One of Manchester’s newest and most exciting festivals, Beyond The Music, is set to return for its second instalment later this year and the first raft of artists has just been announced.
BTM is a multi-venue live music festival and fundamentally global music conference that spotlights new up-and-coming artists, grassroots gig spaces, as well as key voices in the industry, with an at changing the face of the modern music landscape.
Having first launched in 2023, much of their flagship Manc music festival and conference still felt somewhat like a work in progress, but with the inaugural weekend now under the bag and plenty of time and experience to build upon, year two is looking promising already.
Announcing Aviva Studios as the main hub for this year’s festival, along with a number of beloved Northern Quarter venues this week, you can find the first wave of artists set to play Beyond The Music 2024 down below:
Credit: Supplied
Taking place from 9-12 October, they have already confirmed 70 artists and 20 different stage partners (BBC Introducing, Clash and Unity Radio just to name a few) who will serve as ‘tastemakers’ alongside the multiple venues helping put on what is, without doubt, one of the UK’s most diverse live showcases.
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Set to platform over 200 artists when the full lineup is confirmed, this is one of the best ways for any budding musical talent based in and around Greater Manchester to try and find a platform, with plenty of out-of-towners sure to join too.
On the conference side of things, under the title, ‘Is It Time For The Music Industry’s Great Rest?’, the groundbreaking look at the inner workings of the music industry will centre around Aviva Studios as already mentioned, with new-look summits and talks programme available to all attendees.
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The hope is not just to make this an even bigger and better music festival than last year but to create a unique and global music forum to find solutions to the most pressing issues within the sector. They already made a decent start on it in 2023.
Commenting on its return, festival partners Clash said of the event, “There is hope and we felt it in Manchester… the beginning of something incredibly special”, and Hunger Magazine added, “It could be the spark that sets the scene alight. Manchester is already a centre of creativity, but the extra push could see it become the centre of the musical universe” – as if it wasn’t already.
To sweeten the deal even more, there’ll be a whole host of afterparties following the horde of gigs being held over the weekend and if you sign up for pre-sale, not only do you get a discount on your entry fee but you’ll also be entered into a prize draw, with drinks vouchers and upgrades up for grabs.
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Pre-sale for Beyond The Music 2024 is already live and tickets are now more affordable than ever before, with a standard Delegate Pass (including full festival access) priced at £170, a one-day festival ticket costing only £20 and a full weekend pass to enjoy all three days of music setting you back just £45.
Oasis’ Wonderwall on the brink of becoming UK number one for first time ever 30 years after initial release
Emily Sergeant
Could Wonderwall FINALLY become UK number one for the first time ever?
England may no longer be in the running to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being knocked out in the Semi Finals by Argentina, who claimed a 2-1 win when the two teams faced off in Atlanta on Wednesday night (15 July), but it looks like that hasn’t harmed Wonderwall’s trajectory to the top of the Official UK Charts.
Oasis’ most-streamed song of all time – and arguably their most famous – is currently sitting right at the top of Spotify’s Global charts, meaning it is in the race to become the official UK number one later today.
Despite the fact it never reached number one when it was first released back in 1996 as part of the band’s second studio album, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, the song has always had such cultural significance here in Manchester.
But after being adopted by the fans of the England men’s national football team during this World Cup, and belted out after every Three Lions victory this tournament, the song has taken on a whole new life.
Wonderwall was described at the time by the band’s lead guitarist and songwriter, Noel Gallagher, as being about ‘an imaginary friend who’s gonna come and save you from yourself’ – with the song’s title inspired by George Harrison’s solo album Wonderwall Music.
Sure, it has nothing to do with football (but neither did Sweet Caroline, let’s be real), but it’s an absolute anthem and one that’s become a symbol this year for the belief that football may have just been coming home after 60 years.
Win or lose, Wonderwall remains.
Unfortunately, while Wonderwall is in pole position as it stands, it’s up against some fierce footballing competition with the likes of Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds’ enduring anthem, Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home), hot on its heals.
Standing between both of them – and chart glory – is, of course, Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s record-breaking duet, Rein Me In, which looks to retain the top spot as it eyes a 17th non-consecutive week at the summit.
It’s also expected that The Beatles’ iconic 1968 hit, Hey Jude, will also find its way into the Top 40 in honour of the tournament’s star player Jude Bellingham.
So, will Wonderwall reign supreme then? Will the Gallagher brothers have another reason to celebrate tonight after the success of last year’s historic Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour? We’ll have to wait and see.
You can tune into the Official Chart Show on BBC Radio 1 from 4pm today.
JD to host exclusive Josh Baker set at massive World Cup watch party in Manchester
Danny Jones
JD x JB: The well-known British and Manchester-founded sports fashion brand is teaming up with local artist Josh Baker for an exclusive pop-up set at a massive World Cup screening in the city centre tonight.
The two Manchester icons are teaming up at an otherwise sold-out Castlefield Bowl, getting the matchday vibes going ahead of the England vs Argentina game this evening.
With all eyes on the semi-final, keeping nerves steady will be a tall task, but Baker will be helping play his part in getting the energy up ahead of kick-off.
No matter what happens with the scoreline, it’s set to be a proper party atmosphere beforehand.
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Fresh off the plane from his White Isle residency over in Ibiza, the 30-year-old Manc musician will be taking to the stage from 6:15pm at none other than Castlefield Bowl, where nearly 9,000 people will be watching the big game.
In case you missed it, after wrapping up Sounds of the City ’26, the Bowl is now being taken over for Road to Victory’s outdoor fan zone.
Doors will be open from 5:30pm ahead of the 8pm kick-off, and you’ll want to get down there with plenty of time to make sure you get a good view of the action – and by that, we mean both the game and Josh’s exciting set.
Better still, not only are those at the venue in for a night of amazing music and incredible vibes, but they’ll be cheering on Thomas Tuchel’s men straight after, in a crucial clash that could see England reach a second consecutive final in the last two major tournaments.
There’ll be plenty of entertainment before, during and after the breaks.
We will, of course, be keeping our fingers crossed for you and the boys tonight; the only thing we’re certain of is that the man himself will deliver on the night.
We had the honour of chatting with JB ahead of the BRITs back in February, and he’s only looking to bigger and better things this year.
For those looking to go along for this special one-off, once again, tickets to the event are already sold out, so your only chance is to sign up for the waiting list HERE. Fingers crossed for you and a result at full-time!
Last but not least, keep your eyes peeled on the JD Sports Instagram page and their other socials for all other updates ahead of the huge night. We can feel it: it’s coming home…
Danny Jones -
14th June 2024 
