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Since its debut in 2023, Beyond The Music Festival has been a regular event in the busy city of Manchester to discuss all things music industry. From performance to production, to promotion and predictions of the future, Beyond The Music was born out of a love of the art and a need to keep it moving and grooving for many generations to come.
Fighting trials and setbacks in the UK and beyond, 2024 brought on discussions of Manchester’s growth as an industry hub, the real threat of artificial intelligence against artists and producers, and some words of encouragement from members of parliament who want to keep music alive and well in Manchester and beyond.
Wednesday
Opening the conference was a lighthearted keynote conversation between Apple Music’s Dotty and Manchester-born rapper Aitch. An artist who has been vocal about growing the northwestern city’s music scene and advocating for more resources for the industry, the viral star linked together his own rise to fame with the potential for others to have the same luck without having to spend out of pocket to travel to the capital London. Mentioning the likes of Bugzy Malone, a fellow Mancunian who reached stardom in the hip-hop world, he stressed how important it is to have everything a musician needs right at their doorstep over down at the other end of the country.
When it comes to smaller artists who have to put their own money into travelling on tour and renting studio space, Aitch encourages more record labels and recording studios to set up camp in Manchester. Music should not only thrive in the streets of London.
Thursday
As Thursday began in the conference, Mercury Prize winner Tom Gray took to the stage to give an abridged history lesson on the events of the music industry... and it was a “messy” one.
Looking at the highs and lows of the industry over the decades, Gray didn’t shy away from the downright ugly and amoral parts. Going into slight detail on the controversies of payola in radio plays, and highlighting the race and gender inequalities that existed and still exist behind the scenes, this was an enlightening talk to attend. Many may not be aware of everything that happened while music was becoming more digital and increasingly accessible around the world. Some outside of minority spaces may have been unaware of how many barriers some have to break down to just do what they’re most passionate about. Everyone learnt that history shall only be learnt from, and never repeated.
Later that morning, Co-operatives UK’s Rose Marley took hold of a talk about the grassroots side of the industry. In hopes of recognising where help is needed and how their goals can be reached, with people representing the likes of Music Venue Trust, Warner and BPI pitching in their ideas to come to a consensus.
The grassroots scene is vital to the music industry altogether; no one picks up a guitar and instantly becomes an arena-selling superstar without some work underground. Discussing how to expand the scene, touching upon the repeated conversation of putting more money into grassroots venues in the city and around the country, and how to make live music more accessible for disabled fans, it felt like an overdue sit-down and discussion. Since COVID, grassroots music has been suffering and venues have been shutting their doors left and right. If the doors are kept open, and people are walking through, then there is a chance.
Given the time for a last-minute talk to the conference due to cancelling an appearance earlier in the day, Manchester mayor Andy Burnham addressed Beyond The Music.
Bringing together serious and humorous talking points, including referencing the world-shaking Oasis reunion, Burnham was there to talk about what he and Manchester City Council are working towards to allow the city’s music to continue thriving.
One of Burnham’s best received talking points was surrounding his still commencing Bee Network: Greater Manchester’s private transport organisation that is taking over the city’s bus and tram networks, with plans to take on train lines. Receiving a round of applause following his mention of the recently opened Co-op Live Arena and the return and expansion of Manchester’s night bus services, Burnham has shown to have gained his people’s trust and support as he has shown his own for them back.
Friday
As Friday commences and everyone prepares for the last day of talks, one of the most important discussions opens on the floor: the use of artificial intelligence in music and how it should be regulated.
A hot topic in all fields and industries as its popularity grows, artificial intelligence (AI) has been recognised as a greatly useful and easily accessible tool. However, as found from this talk and chatter in the years beforehand, there’s very few regulations and very vague laws in the UK and beyond. Compared to legislation which is being discussed in the United States, the UK’s lawful restriction on AI in businesses is ambiguous and still open to unethical use. Now that musicians are having their voices copied by this software, being used to produce songs they have no ownership or knowledge of, the industry’s biggest names are coming together to ask for just one thing: protection.
Speaking in tribute of Manchester music legend Tony Wilson, the newly appointed Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy gives both a personal speech about the importance of the city's music scene and an open Q&A about how the government can offer more for the industry in the entirety of the UK.
Wilson, a man who helped form Manchester's legendary status as founder of the Hacienda nightclub and co-founder of Factory Records, is synonymous with Manchester himself. Over 17 years since his passing, the city still thrives as it did in Wilson's heyday and Nandy - someone who witnessed his effect firsthand as a Manchester-born citizen - feels it's right to keep his legacy alive as long as possible.
When being asked about how the government can bring security to the music and entertainment industry, especially in underfunded areas such as in education, Nandy promised to fulfil her duties to the best of her abilities. Only time will tell if she can put the money where her mouth is, but if this is true, then Manchester will be singing their song for the rest of eternity.
Nearing the end of the festival is the discussion on what the future of music holds and what everyone in the industry can do to guarantee its longevity and its development in the right ways.
Music is more than the voice that sings the lyrics and the hands that strum the guitar chords. As the world turns and time goes by, music should catch up with everything and everyone else. With mention of the grassroots scene and how to keep that alive to bring artists into the bigger and louder spaces, and how technology can be harnessed to allow for new feats to be reached, the future’s brighter than it once was. Live music should be improved to allow for more accessibility. Smaller artists should utilise the tools available at their fingertips. Before anyone knows it, the 2030s and 40s will be coming along and the trends no one can think of will be rocking and rolling through the airwaves.
It's only a matter of time.
Words: Jo Cosgrove
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