Beyond The Music 2026 to Feature 24 Hour Party People Premiere and AI Summit in Manchester

Manchester’s beating heart will pulse again as Beyond The Music 2026 kicks off at MediaCity, Salford from 6 to 9 October. The three‑day event fuses a music festival, a conference and an INSPIRE programme, and will showcase the 24 Hour Party People 24th‑anniversary premiere, a global AI summit and a series of industry‑focused summits.

The opening day begins with the long‑awaited premiere of the 2002 documentary 24 Hour Party People, a 4K restoration of the film that chronicles Factory Records’ rise. The screening precedes the film’s nationwide cinema rerelease. Director Michael Winterbottom and actor Steve Coogan will host a keynote discussion. Winterbottom said the film “was made as a celebration of the spirit and music of Manchester and Factory Records under the chaotic leadership of Tony Wilson,” adding that the event “is the perfect place to premiere the re‑release.” Coogan echoed, noting that the film “captures the creative spirit of the town I am proud to have grown up in.”

Keynotes on the first day also include Mike Pickering’s “Manchester Must Dance” and a launch party that merges the film and Beyond The Music brand. Oliver Wilson, co‑founder and co‑CEO of Beyond The Music, will welcome attendees.

Wednesday, 7 October, shifts focus to “Life.” The day opens with a welcome brunch, followed by a talk from Sarah Pearson, co‑founder and co‑CEO, and the Tom Gray address from the Ivors Academy. The Artists Summit, titled “The Art of Resistance: Creator Industry Activists Assemble,” runs alongside the Class Summit, “Class Acts: Is The Music Industry Now Too Posh To Push The Envelope?” A lunch event will feature the BTM Awards and a BTM lecture. The Sync Summit will cover soundtracks and songwriting.

Thursday, 8 October, is themed “Liberty.” It begins with a networking breakfast and a keynote by Rose Marley, chair of Beyond The Music. Tony Wilson will then deliver a keynote, after which the State of the Union Summit will tackle the question, “The Music Industry Is For Sale – But Who Is Buying?” In partnership with AIM, the Independence Summit will discuss creative sovereignty. The Economic Summit will examine rights and the future of the creative economy, while the Live Summit, in partnership with LIVE, will analyze the long‑term live and entertainment ecosystem. A Politics × Culture Summit will challenge the political value of the creative industries.

Friday, 9 October, hosts the All‑Content AI Summit, convened by Labour MP Andy Burnham for Makerfield. The summit will bring together creators, technologists and policymakers to discuss AI’s impact on the music and audio industries.

Throughout the four days, festival showcases will run across MediaCity venues, with additional line‑ups to be announced. Tickets are available through the official Beyond The Music website.

The 2026 edition marks the third iteration of the fast‑growing global forum. Beyond The Music’s expansion to MediaCity and Salford reflects its growing influence in shaping the future of music, technology and creator economies.

The event will provide a platform for industry leaders, creators and technologists to discuss the intersection of music, technology and policy, while celebrating Manchester’s rich musical heritage and looking ahead to new opportunities in AI and the creative economy.