Ticketmaster unveils Breakthrough list for 2025
Ticketmaster has revealed the 10 Breakthrough acts in the UK & Ireland it is tipping to make a splash on the live scene next year.
The ticketing company’s annual hand-picked selection includes London R&B singer-songwriter Myles Smith, who was recently announced as the winner of the BRITs’ Rising Star award for 2025.
The list also includes indie pop hopeful Alessi Rose, Irish folk trio TikTok stars Amble, alt-rock guitarist Aziya, West London rapper KiLLOWEN, former The Voice UK contestant LYVIA, Irish pop-punk singer, Orla Gartland, garage star and bassline producer Sammy Virji, jazz vocalist Sienna Spiro – Soulful vocalist and Scottish indie band Swim School.
“Supporting artists at this stage of their journey is a huge part of what we do at Ticketmaster”
“These 10 acts are bringing something fresh, real, and exciting to the music scene – they’re exactly the kind of talent fans crave right now,” says Ticketmaster UK MD Andrew Parsons. “Supporting artists at this stage of their journey is a huge part of what we do at Ticketmaster, giving them a platform to connect with bigger audiences. We can’t wait to see the heights they hit in 2025.”
Acts to have made the cut in previous years include two-time MOBO Award winner Central Cee, double BRIT Award winners Wet Leg, BRITs Rising Star 2023 winners FLO, and most recently The Last Dinner Party, whose debut album topped the UK Albums Chart this year.
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Liveurope’s €2.8m EU funding boost for new talent
Venue association Liveurope has been awarded €2.8 million funding from the EU to continue its mission to showcase emerging European talent.
The platform, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, was established via the European Union’s Creative Europe programme and allocates funding to members based on the number of emerging European acts they book.
According to the organisation, the model has led to a 63% increase in non-national European artists programmed on average compared to before they became a member.
“In times where artists increasingly rely on touring to make a living, production costs for gigs continue to explode, and multinational conglomerates dominate more and more the live music value chain, Liveurope’s mission, to support venues to take risks and invest in the next generation of European artists, gains a whole new meaning,” says Liveurope’s general coordinator Fernando Bittencourt Hersan.
“Liveurope has made a tremendous difference for the music scene in Europe”
It marks the fourth consecutive time that Liveurope, which represents a network of 24 venues across the continent, has had its EU funding renewed. And with the €2.8m grant now secured for 2025-2028, the platform is set to reach a milestone of 8,000 supported concerts by the end of the grant period.
“Liveurope has made a tremendous difference for the music scene in Europe,” adds Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen, director general of the European Commission’s directorate-general for education, youth, sport and culture. “It has made a huge contribution to thousands of emerging artists it has supported, fostering the power of music to inspire and unite.”
The platform has supported more than 5,000 concerts with new European talent over the past decade, including now established names such as Hania Rani (PL), Altın Gün (NL) and MØ (DK). Members include Docks Lausanne, Ancienne Belgique in Brussels and Luxembourg’s Rockhal.
The new funding cycle will also focus on sustainability and inclusivity, with Liveurope planning to collect data to promote sustainable touring practices and encourage the use of greener transport options. A Keychange pledge signatory, Liveurope is also aiming for 50% of the acts supported to reflect gender balance by 2028.
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ATL Sweden partners on new artist initiative
All Things Live (ATL) Sweden is partnering with Swedish travel company SJ on a joint effort to promote and break new acts on the live scene.
The New Things Live initiative will make four stops in in autumn and winter of 2024, with events in Örebro, Stockholm, Gothenburg and Oslo – each featuring a unique artist lineup.
“With New Things Live, we enable an important step for artists on the journey towards the country’s biggest stages,” says Linus Bertholdsson, creative concept developer at ATL Sweden. “In the coming months, we will give a line-up of exciting live acts the chance to continue meeting and building their audience at gigs and festivals around the country.”
The first stop will be at the Live at Heart festival, which runs from in Örebro from 11-14 September, which will showcase acts such as Oscar Zia, Emilia Pantic and Fabräk.
