Beyond The Music 2026: ten standout sets from NME’s Salford round-up
NME selected ten memorable performances from the 2026 edition of Beyond The Music, which took place at Salford’s MediaCity. The Manchester industry showcase and conference moved from the Northern Quarter for its third year and named stages after former local venues. The round-up included acts such as Bawo, Cutscene and Dead Stilettos.
Beyond The Music’s third edition shifted from Manchester’s Northern Quarter to Salford’s MediaCity. Its stages carried names of former local venues, linking the showcase’s forward-looking panels and performances to the city’s musical history.
NME’s round-up covered ten sets, including London rapper-singer Bawo, post-punk four-piece Cutscene, punk five-piece Dead Stilettos, local four-piece Holly Head, former criminology teacher JayaHadADream and Kofi Stone. The event mixed emerging acts with industry discussion.
By relocating to Salford’s MediaCity and naming stages after lost Manchester venues, Beyond The Music may strengthen local cultural ties and draw attention to Salford as a music destination. Emerging artists like those in NME’s round-up could gain wider audiences, industry connections, and career momentum. Audiences and nearby businesses may benefit from increased foot traffic, while the event’s panels could shape conversations around music’s future.