BRITs Fringe
Harnessing the power and profile of The BRIT Awards to spotlight Manchester’s dynamic music scene.
In February 2026, the first chapter of BRITs Fringe launched – a two-year programme running alongside The BRIT Awards as the ceremony makes its home in Manchester across 2026 and 2027.
Alongside the BPI, who deliver The BRIT Awards, a steering group of Greater Manchester creatives and music professionals is helping to keep the programme rooted in the city’s music scenes.
Together, we’re here to:
- Put Manchester’s unique voice and creative spirit centre stage
- Back the next generation of talent and connect local artists and communities to national industry platforms
- Build a values-led, connected and future-facing music ecosystem
The Story So Far
The first chapter of BRITs Fringe connected Manchester’s music community with the national industry, creating opportunities for young creatives, emerging artists and music professionals to learn, connect and take their next steps.
First Steps
In the week leading up to The BRIT Awards, 150 young creatives built practical skills and industry knowledge across songwriting, audience development and releasing music through the First Steps programme.
Across three days at Band on the Wall, Manchester Metropolitan University and the Royal Northern College of Music, participants gained new insight into the music industry, made connections and explored what their next steps in music could look like.
“I went to bed proud to be a Manchester artist and inspired to give myself more permission to create. In an industry that can feel so hard to navigate and break through, Brighter Sound constantly restores my faith in change, evolution and holding space for those conversations!”
BRITs Fringe 2026 attendee
FRINGE LAB
700 emerging artists and music professionals joined FRINGE LAB at New Century – a day of talks, workshops, masterclasses and conversations with artists and industry leaders.
Låpsley, Daley, Zed Bias, Donae’o and The Lottery Winners were among the artists sharing their experiences, alongside industry voices from Sony Music, Island Records, AWAL, AIM, Sentric Music and BPI.
A music industry mixer, delivered in partnership with Un-Convention, gave artists and music professionals the chance to meet, exchange ideas and make new connections.
Next Showcase
Four artists shaping Manchester’s sound right now – Meduulla, Nxdia, Chloe Slater and Third Kulture – took centre stage at New Century Hall.
Following FRINGE LAB, the showcase brought emerging Manchester artists together with new audiences and industry, creating a platform to build profile, make connections and showcase their work at a moment when the eyes of the music industry were on Manchester.
Nxdia
Chloe Slater
Third Kulture
Meduulla
Ethan Hill performing with Meduulla
FREEQUENCY3 hosting the Next Showcase
Industry Access
Students from One Education’s East Manchester Academy Music Centre went behind the scenes at The BRIT Awards, joining an industry Q&A and backstage tour of rehearsals.
The experience offered a rare insight into the people, skills and creative work behind one of the UK’s biggest music events.
Partnerships and Projects
BRITs Fringe connected with communities across the city through partnerships with organisations including Reform Radio, the British Pop Archive at John Rylands Library and Research Institute, and North Manchester Housing Association.
These partnerships supported a range of events and creative projects, creating different ways for people to engage with the programme.
Access to The BRIT Awards
Around 650 young people from Manchester experienced The BRIT Awards first-hand through free tickets made available by Manchester City Council – opening up access to one of the UK’s most high-profile music events.
“It gave me an insight into a world that was previously viewed as out of reach.”
BRITs Fringe 2026 attendee
Coming soon
We’re now looking ahead to BRITs Fringe 2027, exploring how to build on the connections, ideas and opportunities created through the first chapter.
Sign up to our mailing list to hear about BRITs Fringe 2027 and future opportunities, events and announcements.
Supporters & Partners
BRITs Fringe is delivered by Brighter Sound in collaboration with Manchester Music City. Supported by Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Manchester Accommodation BID.
Thank you to our 2026 steering group:
AFRODEUTSCHE, Adele Tondu, Jenna G, Karen Gabay, Katherine Cantwell (Heavenly Recordings), Kirsty Fairclough (School of Digital Arts at Manchester Metropolitan University), Olivia Lee (FREEQUENCY3), Tom Clarke (SharpFutures) and Tunde Adekoya (See My World).
Photos by Ingrid Turner, Alice Kanako Reid, WEDGE COLLECTIVE, Rebecca Oliver. Videos by Triple Dot Makers, Rebecca Oliver, WEDGE COLLECTIVE.
