Un-Convention Manchester 2026

The 116th Un-Convention music industry conference will take place at Band on the Wall in Manchester on Thursday the 22nd and Friday the 23rd October 2026.

The event will once again bring together hundreds of pioneering artists, managers, labels, promoters, and festivals from over 50 towns and cities across the UK to explore the current state of the sector, build networks, and to develop ideas and actions for a more prosperous, diverse, and equitable music industry.

Over two days we will explore ideas for building sustainable careers in music, effective release and live strategies, the challenges for artists and organisations in the modern era, developing regional scenes, music export, well-being in the sector, music as a tool for social change, and a host of other key issues in the current industry.

On the Thursday evening there will be a live showcase at the Night & Day Café.

For the last eighteen years Un-Convention has been providing a platform for the makers and champions of independent music to meet, network, and develop new ways of working. If you're involved in the sector, then we do hope you can join us in Manchester this October.