On Thursday, October 2nd, Beyond The Music hosted BEYOND THE BAND at Co-op Live, providing 250 local Manchester youth aged 16-25 with free, exclusive access to the hidden, behind-the-scenes careers in the music industry.
Delivered through the Beyond The Music INSPIRE programme and supported by Co-op Live and Ignition Music (part of Oasis’ management), the event was a crucial step in the organisation’s mission to diversify and develop Manchester’s creative employment landscape.
The day featured a series of candid talks and vital one-to-one networking sessions with leading professionals. Speakers included Ignition Music’s Marcus Russell (Oasis manager) and Clare Byrne, Leader of Manchester City Council Bev Craig, BBC 6 Music Presenter Chris Hawkins, and Co-op Live General Manager Guy Dunstan.
Opening the proceedings, host and emerging Manchester artist OneDa stressed the importance of the event: “There were no paths, there were no clear routes to take, and that is why today is so special; because we can give you insight, we can give you gems, we can give you paths to follow.”
The panels, including ‘ON THE GROUND’ and ‘ON THE ROAD,’ demystified roles across artist management, publicity, radio, and venue operations. Chris Hawkins encouraged attendees not to be too focused on a single role, noting, “There are a million different worlds, and many different routes to a career in music.” Marcus Russell added that success often comes down to making your “own luck,” relating his own start managing student college bands.
The event concluded with a high-energy mixer where attendees swapped contact details, finding new aspirations and opportunities beyond performing. Beyond The Music’s Sarah Pearson and Oli Wilson celebrated the day, stating the goal was to "show the way" for young people who often find career pathways in the arts difficult to navigate. The overwhelming feedback confirmed the event successfully created accessible connections with industry heavyweights.
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