MOBO ANNOUNCE FRINGE 2026 IN MANCHESTER
A weeklong celebration of Black music, creativity and community ahead of the 2026 MOBO Awards
Thursday 19 March – Tuesday 24 March
Supported by Manchester City Council in partnership with
Manchester Music City
Ahead of the 2026 MOBO Awards on Thursday 26 March
Full programme details: mobo.com/fringe
As the MOBO Organisation marks its landmark 30th anniversary and the MOBO Awards heads to Manchester for the first time, MOBO Fringe 2026 returns with its biggest and most exciting programme to date, transforming Manchester into a city-wide celebration of Black music, culture and creativity.
Running from Thursday 19 March to Tuesday 24 March, the free weeklong programme will bring together live performances, industry conversations, cultural activations, workshops and talent development initiatives across the city, building momentum ahead of the 2026 MOBO Awards at Co-op Live on Thursday 26 March.
For the first time in its history, the MOBO Awards is coming to Manchester, a city globally recognised for shaping musical movements and cultural conversations. MOBO Fringe 2026 extends that moment far beyond the awards ceremony, spotlighting Manchester’s vibrant creative communities while creating meaningful opportunities for artists, young people and cultural leaders across the region.
Delivered with support from Manchester City Council in partnership with Manchester Music City, the MOBO Fringe programme has been developed in collaboration with more than 50 community leaders, creatives, grassroots platforms and industry representatives, ensuring the Fringe reflects the voices and energy of those already shaping culture in the city.
Across the week, attendees can expect a dynamic programme spanning live music showcases, industry panels, education programmes, heritage activations and community-led events, hosted in some of Manchester’s most loved cultural venues.
At the heart of the programme is the MCR MOBO Fringe Assembly 2026, a delivery-led fellowship placing Manchester’s Black music commissioners, producers and cultural operators at the centre of programming during Awards week. The assembly commissions and produces events across the city, ensuring MOBO Fringe is shaped by the people already building scenes, audiences and opportunities locally.
The 2026 cohort brings together a range of leading Manchester-based platforms and organisations working across the city’s music and creative sectors. This includes Studio 88, Aaspire Records, SHIMRISE Selects, Habitat, FARO Presents, Melophile, 54 Agency and Black Creative Trailblazers and journalist Amelia Fearon. Together, they represent expertise spanning management, live events, media, artist development and community-led initiatives.
A major highlight of the programme is the MOBO Summit in association with Amazon Music, taking place on Tuesday 24 March at Aviva Studios, home of Factory International.
The summit will bring together artists, executives and emerging creatives for a day of panels, workshops and networking focused on the future of music, culture and creative careers. Highlights from the programme include the MOBO30 Legacy Spotlight, with iconic artists (to be announced) celebrating 30 years of the MOBO movement and its cultural impact. The Getting Seen and Heard panel with industry figures will discuss how artists break through and build audiences today. The Independently Done panel features artists sharing how they sustain careers outside major labels. Cultural discussions featuring Red Bull, the playmaker group and BBC Music Introducing also spotlight the growing influence of Northern music scenes, with a conversation examining how cities like Manchester are driving new energy and opportunities in the UK industry, alongside a wider discussion on the future of diversity in music.
MOBOLISE x Salesforce AI will host discussions exploring AI, inclusive leadership and future-ready skills, with networking facilitated by Afrosocial UK. The evening will conclude with the MOBO x PPL Manchester Talent Development Programme showcase, presenting ten emerging Manchester artists to an invited industry showcase. MOBOLISE is excited to welcome their partner Salesforce to the MOBO Fringe Summit in Manchester for a series of panels and conversations. The MOBOLISE AI for Good Summit, part of the MOBO Fringe Festival, brings together diverse professionals, creatives and entrepreneurs for panels, focusing on career pathways, inclusive leadership and future-ready skills and networking facilitated by Afrosocial UK. This partnership with Salesforce focuses on visibility, free access to Trailhead courses and real community impact, supporting inclusive employment, AI innovation and long-term opportunities.
