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Our Story

We're Brighter Sound, a music development organisation rooted in Manchester and open to the world.

We've been creating transformative experiences for young creatives, emerging artists and up-and-coming music professionals for nearly 25 years.

We pioneer new ways of exploring creative potential. Our projects are a safe space for artists to take risks, connect and collaborate, and develop skills and confidence. Our events are opportunities for audiences to discover the cutting edge of the North’s creative talent.

Equalising opportunity is in our DNA. At the heart of everything we do is our commitment to helping create a fairer music world. One where every voice is heard, every community served. Because we think the power of creativity belongs to everyone.

“It’s the sort of opportunity that decides a career, turns on a light … the kind of opportunity that can give someone the boost they need for stepping into the next generation of British music.”

Bethan, residency participant

What We Do

We produce creative projects, residencies, commissions, training and events that support people to carve their own unique path in music.

We draw on our huge network of partners, industry contacts and established artists to help us do this - whether it’s trading bars with Kendrick Lamar or running a record label that champions women and people of marginalised genders.

We’re proud of our Northern roots, and so we spread them far and wide – from co-creating global exchange programmes to representing our home city on the world stage as sector lead for Manchester Music City.

See our Past Projects
A large crowd are watching a performance in an open space with drummers, dancers and a flag.

Our Initiatives

We deliver change-making initiatives with partners on our doorstep, and across the world.

  • A young artist stands on stage performing with a microphone in hand. In the background is a band and some twinkling fairy lights.

    WE, THE LEADERS

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  • A large audience at a Flaming Lips concert at the Manchester Academy. Confetti, balloons and smoke fill the air. A lot of people have their hands in the air.

    Manchester Music City

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  • A group of people stand under strobe projections from the ceiling. The projections are making different shapes on the floor. Some people are looking up at the ceiling.

    All Things Equal

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  • Two young musicians on stage playing guitar and smiling.

    Reaching Out

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Our Community

Explore the creative journeys of some of the brilliant people we've worked with over the years.

  • Princess Arinola (B!TEZ) stands on a Manchester street. She is looking directly into the camera.

    Story

    30 October 2023

    Spotlight on B!TEZ

    From participant to commissioned artist.

    Read More
  • CHAINES (Cee Haines) stands on a Manchester street. They are looking directly into the camera with a smile.

    Story

    29 November 2023

    Spotlight on CHAINES

    Their experience has been about community, not competition.

    Read More
  • is33n (pronounced i-seen) stands on a Manchester street. They are looking straight into the camera.

    Story

    28 May 2024

    Spotlight on is33n

    is33n's artistic identity and finding their own path in music.

    Read More
  • Tom Rabbani stands on a Manchester street. He is looking straight into the camera with smile.

    Story

    10 November 2022

    Spotlight on Tom

    Artist and young leader Tom wants to be a role model for future generations.

    Read More
  • Chesqua stands on a Manchester street. She is looking straight into the camera with a beaming smile.

    Story

    21 November 2022

    Spotlight on Chesqua

    Artist and facilitator Chesqua's journey has come full circle over the last 12 years.

    Read More
See everything in The Feed

Our Team

Like you, everyone at Brighter Sound has a passion for music. We use that passion to develop the music creators, leaders and industry professionals of the future.

  • Kate smiles at the camera. Kate is wearing a blue t-shirt and khaki coat whilst standing in front of a yellow brick wall.

    Kate Lowes

    Director
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  • Andrea is wearing a blue coat and is smiling at the camera. Andrea stands in front of green and pink shutters.

    Andrea Ahimie-Carthy

    Project Coordinator
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  • Kinaya smiles at the camera and wears an Adidas jacket and purple scarf. Kinaya is standing in front of a white background.

    Kinaya Said Ibrahim

    Project Manager
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  • Rebecca is a white woman in her mid 30s. She has dark mid-length hair with a fringe. Her lipstick is a very bright shade of pink.

    Rebecca Horn

    Head of Marketing and Communications
    Read More
  • Issy smiles at the camera whilst wearing a yellow coat and purple patterned scarf.

    Issy Patience

    Operations Manager
    Read More
  • Jonas smiles at the camera and is wearing a green coat.

    Jonas Roberts

    Freelance Producer (New Music Biennial)
    Read More
  • Tim is smiling, wearing a red coat and standing in front of green trees and bushes.

    Tim Chatterton

    Project Manager
    Read More
  • Joe smiles at the camera and is wearing a grey coat.

    Joe Clegg Prada

    Marketing and Communications Officer
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  • Lucy stands against a brick wall on a sunny street in Manchester. She is smiling and look directly at the camera. She has mid-length curly brown hair and is wearing denim dungarees.

    Lucy Wallace

    Senior Programme Manager
    Read More
See everyone in Our Team

Artists and Collaborators

From hip hop icons to some of the most exciting names in experimental music, we’ve been lucky to work with some truly inspirational artists and collaborators.

  • Wu-Lu

    WU-Lu stood in a bare room with light green walls looking into the camera with his head cocked.
    Read more
  • Karen Nyame KG

    Karen Nyame KG dressed in black with a loose gold choker necklace made from beads, and bracelet. One hand is over her chest as she stares off pensively into the distance.
    Read more
  • Nubya Garcia

    Nubya is wearing a wearing a blue patterned blazer and has gold details in their plait. Nubya looks directly at the camera and is standing in front of a blue tie dye background.
    Read more
  • I. JORDAN

    I. JORDANlooking at the camera in a green coat standing in front of trees.
    Read more
  • Anna Meredith

    Anna Meredith stood in the centre looking up towards something unseen. The background is a mixture of blues and purples that seep behind and in front of Anna, transitioning to warm reds, oranges and yellows on her torso.
    Read more
  • Field Music

    Field Music in black coats looking pensive. They are in an indoor market surrounded by products, bright neon signs and shutters.
    Read more
  • ESKA

    Read more
  • Everything Everything

    Everything Everything in a row stood against a stone wall looking at the camera with a marble statue in the middle of them.
    Read more
See all Artists and Collaborators

Do you share our passion?

We couldn’t do what we do without our brilliant network of local and international partners. And we’re always open to working with new people and organisations.

Get in touch
© 2025 Brighter Sound
All Rights Reserved
Registered Company: 05100495
Registered Charity: 1154803
Site by Studio Treble
Brand by Bert

Contact

0161 546 5334[email protected]

First Floor, Green Fish Resource Centre
46-50 Oldham Street
Manchester
M4 1LE

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