First details revealed for BRITs Fringe with Brighter Sound

15 January 2026 - Press release

BRING ON THE BRITs WITH MASTERCARD: THE 2026 NOMINATIONS
WATCH ON WEDNESDAY 21ST JANUARY FROM 5PM ON THE BRITs’ INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK

WHATSAPP ANNOUNCED AS 2026 OFFICIAL VOTING PARTNER

THE BRIT AWARDS 2026 WITH MASTERCARD
SATURDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2026 AT CO-OP LIVE, MANCHESTER ON ITV

 

In a first for The BRIT Awards, details were announced today for BRITs Fringe, a programme of engagement taking place across Manchester ahead of this year’s 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 Manchester’s 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 Manchester’s 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 Manchester’s 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 aimed at supporting them to pursue 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 Manchester’s 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.

 

Visit www.brightersound.com/brits-fringe for more information