A unique cultural forum to help shape the future of the music and media industries.

1. 19:00 to 21:00
   Screening

   24 Hour Party People

   24th anniversary film premiere

2. 21:10 to 21:40
   Keynote Q&A

   24 Hour Party People Keynote

   Michael Winterbottom, Steve Coogan and Andrew Eaton

3. 21:00 to midnight
   After party

   24 Hour Party People x Beyond The Music

   The launch party

1. 09:30 to 10:30
   Welcome Brunch

   The MMF Welcome Brunch in association with Key Production

   Building on our ever-popular manager mixers at TGE and SXSW, join us for brunch and connect with fellow music managers and industry guests at this year's Beyond The Music conference and showcase, Wednesday 7 October, 9.30 to 11am.

   Taking place at Salford's MediaCity, in association with Key Production, MMF is delighted to return to the Manchester birthplace of the MMF and help kick-off three days of talks, keynotes and Creative Industries AI Summit.

   Join us for a morning of informal networking over light refreshments, surrounded by fellow managers, our Associate Partners and industry guests.

   Sponsored by Key Production, this year's edition will take place at Blue Tower, MediaCity, Salford, M50 2NT.

   “Key Production is proud to partner with the MMF at Beyond The Music and to support the management community and the talent they represent. Key are dedicated to providing artists with creative ideas, manufacturing solutions and high-quality packaging alongside full end-to-end production support. We invite you to join us to discuss how we can help you create beautiful physical products.”

   This event is open to all, irrespective of holding a delegate pass for Beyond The Music. Non-delegates must pre-register.

   MMF mixers fill up quickly. RSVP does not guarantee entry, admission is first-come, first-served, so we strongly encourage early arrival!

   In association with

2. 10:30 to 10:40
   Welcome

   The Beyond The Music Founders

   Oli Wilson, Sarah Pearson and Rose Marley

3. 10:45 to 11:15
   Keynote

   Stacey Tang

   Co-President, RCA Records UK

   In partnership with

4. 11:15 to 11:25
   Address

   Tom Gray

   A Place For Us: A call for a sovereign creativity

   Chair, The Ivors Academy

5. 11:35 to 12:20
   Artists Summit

   Creator Activists Assemble: The Art of Resistance

   From RAYE's advocacy for songwriters, Coldplay's championing of green touring, Olivia Dean challenging ticket touts and Hollywood actors campaigning around streaming residuals and AI, creators are now increasingly influencing the future of the industries they work within. Creators, industry leaders and advocates will come together in this session to explore how creative activism is reshaping relationships and the infrastructure, and discuss what the future of the creative ecosystem could look like.

6. 12:25 to 13:10
   Class Summit

   Class Acts: Is The Music Industry Now Too Posh To Push The Envelope?

   Has building a creative career in 2026 become a luxury for the privileged few? And, with arts education provision shrinking in state schools, what happens to the breadth and diversity of the UK’s creative industries if talent opens fewer doors than money and connections? Is it really, as Sam Fender suggested, a “rigged system”? Join us for an uncompromising conversation on what government and the creative industries need to do to support education, champion artistic careers and shape creative pathways for working class youth.

   In partnership with

7. 13:15 to 15:15
   The Opening Lunch

   Featuring the Billboard UK 40 Under 40 Honours

   With speeches from Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and Alice Webb, CEO, MediaCity

   As artists, creators, delegates and industry pioneers arrive from around the world, BTM brings everyone together to meet at a special lunch that marks the beginning of a groundbreaking programme, featuring Billboard UK 40 Under 40 Honours.