“It feels really exciting to be able to give some of music’s future names the chance to take that last step towards the biggest audiences”
SJ, which already has longstanding partnerships with Way Out West and Åre Sessions, has commented its latest investment in the country’s live music sector.
“It feels really exciting to be able to give some of music’s future names the chance to take that last step towards the biggest audiences,” says Amanda Swenzén, who is responsible for collaborations at SJ.
“We are proud to be able to make another contribution for both artist and live audience. Music means so much to both people and society, it moves Sweden forward in a truly unique way.”
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Broadwick Live launches new music initiative
Broadwick Live, the UK promoter and venue operator behind Printworks, Drumsheds and Field Day Festival, is launching a new music initiative.
Under the banner Broadwick Live Presents, the firm will collaborate with some of London’s best-loved clubs to foster up-and-coming talent and “make a healthy contribution to club culture”.
The first collection of shows launch in October and include Otik at the Carpet Shop in Peckham, D.O.D at Phonox and Nils Hoffmann at Electric Brixton.
The firm says the new endeavor will “connect the dots in a new way” by engaging venues operating at all levels, as well as a range of artists from emerging to established talent.
“With one eye firmly on the future, our Broadwick Live Presents events reflect our passion and dedication towards ensuring the most exciting emerging talent in electronic music achieve their potential,” says Jeff Gray, BWL head of music.
“These events reflect our dedication towards ensuring the most exciting emerging talent in electronic music achieve their potential”
“This will involve us hosting events across our favourite London venues, all of which are equally committed to pushing the dance music scene forward. We can’t wait to get started…”
Other Broadwick Live Presents shows include tech-house stalwart Tita Lau at giant warehouse venue E1, DJ and producer hitty at St John’s Hackney and pop-rock band SWIM at the Carpet Shop.
Broadwick Live recently expanded out of London into New York, US, via a transatlantic partnership with independent live music firm TCE Presents.
Together, they have opened a new 5,000-capacity venue in the Brooklyn Navy Yard called Brooklyn Storehouse, which will host concerts from Justice, Charlotte de Witte and Eric Prdyz in the coming months.
See the full list of Broadwick Live Presents shows here:
SWIM @ Carpet Shop [03/10/24]
D.O.D @ Phonox [05/10/24]
Otik Live @ Carpet Shop [10/10/24]
Tita Lau @ E1 [11/10/24]
hitty @ St Johns Hackney [30/11/24]
Nils Hoffmann @ Electric Brixton [07/12/24]
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Heathrow’s Terminal 5 introduces live music stage
London’s Heathrow Airport has teamed with global music events company Sofar Sounds to curate its new Terminal 5 stage throughout the summer.
The Heathrow Introducing Stage is designed to showcase a diverse range of emerging British talent spanning pop, jazz, folk, R&B, soul and rock.
The first performances took place last night (25 June) during one of Heathrow’s busiest weeks in history, with 1.8 million passengers expected to pass through the airport. Acts included acoustic rock band China Bears, folk singer-songwriter The Halfway Kid and R&B artist Olivia Nelson.
“The Heathrow Introducing stage isn’t just about providing entertainment, it’s about propelling careers to new heights,” says Karoline Komolafe of Sofar Sounds. “It’s a game-changer for those aiming to break into the industry, especially with festival season at its peak, offering exposure to execs travelling through the hub – you can only get this at Heathrow.”
Sofar Sounds has hosted gigs with artists including Ed Sheeran, Billie Eilish, Leon Bridges, Hozier and Wolf Alice. since launching in 2009.
“We’ve loved picking out who we think are the most promising and genuinely exciting acts that are starting out right now”
“We’ve loved picking out who we think are the most promising and genuinely exciting acts that are starting out right now, and I think Heathrow passengers are going to have a brilliant time at the gigs,” adds Komolafe.
The Heathrow Introducing Stage will return for further performances next month on Friday 12 July and Wednesday 24 July. A record 30 million passengers are set to travel through Heathrow this summer.
“Heathrow has long been hailed as the UK’s gateway to the world,” says Heathrow’s director of services Tonia Fielding. “We’re proud that we’re providing people from around the globe the chance to experience the best of Britain’s emerging musical talent and a taste of UK culture from the moment they reach the airport, while helping British talent supercharge their careers at the same time.
