In a first for The BRIT Awards, details were announced today for BRITs Fringe, a programme of engagement across Manchester ahead of this years event. Also announced was Bring on the BRITs with Mastercard: The 2026 Nominations, a livestream exclusively hosted on the BRITs Instagram and Facebook from 5pm on Wednesday, 21st January.
Created to amplify and extend the impact of The BRITs, BRITs Fringe celebrates Greater Manchesters 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 harnesses The BRIT Awards global platform to amplify grassroots creativity, elevate local voices and connect emerging talent with the wider music industry.
Delivered by Brighter Sound, a locally rooted yet 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 shines a spotlight on Manchesters dynamic music scene through an exciting programme of events.
At the centre of the celebration is FRINGE LAB, a one-day creative music industry forum, mixer and live showcase at New Century Hall on Friday 27th February, 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 Manchesters 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 learners to support them in pursuing careers in the music industry. Hosted at Band on the Wall, the School of Digital Arts (SODA) and the Royal Northern College of Music, these sessions aim to inspire, upskill and empower the next generation of Manchesters music talent. Extending its reach even further, 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: Were 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 regions unique culture and talent. Im grateful for the energy our partners have brought to this remarkable series of events, creating space for the next generation of creative talent.
Kate Lowes, Director at Brighter Sound, said: we are incredibly proud to be delivering the very first BRITs Fringe, and it feels especially fitting that its happening in Manchester known for its long history of being a true ‘city of firsts.’ We’re also delighted to be working with a steering group of incredible Greater Manchester creatives and music professionals (made up of representatives from the Manchester Music City network and the Greater Manchester Music Commission) to ensure the BRITs Fringe is rooted in local scenes.
“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. By creating space for emerging artists, young people, and new voices, were helping to shape the next generation of creative talent while showing how a values-led approach can influence the biggest stages in music.
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.
Visit www.brightersound.com/brits-
