Un-Convention

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Un-Convention The next Un-Convention Manchester music conference and showcase takes place on the 22nd and 23rd October 2026.

This Friday we’re excited to be joined by a host of fantastic artist managers for our 'Building Artist Careers in a Shif...
20/10/2026

This Friday we’re excited to be joined by a host of fantastic artist managers for our 'Building Artist Careers in a Shifting Industry' panel, in partnership with the MMF (Music Managers Forum UK)

Artists' careers continue to evolve in a multitude of ways, and it is the manager who must navigate it all. With fans' attention harder than ever to hold, listening habits shifting, touring costs rising and social media rewriting the rules on a regular basis, they are tasked with developing talent, building fanbases and finding new opportunities in an increasingly complex and unpredictable industry.

In this panel we hear from managers working at different stages of artists’ journeys, sharing their experiences of what it takes to build and sustain a career in today's music industry, and how to stay one step ahead in a constantly changing landscape.

Ali Raymond (Manager, Arlo Parks)
Alice Boeglin (Manager, Get Down Services)
Matt Johnson (Co-manager, Sugababes)
Maya Cullen Petrovic (Jawdropper Music)
Moderator: Annabella Coldrick (Music Managers Forum)

The panel takes place at 1.45pm on Friday.

Un-Convention is now Sold Out.Apologies to anyone who was still looking to join us for this year’s conference in Manches...
19/10/2026

Un-Convention is now Sold Out.

Apologies to anyone who was still looking to join us for this year’s conference in Manchester - we do have a waiting list open via the ticket link in our bio and will allocate any places should they become available.

If you are coming along then we very much look forward to seeing you at Band on the Wall later this week.

Last few tickets! As part of this year’s Un-Convention, we’re proud to be presenting some incredible artists for our Thu...
16/10/2026

Last few tickets!
 
As part of this year’s Un-Convention, we’re proud to be presenting some incredible artists for our Thursday evening showcase at the iconic Night & Day Café.
 
London’s Voka Gentle
Brighton’s congratulations
Manchester’s COOPER T
 
Final tickets are available from the link in our bio

One week to go until Un-Convention, and we’re delighted to once again be partnering with our good friends at Skiddle Pro...
15/10/2026

One week to go until Un-Convention, and we’re delighted to once again be partnering with our good friends at Skiddle Promoters for this year’s conference. 
 
On the Friday morning BBC 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins will be moderating a panel on ‘Touring, Ticketing & Artist Power’
 
Taking a show on the road is a balancing act. Artists need to cover their costs while fans need affordable ticket prices. So how do we make touring work for both?

Starting with the artist’s experience, this panel explores the decisions behind tour dates: chosen locations and venues, ticket pricing, and audience outreach. 

Artists and industry voices will join Skiddle to explore regional opportunities, flexible payments and fairer resale, sharing practical lessons on protecting budgets while keeping fans central to the experience.
 
Joining Chris for the panel are:
 
Meg Gavan (Skiddle)
George Holmes (This Feeling)
Simon Catling (Mandy, Indiana / The White Hotel)
 
We’re down to the very last few tickets for this year’s event, so if you want to join us head to the link in our bio. A huge thanks as always to the team at Skiddle for all their support over the years to make Un-Convention possible.

In just over a week’s time, we’ll be back at Band on the Wall for our 2026 music industry conference. Over the course of...
14/10/2026

In just over a week’s time, we’ll be back at Band on the Wall for our 2026 music industry conference.

Over the course of two days, we’ll be looking at the challenges and opportunities across the live and recorded sectors, and how artists, managers, labels, festivals and venues are navigating the current landscape.

And for our closing panel we have a timely reminder that there would be no records, gigs, tours or festivals without great songs. While the tools, technology and routes to an audience have changed beyond recognition over the years, the craft of songwriting remains as personal and as mysterious as ever. From a single line scribbled in a notebook to a melody hummed into a phone, or hours spent in the studio with collaborators, every writer has their own way of capturing an idea and turning it into something that connects.

In this panel, a host of songwriters share how they approach their craft, the techniques and habits that shape their work, and where they find inspiration. Whether writing alone or in the room with others, they offer a rare insight into the creative process, and what it takes to write songs that last.

Laura White (Singer and Songwriter)
Murkage Dave (Singer and Songwriter)
Cherise (Singer and Songwriter)
Barry Hyde (The Futureheads)
Moderator: Simon Barber (Sodajerker)

This year’s event is very nearly sold out, so if you do want to join us for two days of inspiration, collaboration and networking then head to our website for more information.

