Beyond The Music: Unveils First Wave of Next Generation Acts

Manchester, UK - Beyond The Music, a pioneering music conference and festival dedicated to driving change within the industry, has announced the first 60 next-generation acts for its inaugural event, Beyond The Music: Discovered. Set to take place from October 11th to 14th, 2023, in the vibrant Northern Quarter of Manchester, this groundbreaking program aims to amplify the voices of diverse and inclusive artists who have often been overlooked in the music scene.

Collaborating with influential curators, including NQ Legacy and SXSW, Beyond The Music: Discovered will showcase carefully curated performances across independent music venues. The event seeks to provide a platform for emerging talents to connect with industry professionals who can nurture and elevate their careers.

One of the festival's highlights is the opportunity for aspiring artists and bands to submit their music to a panel of esteemed music industry experts led by Caroline Elleray, an A&R executive from Second Songs Publishing. Selected participants will have the chance to perform at one of the festival's anchor music venues, fostering music discovery through captivating live performances. Submissions are currently open.

Today, the first wave of genre-spanning acts for Beyond The Music: Discovered 2023 has been unveiled. Among the talented lineup is Manchester's rising singer-songwriter [K S R], hailed by Complex, Notion, and Red Bull for his soulful vocals and futuristic soundscapes. Also on the roster is Slovenian sensation July Jones, whose edgy electro pop, forward-thinking production, and honest lyrics on relationships, queerness, and mental health have earned her recognition from BBC Introducing and a coveted spot on the cover of Gay Times.

In addition, electro-punk collective Tokky Horror is set to unleash their thrash riffs, combining hyperactive old-school jungle breakbeats with squelching 303 basslines, led by vocalists Mollie Rush and Ava Akira. Scottish glam-goths Walt Disco, known for their emotionally resonant grandiose and unconventional approach to pop, have also been tipped by industry stalwarts like NME, Rough Trade, and METAL Magazine.

As part of the Discovered program, Beyond The Music has announced the 'Kick Like A Girl' showcase, a carefully curated all-female lineup to be held at Night & Day Cafe. Manchester's own Loose Articles, who contributed to the launch of Beyond The Music at SXSW in Austin earlier this year alongside New Order, will curate the stage. The band shares their commitment to showcasing female and non-binary talent, emphasizing the need to challenge existing biases within the music industry. Recent statistics reveal a glaring gender disparity, with only 11% of performers on headline festival slots being women and a mere 2% identifying as non-binary.

"Conferences like Beyond The Music provide us with a platform to showcase the incredible talent of female and non-binary musicians," states Loose Articles. "By highlighting this issue and showcasing as many talented musicians as possible, we hope to challenge existing attitudes and drive meaningful change in the way festivals are booked."

Beyond The Music stands out as the first festival and conference to implement an integrated decision-making structure, aiming to transform discussions into tangible actions. Their Co-Operative Membership program enables musicians, producers, managers, record labels, trade bodies, delegates, and music enthusiasts to actively shape the future of the global industry. By participating in Beyond The Music, each stakeholder gains a voice and a stake in the collective vision.

Early bird tickets for the highly anticipated first edition of Beyond The Music are now available at an exclusive price for a limited time, starting at £29 per day or £49 for the entire weekend. To maximize accessibility, the festival has

also introduced a Pay It Forward system, enabling aspiring music industry professionals with limited financial resources to apply for subsidized tickets.

Don't miss out on this historic gathering of music's changemakers. Secure your tickets now and join the movement at Beyond The Music: Discovered 2023. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the official website. Applications for Pay It Forward tickets are open to those seeking career advancement in the music industry.

For more information and updates join Beyond The Music HERE.