Brighter Sound hosts a free music showcase as part of first-ever BRITs Fringe

Tickets are now available for a special free music showcase at the heart of the first-ever BRITs Fringe, with an exciting line-up of emerging artists set to take to the stage as Manchester prepares to host The BRIT Awards with Mastercard for the very first time outside London.

The showcase, taking place at New Century Hall on Fri 27 Feb, will feature live performances from Chloe Slater, Meduulla, Nxdia and Third Kulture, alongside DJ sets that reflect the breadth and energy of Greater Manchester’s contemporary music scene.

Tickets are free, offering music fans the chance to experience the next wave of talent as part of this landmark cultural moment for the city.

BRITs Fringe is a week-long programme in the lead-up to The BRIT Awards with Mastercard. Under the banner ‘Manchester Seen and Heard’, BRITs Fringe harnesses The BRIT Awards’ global platform to amplify grassroots creativity, elevate local voices and connect emerging talent with the wider music industry.

Another key part of the programme is FIRST STEPS, a three-part series supporting young creatives aged 16-25 as they develop the skills required to build sustainable careers in
music, and a full one-day event, FRINGE LAB, culminating in the musical showcase.

On Mon 23 Feb, Band on the Wall hosts First Steps into Songwriting, in partnership with The Manchester College. The early-evening event focuses on the craft and realities of writing music today, featuring conversations with established artists and industry professionals, live sharing of original material and expert feedback, followed by a social mixer. Contributors include representatives from Stellar Songs and Lab Records, and songwriters Holly Phelps and David O’Dowda.

On Wed 25 Feb, First Steps into Building an Audience comes to Manchester School of Art’s Holden Gallery, in partnership with the School of Digital Arts (SODA) at Manchester Metropolitan University. This will be a full-day session exploring how emerging artists can grow and sustain audiences both onstage and online, develop authentic branding, and build relationships with promoters, agents and venues.

Contributors include Chris Horkan (Hey! Manchester), Conrad Murray (SJM), Sunjay Kohli (AAA Media), Faye Williams (Flabbergast), Scott Lewis (EMI North), and representatives from Blackstar Agency.

Next up, on Thu 26 Feb, First Steps into Selling Your Music takes over the Royal Northern College of Music; a practical day covering publishing, sync and licensing, legal frameworks, distribution and monetisation. Industry experts will include Matt Johnson (Tristar Records), Corbyn Asbury (YouTube), Dan Jones (PRS for Music), Esme O’Keefe (Modern Sky), and representatives from TuneCore, Universal Music Group and Sony Music.

Concluding the programme on Fri 27 Feb, FRINGE LAB at New Century is a flagship daytime event bringing together artists, executives and creatives for a packed schedule of talks, masterclasses and conversations. The line-up includes YolanDa Brown OBE DL, Jamz Supernova (BBC 6Music), Rich Castillo (Lionbear Music), The Lottery Winners, Donae’O, Zed Bias, Låpsley, Sam Potts (AWAL), Scott Lewis (EMI North) and Mark Lippmann (Scruff of the Neck).

FRINGE LAB will provide direct access to industry insight, practical knowledge and real networking opportunities, reinforcing Manchester’s commitment to building sustainable creative careers.

Brighter Sound Director Kate Lowes said: “We’re excited to be announcing Chloe Slater, Meduulla, Nxdia and Third Kulture as the artists leading our FRINGE LAB showcase, alongside an incredible range of industry figures who are generously giving their time and insight throughout the week. The calibre of both the artists and contributors reflects the strength of Greater Manchester’s music community and the appetite to open doors for the next generation.

“From our First Steps sessions through to the live showcase, BRITs Fringe is about creating clear, meaningful pathways – ensuring emerging talent is not only seen and heard during this landmark moment for the city but supported well beyond it.”

Free tickets for the FRINGE LAB Next Showcase are available below. For more information about the BRITs Fringe, visit the Brighter Sound website.