Brighter Sound hosts the first-ever BRITs Fringe as awards debut in Manchester

As the BRIT Awards prepare to make their debut in Manchester next month, organisers have announced the first-ever BRITs Fringe programme.

Taking place across the city ahead of this year’s event, BRITs Fringe celebrates Greater Manchester’s rich musical heritage, its vibrant contemporary scene and the next generation shaping the future of UK music

Under the banner ‘Manchester Seen and Heard’, BRITs Fringe will tap into The BRIT Awards’ worldwide platform to amplify grassroots creativity, elevate local voices and connect emerging talent with the wider music industry.

Delivered by Brighter Sound, a locally rooted, globally connected music development organisation, in collaboration with Manchester Music City and supported by Manchester City Council, GMCA and the Manchester Accommodation BID – BRITs Fringe spotlights Manchester’s dynamic music scene through an exciting and innovative programme of events.

Central to the celebrations is FRINGE LAB, a one-day creative music industry forum, mixer and live showcase at New Century Hall on Fri 27 Feb, the eve of The BRIT Awards. Bringing together emerging artists, music professionals and creatives, FRINGE LAB features bold talks, hands-on workshops, immersive masterclasses and high-energy discussions. The day culminates in a public live showcase spotlighting four of Manchester’s potential future BRIT Award winners.

In the days leading up to the awards, Brighter Sound will also deliver BRITs Fringe: First Steps – a trio of targeted development events for young people aimed at supporting them to pursue careers in the music industry. Hosted at Band on the Wall, the School of Digital Arts (SODA) at Manchester Metropolitan University, and the Royal Northern College of Music, these sessions aim to inspire, upskill and empower the next wave of Mancunian music talent.

Along with this, a collaborative project with Manchester’s music education service will take BRITs Fringe into schools across the city, further encouraging early musical engagement and nurturing creativity at every level.

Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK, said: “We’re excited to launch the first programme of BRITs Fringe events, helping to unlock opportunities and reach the creative communities within Manchester. The BRIT Awards have a strong history of championing music education, and these events will give local communities a chance to be part of the biggest night in British music, while highlighting the region’s unique culture and talent.”

Kate Lowes, Director at Brighter Sound, said: “Brighter Sound has always supported and championed underrepresented creative voices and aims to make music-making accessible, inclusive, and rooted in community. Everything we do is led from the heart, with grassroots creativity at the centre. BRITs Fringe is about ensuring that the energy, ideas, and talent coming from the ground up have a real presence and impact around the BRIT Awards.

“Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester is known the world over for music and for the musical talent that has come out of the city – which is why The BRITs and Manchester are such a perfect fit for each other.

“Music in all its forms makes a massive contribution to the economic wellbeing of the city thanks to an infrastructure that supports both major music artists and local up-and-coming musicians. Our independent music scene is legendary and continues to grow, with well-established networks of support for creatives across the city. This year’s first-ever BRITs Fringe looks set to build brilliantly on this by providing some incredible additional opportunities in the run-up to the awards both for local Manchester artists to directly showcase their talents, and also for young people looking to break into the music industry to hear direct from people already working in the sector.”

The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard will take place on Sat 28 Feb at Manchester’s Co-op Live. Tickets to the BRITs Fringe: FRINGE LAB are on sale now, with tickets to the FRINGE LAB Evening Showcase coming soon. Book yours below.