Beyond The Music Festival is creating a fair music ecosystem from the grassroots up.
It’s rare to see the future of the music industry being moulded in real time, but at Beyond The Music Festival - the four day conference taking place next week in Mediacity, Manchester - invaluable discussions on creating a fair and vibrant music eco-system are being shaped from the grassroots up. Presented as ‘round stage summits’, built to reach important decisions that inspire action with a delegate vote cast at the end of every conversation, this unique event doesn’t just explore possible solutions, it demands one. Bolstered by a fantastic roster of live music, panels and networking spaces, the festival considers the best way to support talent in every way possible.
To give a taster, here are some of the events we’re looking forward to most at Beyond The Music Festival.
SCREENING: 24 Hour Party People X Beyond The Music
What’s the best way to watch a movie? How about in the room with the people who made it possible. BTM’s launch event is an exclusive screening of 24 Party People alongside director Michael Winterbottom and actor Steve Coogan for their, very apt 24th anniversary of the film's release. Chronicling the infamous rise of Manchester’s legendary dance club, The Hacienda, Coogan plays music pioneer Tony Wilson, in this comedic tale of working class musicians that truly made Mad-chester great.
ARTIST: Bruise Control
Cruisin’ for a bruisin'? BRUISE CONTROL will give you a fantastic insight into the vitality of the local music scene with this youthful- but nostalgic punch of powerful punk music. Perfect for intimate venues and dripping with charisma, the BBC will not know what hit them. Corporate-clad moshing is encouraged and business attire will be put to the test sandwiched between sweat and sensible discussions on keeping bands like BRUISE CONTROL alive.
SUMMIT: The Convergence of Music and Video Games: Marriage Made in Heaven or Unholy Union?
Iconic video game soundtracks truly shape a player’s user experience. Atmospheric and moving, highlighting dazzling wins, or dastardly moments of doom, these days soundtracks provide more than just a moment made. Taking a look into the production, licensing and commercialisation of video game music, this panel overviews a burgeoning industry in conversation with indie developers and global names in this popular and evolving industry.
ARTIST: Cody Frost
Alt-rock popstar and non-binary icon CODY FROST will be joining the festival’s live music roster, as a shining example of a working class wonder who has pushed their own signature brand of electronic-tinged pop. Previously collaborating with ENTER SHIKARI, ARTIO and BURY TOMORROW, Cody joins this roster after the release of their PRODIGY-inspired techno track Flamethrower, in collaboration with Circadian.
KEYNOTE: B Side: Fandom Rewired
Love it or not, fan culture is here to stay. In this informative talk with some of the heads of music marketing and strategisation, a new look into how fandoms emerge and develop in this changing digital world. Taking a deeper look into how fan culture continues to innovate away from virality and online presence, this speech is a statement in how artists can offer meaningful connections with their audience and taking care to support future generations and their music.
INSPIRE PROGRAMME: Beyond The Education
Aimed at providing insight into employability and pathways for young people in the music industry, BTM’s inspire programme, an alternative lineup championing industry inclusivity and making music accessible. Taking place next door at the University of Salford, this event offers moments to discuss, pitch and connect with industry professionals from organisations including Coop Live, Unity Radio, Notion and BBC Introducing amongst others. Workshops in radio, and talks on the importance of music venues will punctuate the day with inspiring moments of making a hobby a full career.
ARTIST: Gen and The Degenerates
Gen is - of course - an icon of brutally truthful lyrics. With this unique brand of oozing indie grunge, they tempo an honest roster of lyrics giving real depth into queerness, self-confidence, authenticity and sticking it to the man. A real electric stage presence, doubled with a real passion for creating music that doesn’t conform to one genre, GEN AND THE DEGENERATES are the real pick me up in a real intense cohort of challenging conversations over the course of the convention week.
Words: Amber Brooks
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