Education and youth engagement also sit at the heart of MOBO Fringe 2026. Activity will include school tours at Co-op Live and a recording session at the adidas x Abbey Road Studios space inside the arena, where young people from Contact Theatre’s Studio School will record new verses inspired by Nas’ classic track “I Can.” Alongside this, led by One Education Music MCR and supported by Sing Up Music, more than 70 primary schools and the gospel choir from Trinity High School have been learning “Optimistic” by Sounds of Blackness.
Building on the success of MOBO Fringe 2025 in Newcastle, which attracted thousands of attendees and generated an estimated £1 million in combined economic and social impact for the North East, the Manchester edition expands the model through deeper local collaboration and commissioning.
MOBO Fringe 2026 positions the programme not just as a festival, but a city-wide cultural moment that connects grassroots creativity, industry opportunity and community celebration.
Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO, MOBO Awards, said: “Bringing the MOBO Awards to Manchester in our 30th anniversary year is incredibly meaningful for us. Manchester is a city with a proud history of shaping music, culture and movements, and MOBO Fringe allows us to celebrate that energy in a way that goes far beyond one night.
Over the course of a week, the city will become a platform for artists, creatives and communities, from grassroots talent to industry leaders, all coming together to share ideas, create opportunities and celebrate the power of Black music and culture.
What makes MOBO Fringe special is that it is built with the city and by working with local creatives, organisations and community leaders, we are creating something that reflects Manchester’s voice while opening doors for the next generation.”
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “As a proudly diverse city known around the world for our music, creativity and talent, we’re thrilled to be hosting both the MOBO Awards and this year’s MOBO Fringe here in Manchester as they mark an incredible 30 years of celebrating Black music and culture.
“Supporting emerging talent and our grassroots music scene in Manchester is really important to us and the MOBO Fringe is set to provide some amazing opportunities that do just that in the run-up to the awards for our schools, young musicians, and others, alongside an unmissable wider programme of free activities across the city for our local communities and visitors to get involved in.“
To register for free tickets and view the full programme, please visit: mobo.com/fringe. Follow @mobofringe on social media and download the MOBOLISE app for live updates throughout Awards week.
Programme Highlights:
Thursday 19 March – The Black Sound Gala (Whitworth Gallery)
The official launch of MOBO Fringe 2026, delivered in partnership with Black Creative Trailblazers. The evening celebrates the journey of Black music through choir performance, saxophone, tribal drumming, spoken word and more at one of Manchester’s most popular galleries.
Friday 20 March – SHIMRISE Selects (Deaf Institute)
SHIMRISE Selects returns for its fourth instalment as part of MOBO Fringe week, continuing powerhouse Mancunian DJ and production duo Shimrise’s mission to spotlight the Black talent shaping the future of UK house music. Curated by SHIMRISE, the night brings together an exciting cross-city line up spanning Manchester, Birmingham and London featuring sets from SHIMRISE alongside Omari, Kieron Dacapo and Meeshy – artists pushing the sound of house forward while staying rooted in its Black origins.
Saturday 21 March – MOBØRIGINS (Renae)
54 Agency, broadcaster Amelia Fearon (transmission/archive.) and We Generate’s Adele Tondu (Melophile) present a multidisciplinary collaboration at music-led bar Renae. The evening features transmission/archive. in conversation sessions with Ellen Beth Abdi, Art Not Evidence and legendary DJ Paulette, lead by Amelia Fearon with additional contributors to be confirmed, alongside an exploration of self exhibition curated by Jahqira (54 Agency), a soundscape by Josh Inyang (Space Afrika), plus an indie, alternative and neo soul live lounge, and a Melophile club night with back to back DJs.
Saturday 21 March – Habitat x MOBO Fringe (Cupra City Garage)
Manchester club brand Habitat, led by Tone Rarri and AK Gramm, takes over Cupra City Garage with a showcase featuring a special secret headliner (a MOBO nominee & one of the biggest names in Funky House & UK music.) Full renowned Habitat club energy to be expected with Faro holding down hosting duties, alongside bright emerging talents in Pooch and Sharari.
