking talent playing the best venues in the best city in the world, and we’re so glad to be able to share it with everyone. Thanks to Lush we’re able to make new music discovery something everyone can take part in, joining us on our mission in supporting grass root venues, new artists and the local music ecosystem.”
Submissions are open for the Beyond The Music: Discovered programme, a statement of intent which strives to make change within the industry. The programme offers the opportunity for new artists and bands to submit their music to a panel of music industry experts, led by A&R executive Caroline Elleray of Second Songs Publishing, for the chance to perform at one of the festival’s anchor music venues; encouraging music discovery through live performance. Submissions are open now.
The festival has also launched a Pay It Forward system in order 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. Applications for PIF tickets are open here.
For more information on Beyond the Music including tickets please check the website here.
