Tom A Smith, Gans, The Slow Readers Club lead second wave of artists for Manchester’s Beyond The Music 2026

READ MORE: “The industry needs to do more to give back”: Andy Burnham, Lisa Nandy and more address grassroots venue crisis at Beyond The Music 2024.

This year’s edition of the festival is due to take place across multiple spaces within MediaCity in Salford between October 6 and 9.

BMT’s core ethos is to “raise, discuss and solve some of the biggest problems facing the creative industries” currently. The event will bring together major voices in music, tech, film, gaming and content, as well as various political figures.

Now, the next wave of artists confirmed to perform at the festival have been announced, with Scottish art-rock band Walt Disco and London goth rock outfit Moth Ulcers on the line-up.

JD Cliffe, Migraine Mowgli, Superlative, ALT BLK ERA, Bruise Control and 40,000 Leagues are also joining the festival, with more to be announced. Check out the full line-up below.

The 2026 instalment will kick off with a special 24th anniversary premiere of Steve Coogan‘s 24 Hour Party People, ahead of the 2002 comedy-drama’s 4K rerelease in cinemas worldwide.

Elsewhere at BTM ’26, Prime Minister Andy Burnham will convene the ‘All Content Global AI Summit’. This is scheduled to close the conference on October 9.

You can find more information about Beyond The Music 2026 here.

This spring, Burnham helped confirm that Beyond The Music – which he helped found – would be returning in 2026. He said it would continue to explore current issues facing the music industry via keynote conversations, industry showcases and networking opportunities.

He also spoke to NME along with other figures from the music industry in 2024 about the festival, and highlighted the dire need to support grassroots music venues and new artists across the UK.

NME asked him for his reaction to Coldplay making their own ticket levy, after the band announced they would donate 10 per cent of their profits from their 2025 UK stadium shows to save the grassroots.

With the move, Chris Martin and co. followed in the footsteps of Enter Shikari, and it came in the wake of recommendations from MPs to add a £1 levy on arena and stadium gigs.

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