BRITs Fringe event comes to Manchester Met

Some of the UK’s most influential music industry figures were welcomed to Manchester Met for an official BRITs Fringe event, created to spotlight Manchester’s dynamic music scene ahead of the awards on Saturday, and support the next generation of industry talent.

Students, alumni and other emerging creatives were given unprecedented access to senior industry representatives including artist managers, directors and producers at labels including Island Records, EMI North, Universal Music Group and Virgin Music.

Sharing their insider insights into how to successfully build an audience, the impressive line-up of speakers delivered talks, interactive workshops and immersive masterclasses at the full-day event hosted at Manchester Met’s Holden Gallery in partnership with its School of Digital Arts (SODA).

The sessions explored music audience development for live, grassroots and digital contexts, and gave attendees valuable first-hand insights into how to use audience building to support sustainable music industry careers.

Speaking about her experience of the event, Manchester Met student Ellie said: “We’ve been talking to lots of people in the music industry and it’s been great to ask them how we can progress as artists. I enjoyed learning about the different ways that it’s possible to promote yourself – I hadn’t thought of that before. It’s great to hear how I can grow my personality and use that to advertise my music.”

The event was part of the BRITs Fringe, a series of events delivered by Brighter Sound in collaboration with Manchester Music City and supported by Manchester City Council, GMCA and the Manchester Accommodation BID.

It came just three days prior to the much-anticipated BRIT Awards 2026, which will be held in Manchester for the first time on Saturday at the city’s Co-Op Live venue.

Manchester Met’s Professor Kirsty Fairclough, a member of the BRITs Fringe steering group and Professor of Screen Studies at the School of Digital Arts (SODA) helped co-ordinate the event. She said: “We were delighted to host such a significant gathering of creative industry leaders here at Manchester Met.

“Events like this demonstrate the strength of our partnerships and the real-world opportunities we offer our students and alumni. By bringing together some of the most influential voices from across the UK’s music and creative sectors, we are giving students direct access to the insights, networks and emerging practices that will shape their future careers.

“It reflects our commitment at SODA and across the University to ensuring our graduates are not only creatively confident, but industry ready and equipped to thrive in a rapidly evolving creative landscape.”

Cheri, another Manchester Met student who attended the event, added: “I’ve really enjoyed today, firstly because the people who have spoken and been part of the day have been so inviting and inspiring.

“They’ve given everyone a lot to think about that is outside of the conventional advice people trying to break into the music scene get told. It has been a lovely, well-rounded day.”

Manchester Met’s School of Art alumni have also been involved in this year’s BRIT Awards activity, with six alumni creating spectacular large-scale artworks for the BRITs city centre art trail.