Andy Burnham Speaks at Beyond The Music Conference, Kicking Off Game-Changing Event

The Beyond The Music conference is in full swing in Manchester, and on Thursday, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, took to the stage to address the city's vital role in the UK music scene. Speaking to a packed crowd, Burnham emphasized the need for industry support for emerging talent: "Let’s create a template for how you bring the next generation into music careers."

Alongside Burnham, key voices like Tony Harlow (Warner Music UK) and Michael Adex (NQ) shared insights on the evolving music landscape, highlighting the growing importance of Northern music hubs and the decentralization of London. Adex and Harlow’s keynote conversation touched on the power of independent labels, the role of majors, and the ever-changing ways fans discover music.

Thursday also saw the kickoff of Beyond The Music’s live music festival, with performances from grassroots stars such as Westside Cowboy, OneDa, and Fuzz Lightyear across iconic Manchester venues. Curated by platforms like NQ and Clash, the festival is putting over 200 rising artists on a global stage.

Beyond The Music is not just about performances; it's driving forward important industry discussions. The day’s panels tackled everything from cross-industry investment in grassroots music to addressing misogyny in the industry, with contributions from experts like Jen Smith (CIISA) and Zelda Perkins.

With more performances and conversations lined up, Beyond The Music is proving to be a critical moment for reshaping the future of the UK music scene.