Beyond The Music will head to Greater Manchester next week (Oct. 6-9) with an ambitious program of conferences, performances and keynote speeches from a number of the U.K. music industry’s most influential names.

Throughout the week, there’ll be appearances from Jo Charrington, president of Capitol Records U.K.; Stacey Tang, co-president of RCA Records U.K. and chair of the BRIT Awards organizing committee; Tommas Arnby, manager of Yungblud; and Michael Adex, CEO of Northern Quarter, among others. Representatives from the BPI, U.K Music, The Ivors Academy and more will also hit the north for the annual event.

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Billboard U.K., too, will play a role with the launch of its inaugural 40 Under 40 list and an honors event on Wednesday (Oct. 7), which will feature welcome remarks by Bev Craig, the Mayor of Greater Manchester. The conference’s final day will feature an AI-focused summit convened by Andy Burnham, former Mayor of the city and now the U.K.’s prime minister, having assumed the role in July.

It’ll make for a diverse and robust discussion of important topics hopes Alice Webb, CEO of MediaCity U.K. which will be hosting the conference and festival in its entirety. The MediaCity U.K. complex is housed in Salford, Greater Manchester, with broadcasters such as the BBC and ITV making the 200-acre studios its home since its opening in 2011.

Ahead of the event next week, Webb takes Billboard U.K. through her top picks for the upcoming conference and music performance.

Another Country $$$$

University of Salford, MediaCity Campus, Oct. 7

“Another Country $$$$ has a big audio/visual element to their show, and we’ve got a track record of supporting that side of creativity. After Beyond The Music, there’s the Beyond Conference in November which is another place where you’re going to see music and audiovisual creators and tech all convene. Another Country $$$$ is a nod towards everything that we’re already doing in that space.”

SpaceAcre

University of Salford, MediaCity Campus, Oct. 7

“The overarching theme of the conference is that art is a fundamental human right. We passionately believe in backing creativity; it isn’t just a ‘nice to have,’ but an absolute necessity. While it is easy to feel discouraged by AI’s rapid growth, we feel that human creativity will far outlast it. That intention lies at the very heart of SpaceAcre and their music, so there’s a fantastic alignment between what they’re doing and the overarching themes of Beyond The Music.”

The Convergence of Music and Video Games: Marriage Made in Heaven or Unholy Union?

16:10-16:55, MediaCity, Oct. 7

“We’re thrilled to bring Beyond The Music to MediaCity because these vital topics aren’t being discussed elsewhere on a mass scale; these conversations often happen quietly in studios, pubs or workplaces rather than openly. I think the conference’s ‘in-the-round’ also stages fosters a completely different kind of dialogue, particularly for subjects like this when we’re discussing the intersection of music and video games. People are deeply passionate about the dynamics between music and gaming, and hopefully this event provides a platform to explore it openly.”

Tom A. Smith and Seb Lowe: Finding Your Way Through

10:45-11:15, MediaCity, Oct. 8

“Creating a path for up-and-coming talent is fundamental to the essence of Beyond The Music. Having worked in the music industry for some time, I know it can feel like there is a secret code to entry — people often wonder how to make a breakthrough, whether they are doing the right things or if it comes down to timing and connections. This keynote will hopefully go some ways to help demystify the industry and reassure emerging artists that others share their experiences.”

Rights and Wrongs: The Future of the Creative Economy and How to Build a Sustainable Economy for All

14:35-15:30, MediaCity, Oct. 8

“This topic could span an entire conference on its own. Given the volatile state of the creative economy, we will need to revisit this discussion continuously; but I do think we’re in a massive state. Eventually, once all the big American conglomerates have eaten each other, it will become clear that the current economic model is broken and doesn’t work for people. While I don’t think we’re quite there yet, sessions like this are vital for driving the conversation forward and preventing stagnation. The economics of the music industry — and content creation as a whole — are fundamentally broken, and because the ecosystem is so vast, it can be difficult to view the full scope of the problem all at once.”

Changing the Tune: What Does Music and Entertainment Need From the Government’s ‘Turn It Up’ Plan?

16:40-17:25, MediaCity, Oct. 8

“Music is a core part of the government’s industrial creative strategy, and it’s important to move beyond headline strategy to discuss the levers they might pull. There is more work to do to translate these ideas into concrete actions. I would be fascinated to see what collective wisdom emerges regarding two or three key changes that could make a difference at scale. Because when you ask 500 people what they should do, it yields 500 different suggestions. It’s often difficult to tell which policy levers will be most effective and produce the best long-term outcomes, so the question is, can we try and reach a consensus amongst the industry?”

Tom A. Smith

The Electric Circus Stage, MediaCity Studios, Oct. 8

“When a legend like Elton John endorses you, you know you are on the right track. Tom is a new discovery for me, but I’m tipping him as well… it feels like good company to be in!”

Charlotte OC

The Music Box Stage, MediaCity Studios, Oct. 8

“That stage is going to be incredibly busy, which speaks to the high caliber of this event. We hold big ambitions for what we build here, and welcoming someone of Charlotte’s stature to our stage is a true privilege.”

The Creative Industries AI Summit, Convened by Andy Burnham

All day, MediaCity, Oct. 9

“Andy’s been a longtime friend of Media City, and he’s clearly devoted a large chunk of his career to Greater Manchester. He’s a profound believer in the creative arts and in music, and he’s not afraid to demonstrate that support. I think you can expect some very important voices to come and join that debate on Friday; it’ll be a really big moment. I don’t think for a minute that we will solve all the world’s AI, but I think we’ll make an important contribution and I think that’s all we can ask of ourselves.”

Lady Ice

AUD2, MediaCity Studios, Oct. 9

“Since we are based outside London and the Southeast, creating platforms for regional talent is an absolute priority. These showcases provide local artists the opportunity to perform in front of both locals and key industry figures who have traveled in. We also feel like MediaCity offers an impressive backdrop, and gives performing artists a level of visibility and endorsement.”