Seeking the next Capaldi
A talent spotter who first discovered Scots singing star Lewis Capaldi has told how his time at university‘opened doors’to his successful career.
Scott Kirkwood, 29, first unearthed the‘Someone You Loved’sensation thanks to his course at University West of Scotland in Ayr.
The former BA Commercial Music student first laid eyes on the now global superstar while working in a role at the Scottish Music Centre, where he programmed the youth tour initiative ‘Hit The Road’.
Scott then helped launch one of the biggest success stories on the globe to the heights with two UK number one singles and his debut album‘Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent’reaching the top spot after its release in 2019.
As well as bringing Capaldi to the forefront, Scott also helped Glasgow pop artist KLOE reach stardom guiding her to signing with major label Columbia. Now the chief of his own management company, Kingdom Management, the A&R man is returning back to his Ayrshire roots to inspire the next generation of students.
Scott hopes to give students on the same course a platform to take their music projects to the next level.
Students who were once in his shoes will be given the chance to score £1k of funding through a Music Enterprise award, plus a support package of mentorship, support and advice from Kingdom Management. To access the amazing opportunity students who demonstrate strong entrepreneurial skills and have developed innovative concepts will be shortlisted.
They will then front a Dragon’s Den style pitch to Kingdom Management staff, who will select the winning projects.
The Kilmarnock lad added:“I’m proud of where I am from and hope that the success that Lewis has had will inspire others from Ayrshire, or attending the Ayr Campus.
“If you want to go for it, do it.”