Generator Live Conference 2026 Mercury Prize Fringe

The Generator Live Conference 2026 Mercury Prize Fringe takes over Neville Hall on Westgate Road on Wednesday 21 October, running from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. It's a full day of conference panels, conversations and behind-the-scenes insights from artists and industry leaders shaping what comes next, with special guests and plenty of chances to connect. The whole thing is aimed at anyone making music, building a career or just getting started.

Because it's a full day, you've got a few ways to do it. You can commit to the whole thing from start to finish, or just drop in for the panels and conversations that interest you most. The format is built around those panels and talks, so it's more about listening and learning than sitting through a single long presentation. The artists and industry leaders on the panels talk through how they work and what they're seeing in the music scene, and the behind-the-scenes insights are where you get a look at the practical side of things rather than just the finished product.

There are special guests throughout the day, and the organisers have built in plenty of time to connect with other people. If you're making music or starting out, that's often the most useful part — being in the same room as people who are doing the same thing and the people who help make it happen. It's as much about the people you meet in the breaks as it is about the panels themselves.

It's free to attend, so there's no ticket price to worry about. The day runs from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at Neville Hall, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1SE.