“We’re gearing up for the busiest summer on record, meaning we can give artists on the Heathrow Introducing stage massive audiences to play to. As we strive to be an extraordinary airport, delivering the best travel experience in the UK, initiatives like this support our commitment to culture, innovation and excellence.”
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First acts revealed for ILMC’s London Calling 2024
The first wave of artists have been announced for the return of ILMC’s London Calling, which returns for its second edition on Wednesday 28 February.
The central London showcase will bring 18 emerging artists to five stages across Soho: The 100 Club, 21 Soho, The Lower Third, Phoenix Arts Club and The Spice of Life.
The first artists announced to take part are MAVICA, The New Eves, freekind, Forgetting The Future, b1n0 and Lala Hayden, with the latter two acts presented by The Spanish Wave and Mad Cool Festival.
A core element of the 2024 International Live Music Conference programme, ILMC Delegate Pass holders will be able to access the shows for free by showing their pass. Entry will be permitted on a first come, first served basis.
London Calling debuted last year across four Soho venues, with 16 artists representing multiple international markets
A limited number of all-venue wristbands are also available for non-delegates, priced £30, granting access to all five venues throughout the evening. Tickets for The 100 Club and The Lower Third go on sale on Wednesday 7 February.
London Calling debuted last year across four Soho venues, with 16 artists representing multiple international markets.
ILMC will welcome over 1,400 of the world’s top live music professionals from over 50 countries to its 36th edition when it returns to the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London between 27 Feb and 1 March.
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LN’s Ones To Watch programme expands to Singapore
Live Nation’s global artist discovery platform Ones To Watch is launching in Singapore following its success across Australia, New Zealand, Mainland China and Hong Kong.
First launched in the US in 2017, Ones To Watch is dedicated to introducing new artists and their music to fans via exclusive interviews, playlists, live performances, and other creative music content.
The platform has previously helped kickstart the careers of global acts such as Halsey, Dua Lipa, Lany and Yungblud.
“The launch of Ones To Watch Singapore will play a vital role in launching world-class Singaporean talent onto an international stage”
“The launch of Ones To Watch Singapore will play a vital role in launching world-class Singaporean talent onto an international stage,” says KwangHwa Ngiam, MD of Live Nation Singapore. “The programme provides these emerging artists the opportunity to connect with music fans and leverage Live Nation’s global network to develop their professional careers within the music industry.”
Ones To Watch Singapore will kick off with a live showcase event on 26 September at SCAPE, featuring performances from emerging Southeast Asian talent Soph T (Singapore), J.M3 (Singapore) and Muzza (Malaysia), as part of the All That Matters conference and festival.
The scheme will also continue to work with up-and-coming talents to encourage career growth and fan connection.
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Live Nation launches Hong Kong discovery platform
Live Nation is launching its global online artist discovery platform Ones To Watch in Hong Kong.
First launched in the US in 2017, the initiative has also run in Australia, New Zealand and China, and is designed to showcase emerging local talent with the support of Live Nation’s global network.
Ones To Watch introduces new artists to fans globally via exclusive interviews, playlists, live performances and other creative music content, and has helped progress the careers of Halsey, Dua Lipa, Lany and Yungblud, among others.
“The Ones To Watch programme plays an important role in Hong Kong by providing a platform that focuses on the professional development of homegrown acts”
“At Live Nation we are committed to supporting emerging local artists, bringing the best new talent to Hong Kong music fans,” says Live Nation Hong Kong MD Joanna Yuen. “The Ones To Watch programme plays an important role in Hong Kong by providing a platform that focuses on the professional development of homegrown acts, providing them with new audiences and launching them on to an international stage.”
Ones To Watch Hong Kong hosted its first live showcase event at the inaugural 852fes Awaken Festival at the AsiaWorld-Expo from 12-14 August. The collaboration stage featured emerging domestic acts, including Ng Lam Fung, Chanka, Lowa, Cath Wong, Jamie, Michael C and Lil’ Ashes.
Ones To Watch Hong Kong will continue to work with up-and-coming local talent to encourage career growth and fan connection.
