Beyond The Music Unveils Second Wave for 2026 With Tom A. Smith, ALT BLK ERA and Scorcher

Greater Manchester’s music and creative industries festival expands its line-up with more talent, new stage partners and a major focus on the future of music, policy and AI.

Beyond The Music has announced the second wave of artists for its 2026 edition, with Tom A. Smith, ALT BLK ERA, Scorcher, Cody Frost, The Slow Readers Club, Jayahadadream, GANS, SILVERWINGKILLER, Mouth Ulcers, Bawo, BEX and Lady Ice among the latest names joining the bill.

Returning to MediaCity, Salford from 6–9 October, the fast-growing conference and showcase festival will once again bring together emerging artists, industry leaders, policymakers and creatives for three days of conversation and three nights of live music across venues and repurposed spaces throughout Greater Manchester.

Curated by Beyond The Music co-founder and lead programmer Oli Wilson, the event has quickly built a reputation as one of the UK’s most diverse and forward-thinking music showcases, championing underrepresented artists, maintaining a 50/50 gender split and creating new opportunities for talent from Greater Manchester and beyond.

This year also sees a host of new stage partners joining the festival, including SXSW, BBC Introducing, Amazon Music +44, Chris Hawkins Awesome Friends, Dot to Dot Festival and Focus Wales, each curating their own showcases across the week.

Among today’s additions are Sunderland singer-songwriter Tom A. Smith, who will also appear as a speaker at the accompanying conference, Scottish art-rock outfit Walt Disco, London goth-rock newcomers Mouth Ulcers and Manchester favourite, Cody Frost, who returns after first appearing at the festival in 2023 before signing to a major label.

The latest announcement also highlights the breadth of Beyond The Music’s programming, spanning grime, rap, rock, electronic music and metal. ALT BLK ERA bring their genre-blurring fusion of rap, rock and DnB, while artists including Che3kz, JD Cliffe, Migraine Mowgli and Superlative showcase the strength of the UK’s contemporary rap landscape. Elsewhere, experimental electronic acts such as Another Country $$$$ and SILVERWINGKILLER sit alongside heavier sounds from Bruise Control and 40,000 Leagues.

Alongside its live programme, Beyond The Music’s conference strand will host keynotes, debates and policy discussions focused on the future of the creative industries. Highlights include the launch of Billboard UK’s 40 Under 40 list, a screening of the 24th anniversary edition of 24 Hour Party People, and a major new AI summit bringing together policymakers and industry leaders to discuss licensing, attribution and creative rights.

With more artists and speakers still to be announced, Beyond The Music continues to position itself as a vital meeting point for the next generation of talent and the wider creative industries. Tickets and delegate passes are on sale now.

Tickets for Beyond The Music 2026 are on sale now.

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