   In partnership with

8. 15:00 to 16:00
   Panel

   How Music Can Save The World / DiS

   Dr Shain Shapiro, Beverley Whitrick and Tori Tsui

   Moderated by Sean Adams

   Global music policy thought leader and Music Cities advocate Shain Shapiro is asking a big question: how can music be a tool to address the biggest challenges of our time? It’s a question leading experts help him answer in his forthcoming book and podcast series, How Music Can Save The World (out 9 February 2027 on Duncan Baird/Penguin Random House). To wrestle with this big question, campaigner Sean “Drowned in Sound” Adams leads a discussion with Shapiro, plus Tori Tsui, who consults on climate policy with Earth Percent, Billie Eilish and others, and the COO of Music Venue Trust, Beverley Whitrick. Alongside introducing topics from the new book, the group will explore what it would mean to measure, fund and govern music as the infrastructure it is, and what it would mean to build resilience, create jobs and improve our music ecosystem, from top to bottom, in the UK and around the world.

9. 15:00 to 15:45
   Networking

   Billboard UK 40 Under 40 Networking Event

10. 15:15 to 15:55
    The Team Behind

    Tommas Arnby

    The Team Behind... Yungblud

    Manager, Yungblud / CEO, Special Projects Music

11. 16:00 to 16:45
    Sync Summit

    Soundtracks and Songwriters

    Presented by Sony Music Publishing

12. 16:10 to 16:55
    Roundtable

    The Convergence of Music and Video Games: Marriage Made in Heaven or Unholy union?

    In partnership with

13. From 16:15
    Sync Summit

    Finding Emily

    Screening and panel

14. 16:35 to 17:35
    Reception

    Young Sounds UK

    In partnership with

15. From 17:30
    Networking

    Brighter & Beyond

    Educators Meet The Industry

    The first of a series of relationship building events between the industry and the educators, hosted by BTM's INSPIRE and Brighter Sound.

    Hosted by INSPIRE

16. From 18:00
    Networking

    Songwriter Mixer

    In partnership with The Ivors Academy

Festival showcases across MediaCity, and more to be announced.

1. 09:00 to 10:30
   Networking Breakfast

   Business Breakfast

2. 10:00 to 10:05
   Welcome

   Beyond The Music

3. 10:15 to 10:45
   Keynote

   Jo Charrington

   President, Capitol Records UK

   In partnership with

4. 10:45 to 11:15
   Breakthrough Keynote

   Tom A. Smith and Seb Lowe

   Finding Your Way Through

   Interviewed by Chris Hawkins, BBC Radio 6 Music

   Rising stars of music Tom A. Smith and Seb Lowe join BBC 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins for a candid conversation about the realities of being a breaking artist in 2026, finding a voice, an audience and a sustainable path in the rapidly changing music and creative landscape. From the acceleration of digital discovery, the demands of constant visibility and mental health, to the enduring power of songwriting, live performance and human connection, they explore what it takes to move from emerging artist to enduring career, and how to grow without losing sight of the creativity, identity and purpose at the heart of the work.

5. 11:10 to 11:40
   My Independent Story

   Trigga

6. 11:15 to 12:00
   State of the Union Summit

   The Music Industry Is For Sale, But Who Is Buying?

   Music has become firmly established as an ‘asset class’, with unprecedented levels of external investment flowing into the industry, while acquisitions of catalogues, IP and independent companies hit new heights. This is prompting important questions about ownership, creative control and the future of independent businesses. Is investment creating new opportunities for growth, innovation and long-term value? Who does the investment really benefit and what long term impact will it have on the creative industries? Who ‘owns’ the future? A panel of experts from all sides of the business debate the future for music and the creative industries.

7. 12:00 to 12:20
   Keynote Speech

   Dr Jo Twist OBE

   Chief Executive, BPI

8. 12:20 to 13:05
   Independence Summit

   The State Of Independence: Defining Creative Sovereignty in 2026

   The independent music and creative landscape has gone through unprecedented change in recent times, as some distribution companies that many DIY and indie musicians rely on are evolving rapidly. Distribution businesses are consolidating, some of the OG labels are looking at exit strategies, established independent companies are planning for succession, and creators are building increasingly sophisticated post DIY careers through flexible partnerships rather than traditional pathways. Historical systems for breaking through have altered entirely and a new cohort of independent labels, entrepreneurs and management companies adapt to new methods, not just for building artist careers, but building artist culture and infrastructure. A series of panels featuring radical leaders and boundary-pushing artists debate what these changes mean for the creative sector and look to define the new frontier of creative sovereignty.