Continuing our look at the conversations happening at this year’s Un-Convention, on the Thursday afternoon we have our D...
09/10/2026

Continuing our look at the conversations happening at this year’s Un-Convention, on the Thursday afternoon we have our Developing Regional Music Scenes panel.

Every year we bring together key individuals and organisations from towns and cities across the UK to explore what is and isn’t working in regional music scenes. The opportunity to make, access and build a career in music is still far from equal across the country, and with grassroots venues, local promoters and community organisations continuing to face rising costs and shrinking support, the need for strong, sustainable local scenes has never been greater.

In this session we hear from those championing independent music in their own communities about the challenges and opportunities they face, sharing ideas, best practice and success stories. Together we explore how we can build on what’s working and develop strategies to support and protect music making in every corner of the country for years to come.

Jamell Ackford Trinity Bristol
Dionne Bennett TÂN CERDD CIC
Dr Yasin El Ashrafi BEM HQ
Rachael McEntee The Snug Live
Moderator: Jez Collins birminghammusicarchive

Continuing our look at the conversations happening at this year’s Un-Convention, on the Thursday afternoon we have our D...
09/10/2026

Continuing our look at the conversations happening at this year’s Un-Convention, on the Thursday afternoon we have our Developing Regional Music Scenes panel.

Every year we bring together key individuals and organisations from towns and cities across the UK to explore what is and isn't working in regional music scenes. The opportunity to make, access and build a career in music is still far from equal across the country, and with grassroots venues, local promoters and community organisations continuing to face rising costs and shrinking support, the need for strong, sustainable local scenes has never been greater.

In this session we hear from those championing independent music in their own communities about the challenges and opportunities they face, sharing ideas, best practice and success stories. Together we explore how we can build on what's working and develop strategies to support and protect music making in every corner of the country for years to come.

Jamell Ackford (Bristol Trinity)
Dionne Bennett (Tân Cerdd, Cardiff)
Dr Yasin El Ashrafi BEM (HQ Familia, Leicester)
Rachael McEntee (The Snug, Atherton)
Moderator: Jez Collins (Birmingham Music Archive)

Just a couple of weeks to go until this year’s Un-Convention in Manchester.  In the run up to the event, we’re previewin...
07/10/2026

Just a couple of weeks to go until this year’s Un-Convention in Manchester.
 
In the run up to the event, we’re previewing some of the key conversations taking place at the conference, starting with our ‘State of the Nation’ panel.
 
To open this year’s conference, leading voices from across the UK music industry take stock of where the sector stands in 2026. What are its strengths and vulnerabilities right now, and what are the key challenges in sustaining and growing a prosperous and equitable industry, from the grassroots up? With perspectives spanning artists and their managers, live music and venues, and the wider industry, the panel will also look ahead to the next 12 months to consider what needs to change, and what meaningful support is required for artists, labels, promoters, venues and festivals to thrive.
 
with
Annabella Coldrick Music Managers Forum
Tom Kiehl UK MUSIC
Bev Whitrick Music Venue Trust
Jon Collins LIVE
Moderator: Mark Gordon Score Draw
 
The ‘State of the Nation’ panel takes place at 9.50am on Thursday 22nd of October.

90% of the places have now gone for this year’s Un-Convention music conference in Manchester, taking place on the 22nd a...
06/10/2026

90% of the places have now gone for this year’s Un-Convention music conference in Manchester, taking place on the 22nd and 23rd of October.

For the last 18 years we have been bringing together people from across the music industry, from inspirational artists and grassroots champions, to label founders and industry pioneers.

We look forward to welcoming a host of brilliant speakers, as well as those working in music scenes across the UK in a couple of weeks’ time. If you would like to join us, then you can grab one of the last remaining tickets via the link in our bio.

90% of the places have now gone for this year’s Un-Convention music conference in Manchester, taking place on the 22nd a...
06/10/2026

90% of the places have now gone for this year’s Un-Convention music conference in Manchester, taking place on the 22nd and 23rd of October.

For the last 18 years we have been bringing together people from across the music industry, from inspirational artists and grassroots champions, to label founders and industry pioneers.

We look forward to welcoming a host of brilliant speakers, as well as those working in music scenes across the UK in a couple of weeks’ time. If you would like to join us, then you can grab one of the last remaining tickets via our website.

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