BRITs Fringe
Harnessing the power and profile of The BRIT Awards to spotlight Manchester’s dynamic music scene.
Created to amplify and extend the impact of the BRITs in Manchester, BRITs Fringe celebrates the region's rich musical heritage, its vibrant contemporary scene and the next generation shaping the future of UK music.
Under the banner 'Manchester Seen and Heard', BRITs Fringe is about amplifying grassroots creativity, elevating local voices and connecting emerging talent with the wider music industry.
Delivered by Brighter Sound in collaboration with Manchester Music City and supported by Manchester City Council, GMCA and the Manchester Accommodation BID - BRITs Fringe shines a spotlight on Manchester’s dynamic music scene through an exciting programme of events.
For February 2026 there will be four key strands. These form part of a wider two-year programme of activity to celebrate the BRIT Awards coming to Manchester.
1. FRINGE LAB
FRINGE LAB is a one-day creative music industry event and live showcase taking place at New Century on Friday 27 February, the day before the BRITs.
From 10am-5pm FRINGE LAB will bring together emerging artists, music professionals and creatives for a day of bold talks, hands-on workshops, immersive masterclasses and high-energy discussions.
Tickets for the daytime event are now sold out - click here to join the waiting list and find out more about what's happening during the day.
From 7pm, join us for a live public showcase spotlighting four of Manchester’s potential future BRIT Award winners - Chloe Slater, Meduulla, Nxdia and Third Kulture.
Tickets for the showcase are on sale now
2. First Steps
In the days leading up to the awards, we’ll deliver three targeted workshops for young learners aged 16-25, designed to inspire, upskill and empower the next generation of Manchester’s music talent.
- First Steps into Songwriting - Monday 23 February at Band on the Wall, in partnership with The Manchester College
- First Steps into Building An Audience - Wednesday 25 February at The Holden Gallery, in partnership with the School of Digital Arts at Manchester Metropolitan University
- First Steps into Selling Your Music - Thursday 26 February at the Royal Northern College of Music
Topics have been shaped in collaboration with partners from further, higher and alternative education providers across the city, responding directly to current needs within the sector.
Limited places are available now
3. Schools Collaboration
A collaborative project with Manchester's music education service One Education will take BRITs Fringe into schools, further encouraging early musical engagement and nurturing creativity at every level.
4. Partnership Projects
We know there’s already incredible work happening across the city, so we're proud to be celebrating and supporting existing initiatives too.
Our 2026 partnership project highlights Reform Radio’s Soundcamp - a Manchester-born talent discovery and mentorship programme that supports eight grassroots Manchester-based artists on a structured development journey.
Over six months, participants grow their skills, expand their networks, and build their industry knowledge, culminating in two live showcase events in London and Manchester.
Tickets are on sale now:
Wednesday 25 February at The Blues Kitchen in Brixton
Thursday 26 February at The Blues Kitchen in Manchester
Our Approach
Grounded in collaboration, BRITs Fringe brings together local and national partners to help create meaningful, long-term impact.
Alongside the BPI (who deliver The BRIT Awards) we're working closely with a steering group of Greater Manchester creatives and music professionals - including representatives from the Manchester Music City network and the Greater Manchester Music Commission - to ensure the programme remains rooted in the city’s music scenes.
Thank you to our steering group:
Afrodeutsche, Adele Tondu (Reform Radio), Jenna G, Karen Gabay, Katherine Cantwell (Heavenly Recordings), Kirsty Fairclough (School of Digital Arts), Olivia Lee (FREEQUENCY3), and Tom Clarke (Sharp Project).
Thank you to our education partners:
Access Creative College, BIMM, Chetham's School of Music, dBS Institute, Low Four Studio, One Education, Royal Northern College of Music, School of Digital Arts at Manchester Metropolitan University, Spirit Studios, The Manchester College, TiPP, University of Manchester, and the University of Salford.
For more information about BRITs Fringe please email info@brightersound.com or follow us on social media to keep up-to-date with the latest announcements.
"We’re incredibly proud to be delivering the very first BRITs Fringe, and it feels especially fitting that it’s happening in Manchester – known for its long history of being a true 'city of firsts'. We're also delighted to be working with a steering group of incredible Greater Manchester creatives and music professionals from the Manchester Music City network and the Greater Manchester Music Commission to ensure the BRITs Fringe is rooted in local scenes."
Kate Lowes, Director at Brighter Sound
About Brighter Sound
Brighter Sound is an award-winning music development charity based in Manchester, with 25 years of experience creating fairer pathways into music. Working across all genres and areas of the music sector – from community-rooted projects to international exchange – we support young creatives, emerging artists, and music professionals through creative and career development programmes, events, and advocacy that tackle inequality and strengthen grassroots music.
As the lead organisation for Manchester Music City, a city-wide partnership, we also provide strategic leadership for music development in the city, supporting the long-term sustainability and resilience of Manchester’s music sector.
