A major search for the next big music talent from Bristol has got underway, with the opportunity for young singers, rappers and MCs to take their music career to the next level.
Some of the leading music figures in the city that produced everyone from Tricky and Massive Attack to George Ezra and Yola are coming together as part of a programme to develop new artists and give them a platform and mentoring over the next 18 months.
The Big Team and Bristol Beacon are running their ‘Next Level’ artist development programme for the fourth year, and applications to join it opened this week. It’s open to any artists aged between 18 and 30 who are making original music.
Previous artists involved in the Next Level programme have performed at the likes of the Love Saves The Day, the Bristol Harbour Festival and the Bristol Beacon, and with support from leading music organisations in the city, like Team Love, SWU.FM and the Bristol Beacon, the programme is described as an ‘amazing opportunity for local grassroots artists to take a big step in their music careers, with loads of support from industry pros’
“This project will support the cohort on their journey to become independent artists and encourage intergenerational collaboration and community,” a spokesperson explained. “The artist development programme, Next Level, has been designed to nurture Bristol’s next wave of artists in the city. Next Level is all about collaboration between artists and industry friends alike. This project is designed for solo or duo artists, who create rap, grime, hip hop, electronic, R&B, or pop music,” she added.
The application period began on Thursday and will run until Thursday, February 13. “During the project, participants will engage with a music writing and producing week supported by industry mentors such as Sam Interface, N.Y.T.A, Javeon, NGAIO, Dread MC, and Grove; leading on to a showcase performance at Bristol Beacon, radio show features, industry workshops hosted by creative professionals performance opportunities and a chance to connect and grow in the Next Level community.
“This offering will be over an 18-month period, which will prepare the cohort for festival performances in summer season 2025 and 2026. Artists from the previous years will be invited back to industry tailored workshops and collaborative opportunities, supported by Big Team.
The programme’s lead is Lucy Caswell, the outreach lead is Jazpa Taylor and Javeon McCarthy is the progressions and pathways person from Big Team. They said it was about giving opportunities to new talent.
“Bristol’s music scene thrives on collaboration and innovation,” they said. “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,” they added. The application form to get involved is here.