Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent Competition is back for 2024, and the eight shortlisted artists have been announced. Check them out below.
Taking place each year, the free-to-enter contest gives up-and-coming musicians the chance to play at one of the festival’s main stages, as well as a £5,000 Talent Development prize from PRS Foundation to help develop their songwriting and performing.
The two runners-up will each be awarded a £2,500 PRS Foundation Talent Development prize.
This year’s edition of the competition launched back in January, and last month the 90 artists who had made the longlist was shared.
Now, the 90 artists have been whittled down to the final eight – with one set to be announced as the winner of this year’s instalment later this month.
“We’re very pleased to announce the finalists for our EMERGING TALENT COMPETITION 2024, which is supported by PRS for Music and PRS Foundation,” Glastonbury shared on their X/Twitter page earlier this morning (April 11). “The acts, chosen from thousands of entries, are: The Ayoub Sisters, Bryte, Caleb Kunle, JayaHadADream, KID 12, Nadia Kadek, Olivia Nelson, and Problem Patterns.”
In a separate post, they added: “This year’s invite-only final will take place on Saturday 27 April, 2024,” and shared further details on what prizes will be awarded to the winner and two runners-up. They also shared a custom-made playlist, which features one track from each of the shortlisted acts. Check it out below.
The first of the hand-picked artists are The Ayoub Sisters – a multi-instrumental musical duo consisting of siblings Sarah and Laura Ayoub, who arrange and perform instrumental versions of famous pop and classical works. Discovered by Mark Ronson, the sisters recently shared their latest album ‘Arabesque’, which is a celebration of and tribute to music from the Arab World.
The second listed artist on the playlist is Olivia Nelson, a modern-era R&B singer who channelled her emotion into her debut EP ‘For You’. She cites Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey as inspirations when it comes to vocal ability, and is already gaining momentum for her contemporary R&B and Motown roots.
Problem Patterns are also named on the shortlist. They are a four-piece feminist queer punk band from Belfast, comprised of Beverley Boal, Bethany Crooks, Ciara King and Alanah Smith. Emerging back in 2018 with a new take on punk, they have already gone on to lock in support slots with the likes of Le Tigre, Bob Vylan, Dream Wife & Ash.
KID 12, an emerging ambient artist who recently emerged with two 2024 singles ‘Dreams’ and ‘BETS OFF’, and singer-songwriter Nadia Kadek – who opened for Marika Hackman earlier this year and was shortlisted for artist submission at Live At Leeds festival in 2023 – are also named, as is thought-provoking Jamaican-Irish independent rapper, singer and producer, JayaHadADream.
Finally, Bryte completes the line-up – a London-based Ghanaian rapper and vocalist, who raps in five languages and has developed a cult following due to his unique fusion of afro-electronic, rap and experimental club sounds.
This year’s final will take place on Saturday April 27.
Speaking about the competition, Glastonbury co-organiser Emily Eavis said: “At a time when it’s not always easy for acts to get their foot on the ladder, we’re really happy to be able to offer this opportunity for rising artists. So many amazing acts have been showcased by the Emerging Talent Competition over the years – and, as with the Festival, we welcome artists from all musical genres.”
Last year’s finalists were: Cordelia Gartside, EVA, FFSYTHO?!, Naomi Kimpenu, N’famady Kouyaté, The Love Buzz, and NME 100 stars for 2022, Prima Queen and VLURE.
2023’s winner was Guinea-born, Cardiff-based Kouyaté, who told NME of the accolade: “I feel like I’m dreaming.
“This is my first ever award in my musical career and I’m so glad it’s this as well. It’s a massive pleasure for the festival to offer me this opportunity. I’m feeling amazing.”
Other notable winners include Declan McKenna, who entered the competition in 2015 with his hit song ‘Brazil’. He was awarded a £5000 prize and a slot on the festival’s William’s Green Stage. Scouting For Girls, The Subways, Liz Green, Golden Silvers, We Have Band, Ellen and the Escapades, Treetop Flyers, Bridie Jackson and the Arbour, M+A and She Drew the Gun have also previously won the competition.
In other news, Glastonbury recently unveiled the line-up for the 2024 edition of the festival. Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA will headline the iconic Pyramid Stage this summer and Shania Twain will perform in the coveted legends slot on the Sunday.
Other acts on the poster include LCD Soundsystem, Little Simz, Burna Boy, PJ Harvey, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Kiwanuka, Janelle Monae, Olivia Dean, Paloma Faith and Keane – all of whom will appear on the Pyramid Stage.
