Fender next

An international line-up of rising guitar talent will benefit from valuable support from Fender as the guitar giant launches its new Fender Next progamme.

The company has selected 50 artists this year that it considers represent the new face of guitar worldwide. Perusing the list, TG readers may recognise Australia’s Tash Sultana (pictured), the UK’S Idles, Ireland’s Fontaines DC; Liily, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown and FIDLAR from the US plus the unforgettably-monikered Psychedelic Porn Crumpets from our On The Up section.

The program reflects an ongoing commitment from Fender that’s beyond anything we’ve seen from other guitar brands when it comes to supporting newer talent. The company is already working with over 2,000 artists, but Fender Next will intensify support to cover a wide

range of activities to promote artists’ music, aside from providing Fender guitars, amps and pedals.

There will be performance opportunities at Fender Next branded events - which was already the case at Austin’s SXSW festival last month with the Fender Next House – and artists will also feature in Fender editorial ranging from social media to video documentaries on the artists’ individual stories.

“New music is at the heart of what we do at Fender,” Helen Varley, Marketing Director, EMEA, Fender tells us, “so we’re thrilled to formalise an official artist programme that celebrates some of the most exciting musicians in the world right now. We’re very proud to be working with the likes of Sam Fender and Little Simz and can’t wait to see what comes next from these incredible artists.”

The company plans for Fender Next to be an annual programme with a new roster of artists being selected each year.