The extremely anticipated Past The Music competition, set to unfold at MediaCity in Salford, Higher Manchester, from October 6-9, 2026, has unveiled its second wave of performing artists. This enlargement of the lineup guarantees to showcase a dynamic vary of expertise, pushing the boundaries of what’s thought-about “grassroots” music and efficiency throughout the artistic {industry} convention.
Second Wave Artists Introduced for Past The Music 2026
Among the many newly confirmed acts are the British/Chinese language electro duo SILVERWINGKILLER, recognized for his or her progressive soundscapes, and the audio-visual collective One other Nation $$$$, which guarantees a multi-sensory expertise. Additionally becoming a member of the roster is the alt-rap group ALT BLK ERA, poised to ship a robust efficiency.
These additions complement an already spectacular checklist of beforehand introduced performers and audio system. Sunderland singer-songwriter Tom A. Smith is slated to not solely carry out but additionally take part within the competition’s artistic {industry} discussion board. Scottish art-rock ensemble Walt Disco will deliver their distinctive type, whereas British-Jamaican artist, producer, and rapper Superlative is about to impress with their multifaceted expertise. Manchester’s personal Cody Frost can also be confirmed, including native taste to the varied worldwide lineup.
A Complete Inventive Trade Gathering
Past The Music 2026 is greater than only a music competition; it’s a important gathering for the artistic industries. The occasion is about to host the unique premiere of the twenty fourth Anniversary version of the seminal movie “24 Hour Celebration Folks,” providing a deep dive into the cultural historical past of Manchester’s music scene. Moreover, the competition will mark the debut launch of Billboard UK’s prestigious 40 Beneath 40 checklist, celebrating rising leaders within the music and leisure sectors.
The convention program is designed to foster dialogue and innovation, that includes three full days of panels, keynote speeches, and debates. The overarching theme for these discussions is “Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness,” inviting attendees to discover up to date points via varied lenses. This thematic method ensures that the conversations prolong past the quick music {industry}, touching upon broader societal and cultural dialogues.
Deal with Synthetic Intelligence within the Inventive Sphere
A big spotlight of this 12 months’s convention would be the All Content material AI Summit, a key initiative backed by Andy Burnham. This summit goals to convene main practitioners and policymakers from throughout the varied content material industries. The first goal is to collaboratively discover and set up an integrity-first place for using Synthetic Intelligence (AI) inside artistic fields. Discussions are anticipated to cowl moral issues, potential functions, and the long run affect of AI on content material creation, distribution, and consumption.
Tickets and Passes Now Out there
For these desperate to expertise the total spectrum of Past The Music 2026, varied ticketing choices at the moment are out there. Pageant tickets, which grant entry to the musical performances, are on sale. Moreover, delegate passes are provided for people in search of full entry to the convention classes, together with panels, keynotes, and the AI Summit. Single day and particular person present tickets are additionally out there for buy, offering flexibility for attendees with particular pursuits or time constraints. Early reserving is really helpful to safe most popular entry to this multifaceted occasion.
Past The Music: A Platform for Innovation and Connection
Past The Music has constantly aimed to be a significant platform the place rising expertise can join with established {industry} professionals, fostering collaboration and progress. The competition’s location at MediaCity, a hub for media and expertise, supplies a perfect backdrop for discussions on the way forward for artistic industries. The curated lineup, spanning numerous genres and creative expressions, underscores the competition’s dedication to showcasing a big selection of expertise. The inclusion of industry-focused occasions, such because the Billboard UK 40 Beneath 40 launch and the AI Summit, positions Past The Music as an important occasion for anybody concerned in or within the evolving panorama of music, media, and expertise.
The competition’s dedication to exploring themes like “Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness” via the lens of music and {industry} discourse provides a layer of mental depth, encouraging attendees to mirror on the broader societal implications of artistic work. Because the October 2026 dates method, the total affect of this fastidiously curated occasion is anticipated to resonate all through the artistic sectors.

