A new global music conference backed by New Order has revealed its programme details and released its first wave of tickets for its inaugural edition being held in Manchester later this year.
Timed to coincide with a launch show held at SXSW festival in Texas last night, which saw New Order kick off proceedings, Beyond The Music, also arranged for a series of specially commissioned visual artworks by students at Manchester’s School of Digital Arts (SODA) to light up Austin in Texas to mark the occasion and herald a new era for the music industry.
Support for the launch event came from Manchester Avant-pop rockers The Orielles and post-punk quartet Loose Articles. Both supporting acts were supported to attend SXSW by GMCA (Greater Manchester Combined Authority) and were selected by the Greater Manchester Music Commission and Manchester Music Cities Network.
Read more: New Manchester music conference backed by New Order to be held in the city
Beyond the Music is the brainchild of Oli Wilson, son of Tony Wilson, owner of the legendary label Factory Records, and is programmed around the key issues facing the music industry today, but will also celebrate the opportunities in the "new cultural economy". The inaugural event will take place in Manchester from 11-14 October.
Earlier in the day, Beyond The Music hosted a panel at the UK House, featuring founder Oli Wilson, co founder Sarah Pearson, and Chair Rose Marley, alongside the Mayor of Greater Manchester, UK, Andy Burnham. The four discussed why now is the time for Manchester to launch an international music festival and conference and how the hybrid will be different from other events.
At the heart of Beyond The Music will be four days of live music from new and established artists, alongside a series of conferences exploring 'The Past, The Present, The Future and The Summit'. New details revealed today include a 'Skyline Series', which will see three unique shows from the rooftops of Manchester, and 'Curated', consisting of exclusive performances from established music names across ten venues in Manchester’s Northern Quarter and city centre.
Also announced today, the Beyond The Music Discovered programme will offer new artists and bands- the opportunity to submit their music to a panel of music industry experts, led by A&R executive Caroline Elleray of Second Songs Publishing. It will also give them the chance to perform at one of the festival’s main music venues in Manchester city centre.
Beyond The Music’s co founder, Sarah Pearson said: "“The industry has seen a decline from £5.8 billion in 2019 to £3.1 billion in 2021. The economy of the music business has been severely challenged by the pandemic, exit from the European Union and the development of new technology, and coupled with the evolution of the cultural economy it is forcing us to examine current infrastructure and models that have existed in the industry for years - are they fit for purpose for now?
“It is incumbent on us to look at the ethical practices of the business, which need root and branch reform. We need to change the very nature of how we live and breathe as an industry, putting artists and musicians first. Beyond The Music is a response to a need for evolution and innovation.
“We haven’t scratched the surface of the true value of this cultural powerhouse. Music is the most shared art form in the world, it’s how we communicate across borders, how we build relationships, it’s democratic and it’s egalitarian. Music defines people’s lives, gives pleasure and eases pain. It’s important to all of us, so the very foundation upon which it’s built should be too.”
The music conference in Manchester in October will also aim to address the "unprecedented and urgent challenges" facing the industry, whilst also producing new models for the future. Beyond The Music co-founder Oli Wilson said: "It’s a pivotal time in the history of the music industry and for Manchester, so it’s only right the two are coming together again to decide what the future is going to look like.
"Building on our civic traditions of innovation and cooperation we are creating a forum for the music industry to shape its future in the new cultural economy, and delivering a new music festival that will realign Manchester as the global capital of music."
First wave tickets for the first edition of Beyond The Music have gone on sale today, at an exclusive price for a limited time at £30 per day or £90 for three days for festival goers, and £200 for conference and festival delegate passes. The festival has also launched a Pay It Forward option in order to maximise accessibility for those facing financial difficulties.
Beyond The Music has also announced its Co-Operative Membership programme, which will allow everyone from musicians, producers, managers, record labels, and trade bodies, through to delegates and gig lovers to have their say in the future of the global industry.
“Beyond the Music is owned by the people and organisations it matters to most.” explains BTM Chair, Rose Marley. “By forming as a co-operative it means that whether we’re discussing which venues we need to be in next year or the status of mental health across the content creation sectors, the relevant people get their voices heard.
“It's where content meets tech meets social reform and leads the world in innovation. From the unions and suffragettes to building the first computer and discovering graphene, it's what we’ve always done.”
The festival has also outlined three social initiatives to support the growth of the music industry in Greater Manchester and beyond.
BTM Legacy will partner with music companies to fund and support young people into careers in music, while 'Live Live' aims to increase diverse music audiences, footfall and income with a support system for grassroots venues outside of Manchester city centre, and 'Access All Areas' is part of an education programme, working with Manchester schools, colleges, universities and arts organisations to boost interest in music based careers and provide a corridor between education and employment.
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