   In partnership with

9. 13:05 to 14:00
   Lunch

   AIM Roundtable and Lunch

   In partnership with

10. 13:20 to 13:40
    Talk

    Youth Music: The Industry Connect Coalition

    Dan Tsu and Kate McBain, Industry Connect, Youth Music

11. 13:40 to 14:30
    BPI Innovation

    BPI Innovation Unlocked

12. 14:35 to 15:30
    Economic Summit

    Rights and Wrongs: The Future Of The Creative Economy and How To Build A Sustainable Economy For All

    The top end of the business is booming, and the grassroots sector has its champions. But is anyone thinking about the middle? This is where the biggest percentage creates and works, so why is it being ignored? After the long-running streaming debate, how can we make the creative economy work and grow sustainably for all those who work within it? Economists and music/entertainment executives look at the data, debate innovative new models and map out alternative futures.

13. 15:35 to 16:20
    Live Summit

    The Gig Economy: Recharging The Long-Term Live and Entertainment Ecosystem

    The live sector continues to adapt following profound changes brought about by Covid, Brexit and rising operating costs. At the same time, audience demand remains strong, new venues are emerging and innovation is reshaping the live experience. As artists, promoters, venues, festivals and policymakers respond to new commercial realities, how can the live ecosystem evolve to remain sustainable, accessible and internationally competitive? Industry leaders discuss the opportunities and challenges that will define the future of live music and performance and set the new direction.

    In partnership with

14. 16:20 to 16:40
    Keynote Speech

    Sophie Jones

    CEO, Royal Television Society

15. 16:40 to 17:25
    Politics x Culture Summit

    Changing The Tune: What Does Music and Entertainment Need From The Government’s ‘Turn It Up’ Plan?

    In a divided country, in a divided world, music and the creative industries are able to offer the authentic hope, vision and community that other areas can’t reach. Yet, for years, UK politics has seemed to take one of its powerhouse sectors for granted. Now, with the publication of the government’s Plan For Music, ‘Turn It Up’, could that be about to change? With a new, music-friendly PM in Andy Burnham already making pro-music moves, and economic growth on the agenda, can the relationship between politics and the creative industries enter a new, more positive phase and help make the UK the best place to make music and entertainment? A panel of politicians and creative execs look at recent pro-active regional music and entertainment investment, strategy and growth, and pinpoint the preferred priorities and new strategies for the government’s approach.

16. 16:45 to 17:30
    Keynote Interview

    Martin Goldschmidt

    Chairman and Founder, Cooking Vinyl

    In conversation with John Robb

    In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Cooking Vinyl, the Chairman and Founder Martin Goldschmidt will share his story, reflecting on an extraordinary career spanning artist management, booking agent, independent music entrepreneurship and activism. From managing Michelle Shocked to building Cooking Vinyl into one of the UK's most influential independent music companies, from Billy Bragg to The Prodigy, and from Groove Armada to The Cranberries, Goldschmidt has profoundly impacted careers across the industry. His career includes several firsts: the first Music Business course in the UK (1981), the first Artist Services deal in the UK (1993), the first online distribution company in the UK (2002), and PMX (2016), the first organisation supporting Palestinian musicians and the first music showcase festival in Palestine.

17. 17:00 to 17:30
    In Conversation

    Daudi Matsiko

    In conversation with Joe Hastings, CEO, Music Support

    In partnership with

18. From 18:00
    Networking

    The BPI Social

    From founding members

Festival showcases across MediaCity, and more to be announced.

1. All day
   The Creative Industries AI Summit

   Convened by the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham

Festival showcases across MediaCity, and more to be announced.