Brighter Sound

Does Reaching Out sound like a bit of you? A place for music leaders to meet, chat, learn and share 🤜🤛 It's a future-thinking network for anyone who plans and manages inclusive music activity for children and young people, at Reaching Out you get to: • Share ideas, approaches and problem-shoot plans for future delivery of music projects with children and young people • Stay up to date and connected with other programme and project managers working across the region • Find ways to support each other through signposting, sharing resources and identifying potential partnerships Next session is next Thursday 21 May, 10.30am-12pm on Zoom 📅 You can sign up for free now. Get at the link in our bio 🔗 A partnership project between @moremusic1 and Brighter Sound, with funding from @youthmusicuk

It was ace to be part of @jazznorth 's Artist Development Day at @bandonthewall last month ✨ Attendees explored how to find their artist voice and tell their story through insightful workshops delivered by @ellenbethabdi and @oli_bentley_ . The day also featured @nkok.productions from @bluelab_beats in conversation with @kinayasibrahim and jam sessions facilitated by @mara.crz and @kemani_anderson 🫶 Key takeaways from the day included the importance of: • Finding the space and time to make mistakes • Feeding your audience's mind as well as their ears • Planning longterm - thinking campaign not cover • Striving to make a sound that no one has heard before Photos by @jeni_illy 📸

“From the legacy of Madchester to hosting the BRITs, the MOBOs and the 6 Music Festival in the same season, there’s a real sense of energy shifting north” A few months on from the first BRIT Awards to be hosted outside of London, there are still traces of the impact dotted around Manchester. And for the artists and organisations that made it happen, this is just the beginning. ✨ 🎶 We spoke to National Portfolio Organisations @the_halle and @brightersound about the vital role they played in the BRITs back in February, performing on stage with Alex Warren and creating the first ever BRITs Fringe, respectively. As well as Developing Your Creative Practice funded artist @kim_a_tron who created a mural as part of the BRITs art trail, curated by Manchester artist Stanley Chow. Read the full article to find out more about how these local organisations and artists took part in the UKs biggest night in music, and what it means for this shift North. 🔗 Head to the link in our bio Image credits: 1. The BRITs/The Hallé 2. Brighter Sound showcase. Photo by Rebecca Oliver. 3. Artwork by Kim Thompson. 3. BBC Proms. Mahlers Resurrection Symphony. Photo by BBC Chris Christodoulou 4. Brighter Sound showcase. Photo by Rebecca Oliver #TheBrits

LAST ORDERS 🔔 You have till next Tuesday 12 May at 11pm to apply for ELEVATE - our new year-long development programme for artists ready to level up, supported by @ppl_uk Giving ⚡ Anyone still thinking of applying, use the weekend well! Link in bio for full details 🔗

What does being a working musician look like for you? For @scapaxoc it includes 80% admin, and keeping an open mind to new projects and collaborations and letting one thing lead into the other ✨ Video by @broadenstudio 🎥

ELEVATE - our new year-long development programme for artists ready to level up, supported by @ppl_uk Giving, is taking applications now ⚡ Here's what you should be thinking about when you apply... • How would you describe your artistic identity at this point in your career? • What would you like to develop or change in your work over the next 12 months? • What feels like the next step towards operating at a more professional level? • What feels like the biggest barrier between where you are now and where you want to be? Apply by Tuesday 12 May, 11pm ⏳ Drop us a DM or email with any questions 👋 Link in bio for full details 🔗

Amplify Wythenshawe Live - an evening of new music spotlighting Wythenshawe's up-and-coming young music talent - coming to @wythenshaweforum on Thursday 11 June ✨ Featuring a culmination of new music created during Amplify Wythenshawe, our regular music-making sessions for instrumentalists, rappers and singers aged 11-17 Join us on Thursday 11 June at Forum Library Creative Space between 6-7.30pm 📆 Tickets are free but capacity is limited. Sign up to secure your place 🎟 Interested in performing? Register your interest by Monday 1 June 👀 Link in bio for more 🔗 Photos by @grid_turn_photo 📸

How can we challenge, disrupt, and reimagine the music industry? How can the idea of leadership be redefined in ways that centre care, community, and collective growth? In March 2026 12 changemakers came together to interrogate these questions on our Change the Record Retreat ✨ Featuring panels, workshops and discussions on everything from safe spaces, embracing conflict and breaking gatekeeping to allyship, DIY infrastructures and more. The Retreat created an open space for people of marginalised genders to step back from day-to-day pressures, reflect on their own practices and empower one another 🫶 A huge thanks to the attendees: @atalayafuego , @babyjaiixx , Beck (@tyneandqueercic ), @jomosounds , @lashimba_ , @manonmccoyy , @minasaltar , @quieting___ , @bintarasida_b , Saskhia Menendez (@theglobaltranscharter ), @scapaxo and @tylahhp And another hand for the guest speakers: @afrodeutsche , @alicekanako_ , Emma Thompson (@fromtheother._ ), Flematu Sessay (@publictactics ), @hannahbg__ , @karliemarx.wav , @livmcpro , Moni Serneabat Ungar (@decolonisefest ), Nishma Jethwa and Dr Stephanie Davis (@healingjusticeldn ), @sashwatimira , @shrekx666 and Zahra Haji Fath Ali Tehrani (@ywmpoxford ) Supported by @sonymusicuk 🙏 Video by @broadenstudio 🎥

ELEVATE - our new year-long development programme for artists ready to level up, supported by @ppl_uk Giving, is taking applications now ⚡ Check if it's right for you... ELEVATE is only open to solo artists or duos for now. You’ll also need to be 18+ and from/based in Greater Manchester 📍 Applicants will have: • A distinct and recognisable artistic identity • A clear sense of their sound, influences, and creative direction (even if it’s still evolving) • Music already released, or ready to be released • Some experience of performing live across different settings Sound like you? Apply by Tuesday 12 May, 11pm ⏳ Drop us a DM or email with any questions 👋 Link in bio for full details 🔗

How do you create a story or journey within your music? Here's an insight into @mattwildemusic 's track Yellow Days from his latest album 'Find A Way' ☀️ Video by @broadenstudio 🎥

Amplify Wythenshawe returns across April to June for another round of free weekly music-making sessions for songwriters, rappers and singers aged 11-17 ✨ • Meet and collaborate with other musicians your age • Develop skills in songwriting or playing in a band • Create new music together, or develop some of your own ideas • Perform live on stage Express your voice through music, build confidence, and develop skills in a safe, encouraging space 🫶 Wednesdays, 6-8pm from 22 April - 3 June, plus a chance to perform live on Thursday 11 June - all at @wythenshaweforum 📅 No musical experience needed. Just bring the power of your self-expression and a collaborative spirit. We’ll have instruments available for you to use. This is a performance-based songwriting course and does not include music production or technology. Link in bio to find out more and sign up 🔗 Photos by @grid_turn_photo 📸

ELEVATE - our new year-long development programme for artists ready to level up, supported by @ppl_uk Giving, is taking applications until 12 May ⚡ Selected artists will receive: • A pre-studio development bootcamp with A&R, producers, and songwriters to refine your material • 3 days in the studio recording new music with a musical director, producer and session musicians • Rehearsal time and performance coaching to prepare for live shows • Paid performance opportunities including local gigs, national festivals and industry-facing events • A pre-release bootcamp covering campaign strategy, distribution, PPL and marketing • A £500 bursary to support your release, plus tailored one-to-one mentoring Sound up your street? Apply by Tuesday 12 May, 11pm ⏳ Drop us a DM or email with any questions 👋 Link in bio for full details 🔗