Get ready for a sonic boom as two giants of Manchester's creative landscape take centre stage at Beyond The Music 2026! Steve Coogan, the irrepressible comedic genius who first brought Tony Wilson to life on screen, is set to team up with fellow Mancunian Andy Burnham, the former Mayor and now Labour MP, in a star-studded event that will tackle some of the biggest issues facing our industry. From October 6-9, Salford's MediaCity will be transformed into a hub of creativity, innovation, and collaboration as the city's creative industries come together to share ideas, solutions, and inspiration.
The festival will kick off in style with the highly anticipated premiere of '24 Hour Party People', a cult classic that has become synonymous with Manchester's music scene. This special screening will be followed by an exclusive conversation between director Michael Winterbottom and Steve Coogan, who has spoken publicly about how the film remains close to his heart – a celebration of the city's creative spirit that continues to inspire new generations.
Meanwhile, Andy Burnham will bring his expertise as co-founder and driving force behind Beyond The Music to the 'All Content Global AI Summit' on October 9. This pivotal session promises to be a game-changer in the world of artificial intelligence, bringing together leading practitioners, policymakers, and rights holders from across the creative sectors. Under Andy's chairmanship, this high-stakes summit will focus on safeguarding artistic creation while harnessing technological advancements for commercial growth.
Burnham's commitment to supporting grassroots music venues, emerging artists, and the broader creative industries has made him a vocal advocate for change in Manchester and beyond. As a co-founder of Beyond The Music, he has been instrumental in driving forward the festival's mission to "raise, discuss and solve some of the biggest problems facing the creative industries". By gathering influential figures from diverse fields, Beyond The Music 2026 is poised to spark crucial conversations and collaborations that will shape the future of our industry.
Over four action-packed days, Salford's MediaCity will host a wide range of events, screenings, and discussions tackling pressing issues in music, technology, film, gaming, and content. From the latest AI innovations to the challenges facing creative entrepreneurs, this is your chance to engage with the industry's brightest minds and help shape the future of our collective craft.