A sound reaction
WANT to follow in the footsteps of Manic
Street Preachers and Stereophonics to become a future Welsh music star? Then the Horizons project could be just what you’re looking for.
BBC Wales and the Arts Council of Wales have announced that the search for Horizons artists to join its 2018 project is under way.
The applications process is now open and the 12 successful acts will be supported and promoted in various ways by Horizons over the next 12 months.
Horizons is a unique showcase of new, independent contemporary music in Wales. Now in its fourth year, Horizons is a collaboration between BBC Wales and the Arts Council of Wales.
Since its inception in 2014, Horizons has given a platform to more than 36 emerging artists from Wales, giving them support and mentoring to help them reach new audiences in Wales, the UK and beyond, as well as supported many more at festival stages and helping realise ambitions through the Launchpad fund.
The Horizons project aims to be a comprehensive showcase of promising talent in Wales. Providing promotional and performance opportunities, over the past four years Horizons has provided new Welsh acts with a breadth of support and some unforgettable experiences as they start their journeys into music.
Horizons acts have been showcased at some of the biggest festivals at home and internationally, from Glastonbury, The Great Escape, Festival No 6 and Swn, to Eurosonic and SXSW, and have performed sessions at the legendary Maida Vale Studios.
Previous Horizons alumni include Candelas, Swnami, CaStLeS, Violet Skies, Afrocluster, Baby Queens, Kizzy Crawford, Seazoo, The People the Poet, Reuel Elijah, Danielle Lewis and many more who have benefited from the Horizon’s Project.
The 12 chosen artists will be offered a platform at events across Wales and on BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio Wales.
Bethan Elfyn, project manager of Horizons at BBC Wales, said: “The music industry is constantly changing and it is a challenge to get new, unsigned artists heard in such a competitive world, but a challenge the Horizons team relish.
“We’ll have a special start to our festival calendar this year by revealing our new 12 at the Biggest Weekend Fringe Festival in Swansea, and putting on a whole host of acts across a whole week of activity in Swansea.
“That’s just the start and we look forward to a 12 month journey with the new artists.”
Violet Skies, one of the artists from the 2015 Project, said: “It was a mad year for me as part of the Horizons scheme. I’ve been lucky enough to tick off a lot of things from my musical bucket list.”
Acts who want to be considered should fill in a form online via bbc.co.uk/horizons
Applications close at midnight on May 7, and announcements will follow from May 21 at the Biggest Weekend Fringe.