We had a fantastic reaction to the return of our Kickstart competition. Once again the quantity and quality of submissions proves that for such a small place, we continue to produce large numbers of talented musicians.
The best part of running the competition is discovering new talent and re-discovering old favourites. The worst part of the competition is of course narrowing down the submissions into the various shortlists.
After nearly three weeks of listening to all the submissions, we are pleased to unveil the twenty artists who have made it through to the Kickstart Longlist for 2025:
- Alfie Norma
- Alice Sloan
- Delusional Silence
- Final Thirteen
- GUSH
- LateArrival
- Lorcan Nelson
- Lord Jane
- Madams Last Discovery
- Madrai
- Midnight Housework
- Monday’s Child
- Red Eye Pariah
- Ria Timkin
- Robyn Maddox
- Sophie French
- Sweet Neptune
- The Pottingers
- The Thing Is…
- Tom Gee
Playlist
Next Steps
Over the next two weeks, an external panel of people who work in the music industry will review and listen to the longlisted applicants. They will vote for their preferred artist(s) and those with the most votes will make it through to the final shortlist.
In previous years the panel has included music journalists, promoters, recording engineers among others. This year the panel includes
- Nikki MacRae (Belfast City Council)
- Stevie Lennox (The Thin Air)
- Charlene Hegarty (Musicians Union NI)
- Edwin Mc Fee (Sunday Life/Belfast Telegraph/Hot Press)
- Taylor Johnson (BBC Introducing NI)
- Lewis Nevin (NuMuze)
- Donal Scullion (Stripped Down)
- Liam Craig (Primitive Sound)
- Hannah McCormack (Oh Yeah)
- Aine Cronin-McCartney (BBC Radio 1/Faction Music).
Prizes For Winner ►
► Single Recording – Courtesy of Half Bap Studios
Tucked away in the Cathedral Quarter, Half Bap Studios have been recording and mastering some of our favourite artists for over 10 years. Recent highlights include their work with WMG signed Panic:Over, NI nominated album for Dani Larkin, Lilla Vargen and many many more.
► Single Mastering – Courtesy of Aye Sound Mastering
Aye, Sound Mastering was started by Joel Harkin in 2021. Harkin graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Music Technology and Sonic Arts from Queen’s University Belfast in 2017. He has since completed a course in Digital Audio Mastering with Berklee Online and has worked with the likes of Joshua Burnside, Eve Belle, Bui, Gender Chores.
► Professional Career Advice – Courtesy of New Champion Management
From established artists like Joshua Burnside to future prospects Chalk, and Lemonade Shoelace, NCM hold arguably the finest roster of artists from these shores. You’ll have the opportunity to sit down with head honcho Ben Magee to flesh out a plan to develop your career.
► Video for your Single – Courtesy of Eoin Bannon
When he isn’t creating huge alt rock with Alpha Twin, Eoin Bannon is helping artists create music videos for their music. Highlights over the last few months include Reasy Ajarro, Wynona Bleach and Muck Savage.
► Festival Slot – Courtesy of Stendhal Festival of Art
Stendhal is the biggest and best festival on these shores and their line-ups are crammed with the cream of top international, national and local talent. Our winner will find themselves on the bill with the opportunity to make their mark in front of a huge audience. Due to timescales of this competition, it will be the 2026 edition of the festival that you’re playing.
► Single PR Campaign – Courtesy of Thrill Merchants
Thrill Merchants is a boutique PR and artist management agency based in Belfast. They have experience helping artists gain airplay and media coverage including Owen Denvir, Heart Shaped, Lucy Bell and Ben Cutler. A former judge on both the NI Music Prize and the Choice Music Prize and with over 14 years working in the industry, you’ll be in safe hands.
► Professional Photoshoot – Courtesy of Avcunningham Photography
Aside from doing a sterling job as deputy editor at Chordblossom, Aaron Cunningham is an excellent photographer. His work with Chalk, Joel Harkin, Brand New Friend & the mighty New Pagans has seen his shots featured on album covers, gig posters and music publications here and beyond.
► Support Slot at GIFTED – Courtesy of Chordblossom
We know our way round a launch gig at Chordblossom and we’ll ensure you’re on the line-up of a future GIFTED event live at the Belfast Empire.
Timeline For The Competition ►
– Wednesday 16th April 2025 – Competition announced and entry opens
– Sunday 11th May 2025 – Entries Close at 5PM
– Monday 2nd June 2025 – Longlist Announced
– Monday 16th June 2025 – Shortlist Announced
– Monday 30th June 2025 – Chordblossom’s Kickstart 2025 Winner Announced
