Kofi Stone, Lady Ice and Bawo lead Beyond The Music lineup

Birmingham rapper Kofi Stone – who has collaborated with Loyle Carner and Maverick Sabre – draws on influences including Lupe Fiasco, Common, Kano and Sway, with lyrics centring on love, faith, family and race. Joining him are Lady Ice, who gained national attention through BBC One and BBC Three’s The Rap Game UK, West London MC Bawo, and returning local artists MC OneDa and self-proclaimed “punk limbo-ers” Loose Articles. The undercard includes new LAB Records signees Mouth Ulcers, North East pop artist Loren Heat, and Manchester prospects Nico Harmony, Che3kz and Teleshopping.

Oli Wilson, co-founder and lead music programmer, says: “There is another music revolution pending here, and we are proud to be platforming it; not only by showcasing new artists, but by connecting them with the networks and tools they need to build a career.”

Check out the first lineup poster for the event below, which runs across 7-9 October, taking over outdoor stages, dock10 studios, disused shops and local venues across the MediaCity campus.

The festival maintains a 50/50 gender split across its lineups and prioritises underrepresented genres and individuals, particularly those from Greater Manchester.

The festival’s artist submission programme is also open and allows grassroots artists from the North West and globally – including those without booking agents – to apply for performance slots.

Early bird tickets are almost sold out, with a deadline of 5pm on 13 April. Three-day music tickets start at £44, full delegate tickets from £183.

Beyond The Music 2026 lineup

Bawo / Che3kz / Cutscene / Ewan Sim / Getner / Hana Lili / Holly Head / Jayahadadream / Kofi Stone / Lady Ice / Loose Articles / Loren Heat / Migraine Mowgli / Mouth Ulcers / Naomi Kalu / Nico Harmony / OneDa / Roukaya B / Superlative / TeeZandos / Teleshopping / Third Kulture