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Roundhouse Rising offers £1 tickets for under 30s
London’s Roundhouse has announced a partnership with Vice Media Group for the Roundhouse Rising Festival 2022.
The five-day emerging music event will take place at the 3,000-cap Camden venue from 4-8 October, with £1 tickets available across all shows to people aged 30 and under in response to the cost of living crisis.
Vice will curate the festival’s opening night, with the first names to be confirmed including Brooklyn multi-hyphenate artist and creator Talia Goddess, multidisciplinary artist Loshh and vocalist India Shan, who was handpicked from Roundhouse’s Resident Artists programme.
“Rising Festival is where Roundhouse comes into its own, as a home for incredible music experiences and also a world-class creative programme for young people,” says Roundhouse head of music Lucy Wood. “Rising develops, platforms and celebrates talent of the future, and I’m excited that Vice’s involvement will amplify this. We do a lot of excellent things at the Roundhouse, but this is definitely my favourite.”
As part of the new link-up, Vice’s music channel Noisey will also profile a number of Rising Festival’s featured artists as well as publishing additional editorial coverage across a range of Vice platforms.
“Vice is synonymous with finding new voices and providing a platform for diverse communities and individuals,” says Nadja White, chief marketing officer of Vice Media Group. “We are delighted to be working with Roundhouse to support the next generation of artists, providing a global platform for new talent and bringing in new audiences through our award-winning content.”
Roundhouse Rising’s subsequent three nights will be curated by BBC Music Introducing, Risen and Shesaid.so
The subsequent three nights at Roundhouse Rising 2022 will be curated by BBC Music Introducing, multi-venue London-based festival and club night Risen; and Shesaid.so, a global community connecting women, gender minorities and allies in the music industry.
The festival is also partnering with Deaf Rave which provides entertainment with music, sign song and visual performances to an all-inclusive audience, globally and across the UK. Line-ups to be confirmed.
Featuring across all Rising Festival gigs will be Beat Blocks. Beat Blocks is a haptic flooring system that takes input from any audio source and creates felt vibrations and audio output to give people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing a new way to experience gigs.
Running since 2011, Roundhouse Rising Festival offers a creative programme of performances, workshops and access to industry events and traineeships, supporting new and emerging artists as well as young people looking to progress their careers in off-stage music roles.
Over the last decade, it has hosted early-career performances from the likes of Little Simz, Jacob Banks, Greentea Peng, Kojey Radical and Kokoroko.
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Hard Rock launches Undiscovered concert series
Hard Rock International has teamed with not-for-profit organisation Playing for Change to launch a new global concert series for emerging talent.
Undiscovered Powered by Hard Rock runs from 12 May to 30 June and will see 50 local bands play 50 days of music at 20 Hard Rock Cafe locations throughout Europe, North America and Asia.
The series will highlight artists including the Playing for Change Band, Los Pinguos, Don Vito, Bikram Sambat, Modjorido and Whiskey 6, who will also have an opportunity to showcase their memorabilia at their local Hard Rock Cafes. Guests are invited to catch the concerts live and make a donation in support of local artists worldwide.
“We continuously strive to serve as a home for emerging artists worldwide on their journeys as performers”
“We’re thrilled to partner with an exceptional organisation like Playing For Change to kick off our Undiscovered concert series that gives deserving local artists a global stage to showcase their incredible talents,” says Keith Sheldon, president of entertainment for Hard Rock. “As Hard Rock Cafe continues to build affinity with the music community that has support our brand for over 50 years, we continuously strive to serve as a home for emerging artists worldwide on their journeys as performers.”
Playing For Change was founded in 2002 with the intention of using music to help break down boundaries and overcome divisiveness. It has produced more than 400 videos, recorded over 1,200 musicians in 60 countries, and reached over two billion viewers through music videos, performances and school programmes.
Participating Hard Rock Cafe locations include Barcelona, Kathmandu, Bali, Boston, Miami, Hollywood Blvd, Paris, Seattle, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Bucharest, New Orleans, Key West, Johannesburg, London Old Park Lane and Piccadilly Circus, Tokyo-Roppongi, New York, Atlanta, Nashville and Memphis.
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