This residency is just the latest in a suite of programs offered by the Beacon, including workshops, intensives, and mentorships. With support from the PRS Foundation—“the UK’s leading charitable funder of new music and talent development”—artists gain access to studio space, professional guidance, and financial assistance. Every Tuesday, they can create music in dedicated studio time, while collaborating with like-minded creatives.

The venue claims to be “making space for the scene. For the artists, producers, managers and music industry professionals of the future to create, collaborate, grow and glow.”

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The residency’s first cohort showcases the breadth of Bristol’s thriving music scene.

Grove, a producer and vocalist, is already making waves with their electrifying fusion of dance, grime, and punk ethos. Known for deep electronic synths underpinning spoken-word lyrics, Grove’s work channels rebellion and empowerment. Their Glastonbury performance with collaborator ej.akin and a recent Boiler Room set have cemented their status as a boundary-pushing artist.

“It’s the holy trinity of time, space, and money that is so useful for us as artists,” Grove told the BBC, reflecting on the residency’s significance.

Holysseus Fly, the alias of Holly Wellington, brings a distinctly atmospheric sound to the program. A former keyboardist and singer for the Ishmael Ensemble, Wellington’s solo work combines haunting vocals with piano and synth strings, drawing inspiration from artists like James Blake and Florence Welch.

A breast cancer diagnosis in 2019 marked a turning point in her artistic journey. Since then, she’s performed at Glastonbury and Forwards Bristol, opened for Nick Mulvey, and completed a residency at Snape Maltings. Known for her dynamic stage presence and lush production, Wellington described her musical philosophy: “For me, the piano and vocal are the most important. I want my sound to be both minimal and bold.”

The trio is rounded out by Waldo’s Gift, an instrumental band blending electronic textures with rock influences in a jazz-esque experimental way. Their intricate compositions build hypnotically, with twisted guitar riffs and scattering drum beats creating a sound that’s both inventive and approachable. Reactions to their music on youtube especially praise the refreshing sound of their innovation. 

Drummer James Vine emphasised the program’s transformative impact. “It’s the difference between being able to do this viably as a career or not, so it means everything to us,” he told the BBC. The band’s debut album, Malcolm’s Law, drops on January 25, 2025.

The significance of Bristol Beacon’s efforts extends beyond the individual artists it supports. Grassroots music has struggled in the wake of the pandemic, with economic pressures squeezing both venues and musicians. Programs like this residency not only secure the future of new music but also foster a sense of community.

Music, after all, is an undeniable force for bringing people together. Whether it’s Grove’s fiery dance anthems, Holysseus Fly’s ethereal soundscapes, or Waldo’s Gift’s inventive riffs, these artists are shaping a scene that thrives on connection and innovation.

As larger venues like Glasgow’s OVO Hydro implement levies to sustain grassroots initiatives, Bristol Beacon’s residency program offers a blueprint for nurturing talent at its source. The impact, as the first wave of participants is proving, will, with any luck, be felt for years to come.

Applications for Ipswich Music Day 2024 are now OPEN!

Are you an aspiring musician from Ipswich, Suffolk or the East Anglian region? We want to hear your music!

Apply now for your chance to perform at Ipswich Music Day – https://t.co/OrcA1HM28j pic.twitter.com/hzKkQDWa7P

— Ipswich Entertains (@IpswichEnts) January 9, 2024

Ipswich Music Day has a rich history of showcasing talented musicians, with even the likes of Ed Sheeran gracing its stages before achieving international fame. In 2009 and 2010, Sheeran performed at this festival, leaving a lasting impression on both the audience and organisers. Now, with the opportunity for DJs to apply, the festival is set to expand its musical offerings even further.

With six stages, including one hosted by BBC Radio Suffolk, performers only need to apply for the stages other than the one hosted by the radio station. Wayne Bavin, the breakfast presenter, has promised a bigger venue, a larger stage, and an impressive lineup that is already in the works, he said “We’re going to have a bigger venue, a bigger stage and we have a brilliant line-up that’s already being prepared for you.” This assurance has generated excitement among musicians, who are eager to be a part of this renowned festival.

Last year, the council received applications from 233 performers, resulting in 52 successful musicians entertaining a crowd of 24,500 people. This demonstrates the festival’s popularity and the high level of talent it attracts. Neil MacDonald, the Labour leader of the council, has emphasised the festival’s significance in providing a platform for emerging artists. MacDonald said, “It’s a fantastic opportunity for up-and-coming artists to showcase their talent and for Ipswich to come alive with the sound of music, fun, and entertainment.” Ipswich Music Day not only showcases established musicians but also nurtures and supports up-and-coming talent, contributing to the vibrant music scene in Ipswich.

