Liverpool International Music Festival unveils 20 acts for LIMF Academy stage

Liverpool International Music Festival 2016

Thursday 21st to Sunday 24th July 2016
various venues , Liverpool, Merseyside, L17 1AF, England MAP
prices vary depending upon event, many are free

Daily capacity: 32,000

The 20 young unsigned artists and bands from Merseyside who will get a chance to perform on the LIMF Academy stage have been announced. The acts selected will have the opportunity to perform at Europe's largest free music event, Liverpool International Music Festival's Summer Jam happening between Thursday 22nd and Sunday 24th July 2016.

The four day event will host The Basement Effect, Aztex, Spares, Astles, Daryl David, Alex Hulme, Luna, Paige Leslie, Native Kings, I See Rivers, Clare Sophia, Shrinking Minds, Scarlet, Hicari, Katie Mac, Sub Blue, and Halem. Plus the three 'most ready' finalists, Eleanor Nelly, Lumen, and Suedebrown, have been hand picked for a place on the award winning LIMF Academy Elite Talent Development Programme that offers career support and musical development.

On the three most ready artists, BBC Radio Merseyside's Dave Monks commented, "They all possess something that made them stand out, they are distinctive. We were aware of some of Eleanor’s early recordings through BBC Introducing and I think her recent performance at the Magnet confirmed she had something that made everyone keen to have her involved this year. As for L U M E N, again we started supporting the earliest of tracks Liam had produced in his bedroom and after seeing this in a live setting, we noticed how much progress he had made in only a few months. We’re looking forward to hearing one of his tracks produced with Steve Levine. Suedebrown is an artist that has jumped straight out following the release of his track 'Nightcall' which I played on the radio. I think this could be an exciting artist that could also collaborate with some of the other Academy artists further down the line".

For the other artists and bands selected for the Academy, as well as a spot on the LIMF Academy stage at LIMF Summer Jam, they will also receive workshops in songwriting, vocal training and music production. Additionally they will attend the LIMF Masterclasses, which includes sessions led by music industry professionals focused on being heard, securing gigs, funding and doing it independently. Organisations involved include PRS For Music Foundation, Ditto Music, Musician's Union, as well representatives from labels, publishing companies and media outlets.

LIMF Curator Yaw Owusu has been developing and building the LIMF Academy since 2013 was impressed by the high standard of applications this year, commenting, "We have chosen a great group of talented and exciting young music creators and we are looking forward to showcasing and developing them over the course of the programme. I believe our selections once again prove how diverse and inherently excellent the emerging music talent is in the city of Liverpool! With all the existing and additional activity that makes up the LIMF Academy programme, we will strive to continue to add value to all of these bands and artists."

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