Beyond The Music 2026

About Beyond The Music

150+ artists and 100+ speakers set the scale for Beyond The Music 2026 in Manchester, a music festival and conference based around MediaCity and Salford Quays. The 2026 edition runs 6–9 Oct 2026 across three nights and one walkable campus.

Beyond The Music Limited was incorporated on 17 Mar 2022. The first edition was announced on 13 Mar 2023 and took place in Manchester on 11–14 Oct 2023. The 2024 edition drew over 2,000 attendees and ran at Aviva Studios and venues across Manchester.

Who Is It For?

The stated audience runs from music fans and artists to industry delegates and students. Its delegate-facing side takes in labels, managers, A&Rs, policymakers, journalists, tech developers and other creative-industry roles.

Student passes are part of the ticket structure. A Pay It Forward access route is listed for subsidised attendance.

The Venue and Site

MediaCity and Salford Quays give the 2026 site its frame. The campus runs across MediaCity Studios, Quayside and long-standing music venues, with festival venues and outdoor stages on a walkable waterside site. The site is walkable.

Facilities listed for key areas include step-free and wheelchair access, accessible toilets, dedicated seating where available, sign-language interpretation for selected sessions and sensory-friendly spaces. Delegate facilities include a networking lounge and app.

Travel Information

MediaCity sits at Salford Quays, around a 10–15 minute drive from Manchester city centre.

• Nearest stations: Salford Crescent and Manchester Piccadilly.
• Metrolink: Manchester Piccadilly to MediaCityUK stop takes about 20 minutes.
• Road access: M602 Junctions 2 and 3, via Broadway.
• Parking: three on-site car parks at MediaCity, with EV charging. MediaCity car park rates are listed as £2.50 for 1 hour, £5.00 for 2 hours, £7.00 for 3 hours, £15.00 for 15 hours and £30.00 for 24 hours. Payment is cashless.