14th March – MANCHESTER, UK – For immediate release:

Following last night’s highly anticipated SXSW launch show with New Order in Austin, Texas – Beyond The Music – the world’s first change-making music conference and festival, today announces details and ticketing information for its first edition in Manchester, UK on 11 – 14 October 2023.

Specially commissioned visual artworks by students at Manchester’s School of Digital Arts (SODA) today light up Austin, Texas to herald a new era for the music industry.

First wave tickets for the first edition of Beyond The Music are available from today, at an exclusive price for a limited time at £30 per day / £90 for 3 days for festival goers, and £200 for conference & festival delegate passes. The festival has also launched a Pay It Forward option in order to maximise accessibility for those facing financial difficulties. Tickets are available here.

At the heart of Beyond The Music 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 aided in defining Manchester’s music DNA to 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.

“The industry has seen a decline from £5.8 billion in 2019 to £3.1 billion in 2021. The economy of the music business has been severely challenged by the pandemic, exit from the European Union and the development of new technology, and coupled with the evolution of the cultural economy it is forcing us to examine current infrastructure and models that have existed in the industry for years – are they fit for purpose for now?“  asks Beyond The Music’s co founder, Sarah Pearson.

“It is incumbent on us to look at the ethical practices of the business, which need a root and branch overhaul. We need to change the very nature of how we live and breathe as an industry, putting artists and musicians first. Beyond The Music is a response to a need for evolution and innovation.

“We haven’t scratched the surface of the true value of this cultural powerhouse. Music is the most shared art form in the world, it’s how we communicate across borders, how we build relationships, it’s democratic and it’s egalitarian. Music defines people’s lives, gives pleasure and eases pain. It’s important to all of us, so the very foundation upon which it’s built should be too.”

Career-defining live music performances will include the Skyline Series, which will see three unique shows from the rooftops of Manchester, and Curated, consisting of exclusive performances from established music names across 10 key venues in Manchester’s Northern Quarter and city centre.

Also announced today, the Beyond The Music Discovered 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 in Manchester city centre; encouraging music discovery through live performance. Submissions are open here.

Beyond The Music is the first festival and conference to have an integrated decision-making structure to create actions, and exist as more than just a talking shop. Launched today, its Co-Operative Membership programme will allow everyone from musicians, producers, managers, record labels, and trade bodies, through to delegates and gig lovers to have their say in the future of the global industry. By participating in Beyond the Music, everyone will have a stake and a say.

“Beyond the Music is owned by the people and organisations it matters to most.” explains BTM Chair, Rose Marley. “By forming as a co-operative it means that whether we’re discussing which venues we need to be in next year or the status of mental health across the content creation sectors, the relevant people get their voices heard.

“It’s where content meets tech meets social reform and leads the world in innovation. From the unions and suffragettes to building the first computer and discovering graphene, it’s what we’ve always done.”

The festival has also outlined three social initiatives to aid and support the growth of the music industry in Greater Manchester and beyond. BTM Legacy will partner with key music companies to fund and support young people into careers in music; Live Live aims to increase diverse music audiences, footfall and income with a support system for grassroots venues outside of Manchester city centre, including a mentorship programme for local promoters; and Access All Areas forms an education programme, working with Manchester schools, colleges, universities and arts organisations to boost interest in music based careers and provide a corridor between education and employment.