Bristol Beacon partners with AIM on Above The Noise - a new music industry event for Bristol

20 February 2025 - Press release

The award-winning music venue and music education hub will collaborate with The Association of Independent Music (AIM), the not-for-profit organisation representing and championing the UK’s independent music sector, to present a one-day event for artists and music industry professionals on Thursday 3 April at Bristol Beacon.

The new music industry event, called ‘Above The Noise’, is designed to connect Bristol’s thriving community of music creatives and professionals with the modern music industry. The day will give artists and professionals working as managers or in record labels, marketing or PR the chance to hear from top industry experts from key music organisations including Help Musicians and PRS Foundation, among others, through a series of talks, workshops and panel sessions.

As well as collaborating on this flagship event, AIM has set up a base at Bristol Beacon for its work with the creative community in Bristol and the South West of England. AIM’s Bristol-based Events Manager Simon Metcalfe regularly operates from the venue’s developing co-working space to engage with local musicians, music businesses and entrepreneurs.

The partnership is overseen by Bristol Beacon’s Creative Producer Owen Parry and Chief Executive Simon Wales alongside AIM’s Director of Business Development & Partnerships Ben Wynter. It brings new strength and support to Bristol Beacon’s Talent Development programme, which provides emerging artists and industry professionals with the tools they need for a successful career in the music industry. It also underscores AIM’s dedication to serving members across all nations and regions of the UK by developing networks, fostering entrepreneurship and facilitating greater access to resources and knowledge. 

Owen Parry, Creative Producer at Bristol Beacon, said, “It's wonderful to be launching Above The Noise in collaboration with AIM. This event is a launchpad for what promises to be a fruitful partnership that will bring huge value and new possibilities to our work supporting Bristol’s thriving music scene. AIM’s expertise and network of leading commercial independent music businesses and entrepreneurs complements ours within the live music and talent development sectors. Music professionals attending Above The Noise will get the benefit of our combined knowledge and insight, and have the chance to connect with a national network of professionals and key industry players.  

“I’m extremely grateful to Ben, Gee, and Simon for being so open to ideas in establishing this partnership. I’m really looking forward to discovering how we can develop our work together, and provide lasting impact for the region’s music industry”.

Ben Wynter, Director of Business Development & Partnerships at AIM, commented: “We’re delighted to kick off AIM’s partnership with Bristol Beacon with the inaugural edition of Above The Noise. Collaborating with Bristol Beacon’s community of talented creatives and industry professionals opens new opportunities for AIM members beyond the capital, while driving forward our mission to develop sustainable economies and ecosystems across the UK. This conference will shine a spotlight on the exceptional talent emerging from Bristol and help AIM tap into local networks, further strengthening the industry in the South West. A huge thank you to Owen and the team at Bristol Beacon for sharing the vision and working tirelessly to make this partnership a reality.”

Full details of the programme for ‘Above The Noise’ will be announced in the coming weeks. The event has been made possible thanks to funding from PRS Foundation’s Talent Development Network. 

Tickets for the event are now on sale and cost £10 including booking fee, or an open concession of £7 including booking fee, and are available from https://bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/above-the-noise.