The MOBO Awards Fringe has arrived in Manchester, bringing a week of live performances, talks and industry-led events ahead of this year’s ceremony.
The main MOBO Awards 2026 event takes place on 26th March at the Co-Op Live Arena, with a line-up that includes Olivia Dean, Tiwa Savage, FLO, and a special Grime 25 celebration. Running alongside it, the Fringe programme offers a more grassroots perspective, focused on emerging talent and community engagement.
Designed to connect new artists with industry professionals, the MOBO Fringe has hosted a series of events across the city, spanning multiple genres and disciplines. The programme now reaches its conclusion with a final run of showcases and panels.
On 24th March, a ten-artist line-up of Manchester-based acts will take to the stage at The Social, Aviva Studios. The event forms part of the MOBO x PPL Manchester Talent Development Programme, which supports rising artists through mentorship, industry insight and performance opportunities.
Alongside the live showcase, the MOBO Summit, held at The Hall in Aviva Studios, offers a full day of panels and masterclasses in association with Amazon Music.
Highlights include the Amazon Music MOBO30 Legacy Spotlight featuring Lemar and Lisa Maffia, alongside discussions focused on visibility and independence with contributors from Amazon Music, Mixtape Madness, I Luv Live and Independently Done. Additional sessions bring together artists and industry figures such as Donae’O, namesbliss and TuneCore’s Sarah Wilson.
Practical workshops are also central to the programme, covering areas such as self-releasing music, distribution and financial sustainability for creatives. Sessions led by ELIJAH, Mike Burgess and Small Green Shoots aim to provide tangible guidance for artists navigating the industry.
With the Fringe programme closing this week, the focus now turns to the main awards ceremony on 26th March.