Sunday 22 March – Manchester Made: Roots, Rhymes & The Future (Niamos Centre)
Studio 88 will deliver a live cultural legacy event, headline showcase and MOBO Fringe cypher celebrating Manchester’s past, present and future; a heritage, emerging talent and future creative focused activation at the Niamos Centre, an iconic venue where Nina Simone once performed, which is now an important community run hub. Here, Studio 88 will be highlighting its role as Manchester’s leading independent recording studio and creative enterprise supporting emerging and established Black talent across the region.
Sunday 22 March – Aarchive House & Crib Sessions with Faro (Side Street)
Presented by Aaspire Records, Aarchive House is an interactive listening session with a house party element, showcasing unreleased music directly from artists’ vaults, featuring live feedback and audience Q&A alongside feature writer and broadcaster Amelia Fearon.
Later in the evening, Crib Sessions with Faro takes over Side Street bringing house party energy with a curated kickback where attendees can chill, connect, play games, and enjoy live entertainment. Top DJs will spin a no‑skip soundtrack, creating a space for emerging talent, established creatives and music lovers to experience the city’s sounds in an intimate and high‑energy setting. The event will also feature host of the Pyjamas Club and content creator Romy Gama and host of Crib Sessions, Manchester creative Faro, in conversation.
Tuesday 24 March – MOBO Summit in association with Amazon Music (Aviva Studios, home of Factory International)
A day of panels, workshops and networking bringing together artists, executives and emerging creatives, including Amazon Music partner programming, alongside MOBOLISE x Salesforce AI sessions. The evening will see the MOBO Fringe x PPL Manchester Talent Programme Showcase, presenting ten Manchester artists to invited industry.
For three decades, MOBO has championed Black music and culture across the UK and beyond, advocating for greater diversity and inclusion within the music industry. Bringing the MOBO Awards to Manchester for the first time reflects the city’s cultural influence and its role in shaping national music conversations.
MOBO Fringe 2026 ensures the awards extend far beyond a single night. Through live performance, education, industry engagement and community led programming, the initiative creates lasting opportunity, amplifies underrepresented voices and strengthens pathways for emerging talent across the region.
The MOBO Awards takes place at Manchester’s Co-op Live on Thursday 26 March. Tickets are on sale now.
Amazon Music will livestream the 2026 MOBO Awards live from Co-op Live in Manchester as the Official Digital Music Streaming Partner. The ceremony will be available to watch on the Amazon Music UK channel on Twitch from 8.00PM GMT on 26 March. For more information, including the livestream and playlists, visit the event detail page here.
For MOBO Awards media enquiries, contact The Outside Organisation:
David Lim – [email protected]
Suzie Fellows – [email protected]
MOBO – [email protected]
Follow MOBO Awards:
YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook | Website | MOBOLISE
About MOBO:
Since 1996, the MOBO Organisation has discovered and supported talent in music, film and TV. MOBO operates 365 days a year to create events, content, partnerships and opportunities for young people in the entertainment industries and beyond. For close to 30 years, the MOBO Awards has remained a significant cultural event in the British music industry, celebrating excellence in Black music and culture. Its enduring legacy as the premiere outlet for recognising and honouring the artistic achievement of exceptional British and international talent in Hip-Hop, Grime, R&B and Soul, Reggae, Jazz, Electronic/Dance, Alternative, Gospel and African music has been unparalleled. Global superstars who have been part of the Awards include Janet Jackson, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Sade, Lionel Richie, Beyoncé, Jay Z, Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, Usher, Rihanna, Cardi B, Davido and H.E.R., just to name a few. The Awards has proudly been hosted all over the United Kingdom over the years including shows in London, Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow, Coventry and Sheffield. Beyond the Awards, MOBO supports undiscovered talent in music via MOBO UnSung, and across the wider creative and tech industries MOBO supports and connects career opportunities for Black talent via MOBOLISE, a platform to empower diversity, excellence and transformation in the workplace.
