Manchester’s global music conference and new music festival BEYOND THE MUSIC today details Beyond The Band, an all-access pass to the music industry for 16-25 year olds presented by Beyond The Music INSPIRE, taking place Thursday 2nd October delivered in partnership with Co-op Live and adidas Originals Recording Studio. Supported by Oasis’ management team and independent record company, the event will feature Marcus Russell (Manager, Ignition Music), Clare Byrne (Label head, Ignition Music), Michael Adex (Founder NQ / Aitch manager),

Andy Burnham (Mayor of Greater Manchester), Bev Craig (Leader of Manchester City Council), and will be hosted by OneDa (award-winning Manchester poet and rapper), and many more.

Manchester’s rich musical legacy has reached new heights in 2025; from the phenomenon of Oasis’ reunion shows at Heaton Park generating millions for the local Manchester economy and creating an extraordinary, city-wide buzz like never before, to the monumental news of the BRIT Awards leaving London after five decades for a brand new chapter at Manchester’s Co-op Live.

Behind the scenes, the UK Government’s stats show that London consistently dominates creative output. Over 50% of creative GVA comes from the capital, with just 8% of the country’s creative jobs based in the North West. For Beyond The Music and the management and label behind Oasis, the mission is clear: diversify, decentralise and develop Manchester’s creative employment and opportunity in order to protect and grow its legacy.

Speaking on Beyond The Band and the INSPIRE programme, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: "Greater Manchester has always led the way when it comes to music - from venues and festivals to the artists who’ve made their mark across the world. Our future depends on inspiring the next generation and making sure they have the access and opportunities to take it even further. Beyond The Band is about opening those doors and giving young people the chance to carry our story forward."

Speaking on Manchester’s music legacy and the significance of the programme, Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester’s music legacy is celebrated across the world—but its future depends on the investments we make today. By supporting grassroots venues and championing initiatives like the BTM INSPIRE event, we’re not only creating opportunities for young talent but also strengthening the ecosystem that keeps our great city’s music scene thriving.”

Speaking on the importance of the programme, Co-founders of Beyond The Music, Sarah Pearson, Oli Wilson and Rose Marley said: “Manchester’s rich musical legacy is something we’re endlessly proud of, but it’s time to start looking forwards. Beyond The Music was founded to shape the future of our Manchester music ecosystem and the music and content industry itself, and that future depends on the next generation.

Our INSPIRE programme has already seen how free and equal access to music education and networks can change the trajectory of a career, and with such significant strides taken for Manchester’s music calendar over the past twelve months it’s feels more urgent than ever for Beyond The Band to open the doors at a grassroots level.”

Since its formation in 2022, Beyond The Music INSPIRE, in partnership with Sharp Futures has introduced Manchester students from SODA (Manchester Metropolitan University), Access Creative College, Manchester College, Factory Academy and more to key industry stakeholders including BPI, PPL, PRS, UK Music, Musician’s Union and Dolby Atmos via its accessible, free to attend events and workshops running parallel with its industry conference.

INSPIRE’s latest initiative, Beyond The Band is designed to enable, connect and inspire future generations of music professionals via insightful panel conversations, networking programmes and exhibitions spanning every avenue of the industry, from management, publishing and promotion to touring and production.

The one-day programme will be hosted by award-winning Manchester poet and rapper OneDa, and will open with a talk from Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester and founding member of Beyond The Music, who will outline his vision for the city’s musical future; later unfolding into a series of behind the scenes insights, roundtable conversations and speed-networking events within Co-op Live & adidas Originals Recording Studio engineered by Abbey Road.

Beyond The Band panels will be hosted by John Robb and will include ON THE GROUND - Recording, Management, Publishing and Promotion, and ON THE ROAD - Live & Production; offering the attendees the opportunity to gain priceless insight, introductions and networking opportunities with the likes of Marcus Russell (Manager, Ignition Music), Clare Byrne (Label head, Ignition Music), Rob Allen (Founder, Maintain Perspective PR), Michael Adex (Founder, NQ), Caroline Elleray (Founder, Second Songs), Shan Hira (FOH Sound Engineer), Katherine Cantwell (Heavenly Records), Chris Hawkins (DJ, BBC Radio 6 Music), Rob Ballantine (Director, SJM), and more.

To ensure the brightest and most ambitious new voices in the region are represented, free-entry tickets to Beyond The Band will be granted via an application process. Applicants will be at the beginning of their professional journey, whether managing a friend's band, gaining experience at a local venue, or establishing a new label, all are encouraged to demonstrate their passion and potential contribution to the industry’s future.

Places are limited, and applicants are encouraged to make their submissions creative, bold, and clear in demonstrating why they should be a part of this vital opportunity. For more information see: https://beyondthemusic.co.uk/beyondtheband/