It is operated by MAMA Festivals and showcases new music[1][2] from a variety of genres.

The festival was founded in 2006 and hosts roughly 500 bands across 30 venues throughout the city.

[2][3][4] There is also a music industry convention section to the event,[2] which is attended by over 4000 delegates.

[5] In 2024, over half of the lineup signed an open letter to the festival to drop Barclaycard as a sponsor[6][7] due to its involvement in the supply of arms to Israeli military forces.

[8][9] Over 163 bands pulled out of the festival in protest, resulting in the opening showcase being cancelled.