Overall, the announcement of the first-ever opportunity for DJs to apply to perform at Ipswich Music Day has generated excitement and anticipation. With its rich history, diverse lineup, and commitment to supporting emerging artists, this festival continues to bring the vibrant spirit of music, fun, and entertainment to Ipswich.

Applications for the festival are currently being accepted by Ipswich Entertains until March 31st. Successful candidates will receive notification of their selection by April 12th. Neil MacDonald, the council’s Labour leader, highlights the festival as a fantastic opportunity for up-and-coming artists to showcase their talent and for the community to indulge in a day brimming with music, amusement, and entertainment.

Hailing from South London, the producer and multi-instrumentalist has been contributing his beautifully nostalgic and smooth brand of saxophone playing to a growing list of highly prominent artists around the globe for a while now. Having laid down some emotive riffage on “Alarm Clock” from Burna Boy’s Grammy Winning Album Twice As Tall in 2020, and also contributed to Wizkid’s “Starboy” and Beyonce’s “Ja Ara E”, Venna has become a hot ticket to collaborate with in the studio and fast become one of the most sought after producers and sax players in town.

With the release of his debut EP Venology though, Venna steps out on his own with a brand new solo project. The EP, put out by Hillside Records, is a collection of 6 songs the artist has written and produced himself with collaborations from the popular rapper Knucks, producer Marco Bernadis, and artists JVCK JAMES, JADA, and emil. It’s a wonderfully eclectic mix of jazz, hip hop, grime, and R&B, with Venna’s sax sounding throughout to create a warm and idiosyncratic world all of his own.

Speaking recently about his ambitions for the EP with NME, Venna said “I wanted this to be the biggest thing ever. I wanted the music to touch as many people as it could. Not in an arrogant way, but I know how special the music is. Before then, I’d worked with loads of people, and I appreciate everyone who’s brought me in and helped me get to where I am now, but there’s nothing more rewarding than finally doing it for yourself.”

Going on to explain his plans for 2022 and his recent collaboration’s with Yussef Dayes he explained “I’m running around the world with Yussef right now, which is a dream. We’re touring Australia, then New Zealand. His album’s coming out as well, and we’ve worked hard on it. And just my next project… I think I’ve got the track list, but I change things a lot. I’m very picky with my music. Anything I’m heavily involved in, I take my time. But I try not to put too much pressure on it. I am music, so music’s gonna come to me regardless. I don’t even stress about it no more.”

It seems like going with the flow is Venna’s style both in his productions for other artists and for his own solo project, and judging by his recent success we don’t blame him. An artist full of originality and honest authenticity I’m sure this laid back and grateful attitude will take him a long way, and we here at MXDWN UK are all to happy to witness it.

TSHA and Griff have a lot in common, which is perhaps why their professional collaboration feels so natural. Both women are young London-based musicians, both have featured on NME’s 100 Essential new artists for 2020, both are half Jamaican, and both are talented beyond their years. They hit the music scene at relatively similar times, with TSHA’s EP ‘Dawn‘ dropping in 2018. This three-track beauty introduced her eclectic style, which sounds both fresh and nostalgic at the same time.

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So excited that my 3 track EP and first ever release “Dawn” Drops tomorrow and will be available on all major platforms! Shout out to @jaywilcoxthat1 and @marc_tc for bring 2 of the tracks alive with their gorgeous vocals. So blessed to have so many people believe in me and support my vision. A very special thanks to @lunamonogatari for this incredible art work and being so helpful in bring my vison alive! Please check her out!

A post shared by TSHA (@tshamusic) on Aug 9, 2018 at 2:12am PDT

Griff’s first EP ‘The Mirror Talk EP‘ was released with Warner Records back in November 2019. Since then she has taken the UK music scene by storm, having been described as the UK’s ‘Brightest New Pop Star‘. Griff is only 19 years old, but her song writing skills have matured a lot over her short time in the industry. Her debut EP was certainly impressive, but her 2020 creations such as singles ‘Good Stuff‘ and ‘Forgive Myself‘ feel more emotionally mature and also more distinctively her own style.

These explore themes of self-doubt, failed relationships and depression. Griff said that ‘Say It Again‘ was written when “a lot of [her] girlfriends were going through mental health issues, and [she] felt so helpless. So this song is basically [her] helpless self trying to reassure a friend who’s going through a really difficult time.”

TSHA cites the likes of Bonobo, Jon Hopkins and Floating Points as influences. She supported Bonobo and Maribou State back in 2019 and was due to play at Festivals El Dorado and Forbidden Fruit this year, though these appearances were cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Their collaborative remix of ‘Say it Again‘ is a foot-tapping, head-nodding labour of love. While Griff’s influences are musicians like Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift, giving her songs a bubble-gum pop feel, TSHA’s electronic style is quite different. The fusion of these two exciting artists creates an edgy yet playable dance track that will have you shuffling around your bedroom all night long.