Beyond The Music 2026: Andy Burnham & Steve Coogan Among First Speakers at Conference

Manchester’s Beyond The Music has announced the first speakers for its upcoming edition, with U.K. prime minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham one of the key names set to appear.

The music festival and conference will take place in Salford, Greater Manchester, on October 6-9 and feature an array of figures from across the music, culture and political landscapes.

Burnham, tipped to become the U.K.’s next prime minister following the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer, will host the Global All Content AI Summit which will convene industry leaders for a day of policymaking debate for the music and creative industries. Formerly the mayor of Manchester, Burnham was recently elected as a member of parliament for Makerfield; he is now running unopposed to become the leader of the Labour party and the role of prime minister. He is likely to be confirmed in the role on July 17.

Beyond The Music will open with a special 24th anniversary screening of 24 Hour Party People, the cult classic that shows the inside story of Factory Records and starred Steve Coogan as label boss Tony Wilson. The film will be accompanied with an exclusive keynote conversation between Coogan and the film’s director, Michael Winterbottom. Factory Records was the home to Joy Division, New Order and Happy Mondays, among other influential Manchester-formed acts.

A number of summits and panels have already been confirmed, with The Art of Resistance: Creator Industry Activists Assemble discussing the need for ethical new right-holder models and change within the system, while The Music Industry Is for Sale — But Who Is Buying? reflects on the growing acquisitions of catalogues, IP and independent companies and the impact on the industry and fans.

The LIVE Trust will also host the The LIVE Summit: The Gig Economy: Recharging The Long-Term Live & Entertainment Ecosystem, which looks at a new long-term strategy for the whole ecosystem, including examining sports’ strategies for ways to better monetize music and entertainment.

Ivors Academy chair Tom Gray is also confirmed to speak, as well as influential DJ Mike Pickering and Beyond The Music’s co-founders, Sarah Pearson and Oliver Wilson, son of Tony.

Tickets and passes for the event, held at Media City complex in Salford, are available to buy here.