BRITs Fringe
Harnessing the power and profile of The BRIT Awards to spotlight Manchester’s dynamic music scene.
In February 2026, we delivered the first chapter of BRITs Fringe – a two-year impact 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) we've been working with a steering group of Greater Manchester creatives and music professionals to make sure the programme is rooted in the city’s music scenes.
Working together, we want to:
- Amplify Manchester’s unique voice and creative spirit
- Support the next generation of talent, and connect local artists and communities to national industry platforms
- Demonstrate and develop a values-led, connected and future-facing music ecosystem
“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
The Story So Far
First Steps
150 young creatives took part in our First Steps events across three days at Band on the Wall, Manchester Metropolitan University, and the Royal Northern College of Music.
These sessions were designed to inspire, upskill and empower the next generation of Manchester’s music talent, with a focus on songwriting, audience development and releasing music.
FRINGE LAB
700 emerging artists and music professionals joined us at New Century for FRINGE LAB – a day of bold talks, hands-on workshops, immersive masterclasses and high-energy discussions.
Next Showcase
Following FRINGE LAB, we transformed the venue for our Next Showcase, featuring performances from four rising Manchester artists: Meduulla, Nxdia, Chloe Slater and Third Kulture.
Industry Access
We facilitated an industry Q&A and backstage tour of The BRIT Awards rehearsals for students from One Education’s East Manchester Academy Music Centre – offering a rare behind-the-scenes insight into a world-class live event.
Partnerships and Projects
We collaborated with a range of partners across the city, including Reform Radio, the British Pop Archive at John Rylands Library and Research Institute, and North Manchester Housing Association, supporting a series of events and creative projects.
Access to The BRIT Awards
Working with Manchester City Council, we were proud to offer around 650 young people from Manchester free tickets to attend The BRIT Awards – opening up access to one of the UK’s most high-profile music events.
Next Steps
2026 marked a year of seeding ideas – building relationships, testing approaches and laying the foundations for a programme we will continue to grow into 2027 and beyond.
For more information about BRITs Fringe, please email [email protected] or follow us on social media to stay up to date with future activity.
Supporters & Partners
BRITs Fringe is delivered by Brighter Sound in collaboration with Manchester Music City and supported by Manchester City Council, GMCA and the Manchester Accommodation BID.
Thank you to our 2026 steering group:
AFRODEUTSCHE, Adele Tondu (Reform Radio), Jenna G, Karen Gabay, Katherine Cantwell (Heavenly Recordings), Kirsty Fairclough (School of Digital Arts), Olivia Lee (FREEQUENCY3), Tom Clarke (Sharp Project), Tunde Adekoya (See My World).
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.
Photos by Ingrid Turner, Alice Kanako, WEDGE COLLECTIVE and Rebecca Oliver.
“It gave me an insight into a world that was previously viewed as out of reach.”
BRITs Fringe 2026 attendee
