The Great Escape Conference 2026
The UK’s most essential new-music industry conference — celebrating 20 years of setting the agenda Returning to Brighton from 13th–15th May 2026 (with an extended Wednesday afternoon programme), The Great Escape Conference enters its most ambitious era yet. Marking our 20th anniversary, TGE 2026 brings together the artists, executives, policymakers and cultural leaders shaping the future of music — across three days of insight, debate, discovery and connection. Designed to reflect and influence the entire music ecosystem, this year’s programme is built alongside a record-breaking collective of Conference Collaborators and Trade Partners, each bringing world-class expertise, networks and cultural insight directly into the conversation.Keynote Speakers Announced
The keynote speakers for 2026 set the tone for a landmark year.Melanie C joins us for a special keynote conversation with Jaguar, presented in association with our Charity Partner CALM, celebrating the release of her new album Sweat and reflecting on a career that spans three decades — from redefining global pop culture with the Spice Girls to chart-topping solo success and global DJ sets.
Ian Murray MP, Minister of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), will deliver a keynote session offering direct insight into UK government policy across the creative industries — including music, touring, broadcasting and the night-time economy.
Emma Banks (CAA) and Natasha Gregory (Mother). Hosted by IQ Magazine. Bringing decades of experience shaping the careers of some of the world’s biggest artists, Banks and Gregory will offer a rare behind-the-scenes perspective on the global live landscape — from breaking new acts to building arena-level success.
Also confirmed:
Molly Neuman (President, CD Baby) in conversation with Mark Sutherland on building sustainable, future-proof independent careers.
Council of Music Makers presents: AI, Streaming, Media + Touring – The Music-Maker Perspective on Key Industry Trends, tackling the most urgent debates shaping the business today.
Newly added to the programme
CALM will present ‘Music Saved My Life’ — an exploration of the mental health benefits of music and its power to save lives. The session features Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien, who has been an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness within the music industry, and Mercury Prize-nominated artist Nadine Shah, who has long used her platform to speak candidly about grief, addiction and mental wellbeing. They will be joined by broadcaster and DJ Harpz Kaur, alongside leading researchers Dr George Musgrave and Chris Price, Head of Music for BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra.
AIM will present a deep dive into the award-winning campaign behind Bon Iver’s latest record, SABLE fABLE (winner of Best Creative Campaign at the Independent Music Awards), featuring the Secretly Group team behind the campaign’s success.
More keynote speakers and major sessions will be announced in the coming weeks.
Conference Collaborators 2026
This year’s expanded Collaborator collective spans live, venues, labels, rights, mental health, youth development, sustainability, recorded music and artist careers. 2026 collaborators include:BPI, PPL, Association of Independent Music (AIM), BBC Introducing, Council of Music Makers (CMM), Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), Youth Music, EarthPercent, CALM, IQ Magazine, Music Venues Alliance Brighton (MVAB) War Child, Rough Trade, NME, TikTok, Sound Exchange
Together, this collective ensures expert-led, community-shaped sessions and future-focused debate across the entire programme.
Themes & Daily Strands
Wednesday 13 May — Live Music & Night-Time Culture
Opening day focuses on the future of the live sector, exploring:- Venue pressures & resilience
- Touring innovation
- Audience evolution
- Night-time economy reform
- Policy & infrastructure
Thursday 14 May — Artist Careers, Rights & Resilience
Thursday centres artist sustainability, examining:- Creative development
- Rights, royalties & licensing
- Financial resilience
- New business models
- AI & streaming economics
Friday 15 May — Next Gen Day
Friday spotlights future leaders and rising talent, covering:- Early-career pathways
- Access, education & inclusion
- Sustainability & climate action
- Innovation across sync, platforms & licensing
Trade Partners & Industry Activity
2026 Trade Partners include:AWAL, FUGA, Downtown, NOMEX, Ticketmaster New Music, Vevo, Virgin Music Group (VMG), M For Montreal, Centre National de la Musique (CNM), Creative Scotland
Across the week, partners will host curated showcases, networking brunches, receptions, cocktail events and specialist sessions embedding international connection and commercial opportunity throughout TGE.
First Wave of Major Partners
Lead Education Partner: BIMM Institute
Charity Partner: CALM
Lead Country Partner 2026: New Zealand (The New Zealand Music Commission & Live Nation New Zealand)
Delegates can expect curated New Zealand showcases, industry panels, networking receptions and cultural spotlight programming.
4,000+ Delegates. One Agenda-Setting Week.
With over 4,000 global music professionals converging in Brighton, The Great Escape Conference remains the UK’s most influential meeting point for discovery, debate and deal-making in new music.
More speakers, sessions and partners will be announced soon — making 2026 one of the most dynamic editions yet.
Join Us in Brighton
13–15 May 2026 Be part of the conversations shaping the future of music.
Delegate passes available now.