Bristol Next Level music mentorship scheme searching for new talent

A music scheme is searching for fresh talent to help them take their careers to the next level.

Next Level is a programme specifically aimed at emerging singers, rappers and MCs aged 18 to 30 in Bristol.

Last year's applicants worked with artists such as Eva Lazarus, Sam Interface, Dread MC and Fiyahdred.

The project culminated with performances at the Bristol Beacon, and the artists were invited to perform at Love Saves the Day and Glastonbury.

Next Level, which is run by BIG Team CIC and Bristol Beacon, is designed to help springboard grassroots artists.

The scheme is supported by industry names in Bristol, such as Team Love, Pirate Studios and SWU.fm.

After the success of the last year's Next Level Showcase at the Bristol Beacon, last year's cohorts were invited to tour at Glastonbury, Love Saves the Day and Boomtown festivals.

One of those artists was Kai Benjamin, a 21-year-old hip-hop artist who performs under the name B3NJI.

"Having grown up in a tiny village in Cornwall, the prospect of playing at Glastonbury didn't cross my mind," he said.

"I'd never be able to anticipate something like that. It was a real dream come true moment."

Tom Paine, director at Team Love, said Next Level was created and co-produced with the Bristol Beacon, when they realised there was a lack of young artists from Bristol having commercial success.

"A lot of other cities have had commercial success for artists over the last 5 to 10 years, except Bristol and we don't know why," said Mr Paine.

"The idea is that it gives them amazing experience and it gives young people confidence."

"The experience felt like the name," said 30-year-old singer and rapper Asher Simmons, who moved to Bristol from the Bahamas in 2021 in pursuit of his music career.

"It pushed me to another level and gave me another level of exposure. That kind of experience was priceless."

Sophie Cook, also known as Solo Jane, said working with industry mentors has helped her to find her own unique sound.

"Through Next Level I have rebranded as an artist. My following has been going up, I've been getting more gigs and my latest single was played on BBC Introducing," she said.

This year, five successful applicants will take part in a week long-programme to develop their skills and talent.

It will include one-to-one mentoring sessions with industry producers and vocalists and will finish with a showcase at the Bristol Beacon, with an opportunity to tour the UK's most popular festivals.

Mr Paine said: "The last two years have been so good. We've seen a mixture of completely raw talent coming to us - it's quite humbling to see them all shine."

The deadline for applicants for this year's programme is Thursday 22 February.

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