Notes to Editors:
About Amazon Music
Amazon Music is an immersive audio entertainment service that connects fans, artists, and creators through music, podcasts, and culture. Amazon Music brings fans closer to what they love, with curated and personalized playlists, artist livestreams, artist merch, and Amazon Exclusive podcasts. Prime members get access to over 100 million songs in shuffle mode, All-Access playlists, plus the largest catalogue of ad-free top podcasts, included with their membership. Customers can upgrade to Amazon Music Unlimited for full, on-demand access to 100 million songs, as well as millions of songs in HD, Ultra HD, and Spatial audio, and the world’s largest selection of audiobooks from Audible. Anyone can listen to Amazon Music by downloading the free Amazon Music app, or wherever they listen to music, including Alexa-enabled devices. Learn more at amazon.co.uk/music.
About Manchester Music City
Manchester Music City is a network of people and organisations working together to support and amplify Manchester’s music scene, locally and worldwide. Supported by Manchester City Council, Manchester Music City is a member of the international Music Cities Network, a transnational network of global cities committed to working together to harness the power of music and music industries to support the success of our cities.
Since its inception in 2019, Manchester Music City has commissioned research into the city’s grassroots music venues, supported grassroots music initiatives and facilitated global exchange programmes for emerging independent artists and businesses. In 2024, Manchester Music City played a leading role in delivering WOMEX (Worldwide Music Expo) in the city, and continues to work to attract and support major national and international music events in Manchester, including The BRIT Awards and the MOBO Awards.
MCR MOBO Fringe Assembly 2026
About Studio 88: Founded by Darrius Stewart, Studio 88 is Manchester’s leading independent recording studio and creative enterprise supporting emerging and established talent across music, media and live production. Since its launch, Studio 88 has worked with over 5,000 creatives, platformed more than 500 artists, delivered over 50 live shows and produced more than 100 radio broadcasts. It operates across recording and production, live talent development through NXT UP, broadcast via Unity Radio, publishing access through Sentric Music Publishing, and strategic cultural partnerships including projects with Puma, Cre8ing Vision and Factory International.
About 54 Agency: 54 began as a synonym for founder Jahqira’s works surrounding creative direction and production of grassroots art. Developing into an open and evolving framework, 54 formed as a symbol of shared experimentation, performance and dialogue, seeking to facilitate and serve as a binder for artistic expression and in person interaction. Working methods highlight Process Art, authenticity, grassroots and collective narratives, and intends to build a sustainable cultural system surrounding the Arts. 54 Production House formed in 2024, collectively led by Gabriel, Jahqira, Josh Inyang and Tibyan Sanoh. Working across industries and mediums to create bodies of works presenting deep rooted contemporary realities and the essence of the North of England through production and storytelling.
About SHIMRISE: SHIMRISE are a Mancunian female house duo blending percussive Latin house, UK funky, minimal house and tech house. They have performed at Warehouse Project and Parklife Festival and shared stages with Tarsza, Jamz Supernova and SOLARDO..
About Habitat: Habitat is a Manchester club brand led by Tone Rarri and AK Gramm, providing space for community led music experiences. The platform has collaborated with Warehouse Project, Rinse FM, HUGO and others, and has hosted artists including Beenie Man, Sainte, Jarreau Vandal and Children of Zeus.
About Black Creative Trailblazers: Black Creative Trailblazers is a social enterprise dedicated to showcasing and supporting Black creatives across disciplines, breaking down barriers and creating sustainable opportunities for talent.
About Adele Tondu: Adele Tondu is Head of Brand Partnerships at We Generate and a freelance consultant specialising in strategic collaborations between brands and the media and music industries. She is also a DJ and founder of Melophile, an event concept celebrating connection through sound.
About Amelia Fearon: Amelia Fearon is a Manchester based music writer and broadcast journalist specialising in contemporary music, culture and identity. Her bylines include The Guardian, Dazed, Rolling Stone and Wax Poetics.
About Faro: Karl John, known as Faro, is a Manchester based creative whose career spans MCing, directing music videos and hosting major festival stages including Red Bull Freeze Festival, Creamfields and Parklife. In 2026, he launched Crib Sessions through MOBO Fringe.
ENDS
