Brand new grant launched today to help emerging artists and labels in Bristol

Brand new grant launched today to help emerging artists and labels in Bristol

Posted on: 13 Feb 2023

Named Future Sound of Bristol, the programme is offering support to creative musicians and record labels in Bristol and the surrounding area.

 

Applications for Future Sound of Bristol open on Monday 13 February and close on Monday 10 April with winners announced on Friday 21 April. 

 

There are £10,000 in prize money up for grabs as well as 100 hours of rehearsal time at Barton Hill’s Factory Studios. The aim of the initiative is to provide an essential boost to Bristol’s creative community affected by the pandemic and the ongoing Cost of Living Crisis.

 

Aspiring musicians and record labels can apply for the grant HERE.

 

Spearheaded by Audiotarky, a Bristol-based ethical music streaming platform, and Factory Studios, a creative space in the heart of the city, the programme looks to celebrate Bristol’s musical talent and build a thriving community of independent artists and labels.

 

To participate in the scheme, local artists and labels must upload their music to Audiotarky, explain how they would use their share of the prize pool and share their entry to their fans on social media. The top 25 entries will be carefully chosen based on a blend of social media engagements and music streaming time on Audiotarky during the competition period. 

 

A panel of guest judges including Elder Island’s David Havard, Trinity's Aysha Tailor-Whyte, award-winning record producer Ali Chant, Bristol International Music Ambassador - DJ Bunjy from Laid Blak, and the Night Time Economy Advisor for Bristol - Carly Heath, will select 5 winners based on merit and proposed plans for the prize money.

Some of the prizes include £5,000 and a 1-month membership at Factory Studios for first place, £2,000 and 6 sessions at Factory for second place, and 3 prizes of £1,000 and 3 Factory sessions for third place. 

 

Through this, Future Sound of Bristol aims to provide funding and studio resources for the winners and level up their musical projects in the process. 

 

While the competition is centred around Bristol, independent UK musicians and labels from further afield are encouraged to participate, particularly those who are currently underrepresented in the music industry. 

Organisers hope that the competition will feature a broad range of genres, reflecting the diverse and vibrant music scene that the city is renowned for.

 

Applications open today (Monday 13 February) and close on Monday 10 April and winners will be announced on Friday 21 April. For more information and to enter, visit the Future Sound of Bristol website.

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Article by:

Stanley Gray

Stan is a born and bred Bristolian, recently graduated from studying English Literature in Sheffield. His passions are music and literature and he spends the majority of his time in venues all over the city, immersing himself in Bristol’s alternative music scene. A lifelong Bristol City fan, Stan’s Saturdays are spent watching his team both home and away.