Manchester magnetized an eclectic mass of artists, industry trailblazers, and talent of tomorrow at Beyond The Music 2023.

Housed in the heart of Manchester, the multi-day event comprised insightful panel conversations led by leaders in the business (both seasoned and soaring) and intimate live performances from some of the most exciting names on the scene.

This year’s festivities were launched by the Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham – who commended the city’s rich history of musical magnificence and the potentness of the Beyond The Music platform.

That Grape Juice was on hand at the resonating event. Head below for our highlights…

Rita Ora & Sarah Stennett

Rita Ora has long established herself as a fervent force and one that has left an indelible mark across a multitude of mediums.

In this powerful keynote discussion, the media multihyphenate was joined by her game-changing manager Sarah Stennett, who opened up in earnest about her decorated career and the learnings she applies to shepherding Ora’s unique trajectory.

A fascinating insight into the intertwined journies of forces that have accomplished so much and who remain hungry to achieve so much more.

************

Black Women in the Music Industry: In Their Own Words

Here at That Grape Juice, Black music, entertainment, and experience are central to our… everything.

With that, there’s still the broader necessity to illuminate the stories of the game-changers who are central to the magic of the music industry.

As such, this panel discussion centered on the  Black women in music was both necessary and incredibly resonating.

Led by Sheryl Nwosu, the discussion saw an immaculate collection of industry heavyweights assemble to ruminate on the past, present, and future of the Black talent in the industry.

Featuring contributions from Char Grant, Rainar Goering, Afrea Henry Fontaine, and Komali Scott-Jones, (who have made waves within the major label system), as well as artist LadyFullstop, the discourse centered on various key themes.

From the notion of being bold and networking to the A&R gem of “let us find you, not the other way around” to the necessity of not just “working the room, but the entire building,” the gems were bountiful.

Allyship was emphasized in earnest, as was an impassioned call for those wanting to make a genuine change to put their money in alignment with their publicized intention.

************

Hip-Hop 50: Secrets Of Success – Celebrating The Women Behind Hip-Hop

The yearlong celebration of Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary has been monumental – and deservingly so. It remains one of the leading forces in music – both commercially and culturally.

However, with much of the reflection being centered on male heavy-hitters in the US, we were all sorts of welcoming to see the spotlight shone on the female foundational leaders of the genre in the UK.

Anchored by the BBC‘s Karen Gabay, this panel painted a potent picture of the climate in which innovators like Bubbles and Cookie (The Cookie Crew) endured to carve out a path for themselves and those who came after.

Rivvetting stories – rooted in the flavor of Jamaican culture, passion, and perseverance – kept the audience on the edge of their seats and reaffirmed appreciation for our homegrown pioneers.

************

For more on Beyond The Music, visit BeyondTheMusic.co.uk.

Your thoughts?

[Photo Credit: Antonio Ross, Lucy Craig]