Music / Emerging artists
Emerging talent programme open for applications
A collaboration of some of the biggest and best in Bristol music has issued a call out to the city’s emerging talent to step up and make themselves known.
Headed up by Bristol Beacon and Big Team – who work to improve representation in the creative industries – Next Level is on the hunt for solo and duo artists creating original music to apply for its comprehensive artist development programme.
Applications are welcome from vocalists and MCs in the 18-30 age bracket who are creating hip hop, grime, electronic, R&B or pop music and want to take their career up a notch.
is needed now More than ever
Over 18 months the selected artists will take part in writing and production workshops run by industry mentors including Sam Interface, N.Y.T.A, Javeon, NGAIO, Dread MC, and GROVE, leading up to a performance showcase at Bristol Beacon.
Laura Dia was part of the 2024 Next Level cohort which performed on the Love Saves the Day mainstage
Big Team says the programme aims to “help advance the artist’s creative development through building confidence and connection whilst enhancing their writing, recording, performance, and promotional skills.”
With support from Pirate Studios, SWU.FM, Hey? What!, Out Of Hand and others the programme will get the cohort ‘festival ready’ in time for the 2025 and 2026 summer seasons of shows.
It’s the fourth year of the programme for Bristol’s grassroots modern music-making talent. Last year Ava Zarate, Laura Dia, Marns, Rellz & YB Micz, Sambee and Ssadcharlie were selected to take part.
All the 2024 artists, including Sambee, had the opportunity to perform at Love Saves the Day and this year’s cohort will be offered festival slots as well as live radio broadcasts, studio time, wellbeing support and advice on navigating the industry
Lucy Caswell, Jazpa Taylor and Javeon McCarthy of Big Team said: “Bristol’s music scene thrives on collaboration and innovation and it’s always been a key focus of Big Team CIC to support grassroots and underrepresented artists and creatives in the city who are trying to break into the music and festival industry, through our Next Level project and our other pillars of work.
“Our aim with Next Level is to create a space for artists to connect, learn and grow alongside industry professionals who are making their mark on the scene.”
Applications went live on Thursday and are open until February 13. Find out more at bristolbeacon.org/support-for-creatives/next-level and apply for Next Level here.
All images: Big Team photographers at Love Saves the Day
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