Beyond The Music (BTM) will once again take over Manchester later this year for the second year of the new music festival and conferenceand the full lineup has now been released.
Providing a spotlight for up-and-coming artists as well as addressing some of the most demanding issues in the music and content industry today, it’s much more than just a live festival.
BTM has announced the second wave of artists for their lineup this Fall and it’s looking incredible. From DJs to solo artists and bands, this festival has it all with a huge selection of genres to choose from,
Some of the new artists set to play across the Northern Quarter this October feature Aussie indie rock band The Vanns, Riya, Alien Chicks, Zola Courtney, Coults, Jaws the Shark, Human Interest, local singer-songwriter Renee Stormz and more. There’s something for everyone
Credit: Beyond The Music (supplied)
One thing that sets this festival apart from the rest is that the organisers prioritise curating a line-up with new talent, as opposed to huge headliners. This provides a platform for the artists to be seen and get the recognition they deserve.
Over 200 artists have been announced across the jam-packed three nights, with performances spread across thirteen venues around Manchester around NQ.
This year’s venues include:
Off The Square.
33 Oldham St
Peer Hat
Aatma.
Castle.
Gullivers
Band On The Wall Bar
Soup
Disorder
Matt ans Phreds
Night and Day Cafe
Stage and Radio.
Ramona
You can view the full Beyond The Music lineup for 2024, a complete list of festival partners and more down below:
As the name would suggest, it’s about much more than just the tunes.
Beyond The Music will open up the floor for honest and revealing conversations about the experiences of marginalisation within the music industry.
The festival will be holding a conference at Aviva Studios – home of Factory International – including talks with the likes of the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess.
This isn’t just a celebration of the Manc music scene: these figures are hoping to come together and discuss important matters within the industry and wider entertainment culture.
A slate of expert speakers also help make up the eye-catching Beyond The Music 2024 lineup.
Better still, access to the festival is now more affordable than ever. A standard Delegate Pass (including conference and festival access) is priced at £170, a single-day ticket is only £20, and a full three-day pass can be purchased from just £40.
Set to take place from 9-12 October, you can purchase yours HERE.
We can’t wait to discover some new talent – see you there!
Kaiser Chiefs continue debut album’s 20th anniversary celebrations with more tour dates
Danny Jones
Northern music veterans Kaiser Chiefs are set to continue the celebrations of their debut album’s 20th anniversary with even more milestone tour dates next year.
It’s hard to believe it’s been two decades since their very first LP, Employment, was first released, just before the onslaught of indie landfill took over the UK and beyond back in the 200s, but it really has been that long.
2025 has seen the beloved Yorkshire band rolling back the years and playing all the hits from the seminal debut record, and since the scenes at Glastonbury, Kendal Calling, Tramlines, Latitude and more have been such good vibes, they’ve decided to keep the party going even longer.
Announcing further tour dates next February, the Leeds legends will be heading back on the road before you know it and playing all of the hits.
Confirming a dozen new live shows, the noughties hit-makers behind ‘I Predict A Riot’, ‘Ruby’, ‘Oh My God’ and many more will be heading to Manchester for just the second stop on their upcoming tour.
Heading to O2 Victoria Warehouse on Saturday, 14 February, the ever-familiar British five-piece haven’t yet announced a hometown gig.
That being said, we have a feeling you can expect something extra special – perhaps a Temple Newsam 2.0 – to be revealed for them not too far down the line.
Speaking on the tour extension, frontman Ricky Wilson said: “This summer, we played a load of shows to mark the release of our debut album, Employment. It went well. Probably better than our first summer 20 years ago.
“It was the year after that first year that things really took off, so we hope you will join us in February to help celebrate with us ‘the year it really took off’.
“If you were with us the first time, or unfortunately missed out due to other commitments, we hope you will join us for a joyous lap of honour. (Plus, I spent quite a bit on a new blazer and want to get my money’s worth)”.
NEW: @kaiserchiefs NEW: Kaiser Chiefs are heading on the 'MORE Employment' tour, playing their debut album in full plus their greatest hits at #O2VictoriaWarehouseManchester on Sat 14 Feb!
— O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester (@O2VicWarehouse) August 15, 2025
Our Audio North followers will be glad to hear that there a plenty of gigs taking place up at the top end of the country, and you can see the full list of ‘More Employment‘ shows down below.
Kaiser Chiefs’ 2026 UK tour dates:
13 Fri – Bradford, Live
14 Sat – Manchester, O2 Victoria Warehouse
15 Sun – Stockton, Globe
17 Tue – Dundee, Live House
18 Wed – Glasgow, Barrowland
20 Fri – London, Eventim Apollo
21 Sat – Hull, Connexin Live
23 Mon – Norwich, UEA
24 Tue – Swansea, Building Society Arena
26 Thu – Bournemouth, International Centre
27 Fri – Cambridge, Corn Exchange
28 Sat – Wolverhampton, The Halls
Tickets for the Kaiser Chiefs’ show here in Manchester, as well as all other nights live on Friday, 22 August from 9am; you can get ready to grab yours HERE.
We’ll see you there.
And until then, why not see what the lads had to say to our friends over at The Hoot when we interviewed them back in May?…
Featured Images — Cal McIntyre (supplied)/press shots/The Manc Group
Audio
Manchester Pride announces Nelly Furtado as surprise headliner
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Pride has just dropped another huge headliner for this year’s festival – and it’s only global pop superstar Nelly Furtado.
The huge LGBTQ+ festival, celebration and protest had kept its final headliner under wraps for months, but has today announced the Maneater star will be joining the line-up for 2025.
Nelly Furtado will co-headline Manchester Pride alongside Olly Alexander, with tickets for both the Gay Village Party and Mardi Gras already on sale.
Also announced on the line-up today are DJ Paulette and Moonchild Sanelly.
Manchester Pride 2025 will take place from Friday 22 to Monday 25 August, with four days of live music, celebrations, the parade, parties, and the candlelit vigil.
Already-announced headliners include Olly Alexander, Leigh-Anne, Billy Porter, and Tulisa, alongside loads more queer artists.
Nelly Furtado is known for her anthems like Maneater, Promiscuous and I’m Like A Bird, and will bring Mardi Gras to an uplifting, powerful end on Sunday 24 August.
Homegrown legend DJ Paulette will also join the Sunday Mardi Gras line-up, along with South African trailblazer Moonchild Sanelly on Friday at the Gay Village Party.
Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride, said: “Welcoming an Icon like Nelly Furtado alongside DJ Paulette and Moonchild Sanelly further showcases the diversity of musical tastes that we’re catering for. They’re each sure to create some unforgettable moments.
“Manchester Pride 2025 will be bold, brilliant, and bursting with Pride energy, but it’s at a tipping point.
“Pride can only thrive if our community shows up: by attending events, joining the Parade, and buying supporter bands.
“We’ve seen what happens when we don’t rally together, and we cannot let that happen in our City. This is the moment to stand up, come together, party as a protest and ensure Pride continues to shine long into the future.”
For full-day line-ups and more information on Manchester Pride 2025, download the Manchester Pride app.
Emily Johnson -
9th August 2024 
