It brings us some sadness that we reach the end of Kickstart for another year but also a lot of excitement over what is to come next. From our initial announcement back in April through to our announcement today, it has been another stellar year for Kickstart.
Without the support of our two wonderful sponsors Rí-Rá and MacIvors, it would not have been possible to run Kickstart this year. We are truly grateful for all their help and hope to work with them in the future.
It would be remiss if also we didn’t thank all the organisations and individuals who will be contributing prizes or services to our winner and all our judges and contributors who helped us narrow down the entries to this point.
Finally a big thank you to all the artists who entered Kickstart. We appreciate that it can be daunting to put yourself forward for an opportunity like this. It is always a pleasure to sample the pipeline of great talent we have coming through and while we are only able to have one winner, we look forward to working with and continuing to support local talent going forward.
Lengthy monologues complete, now time for the big reveal.
Our panel were blown away by the five shortlisted artists and it is never easy settling on one winner when any on the list would have been worthy winners.
We are pleased to announce that The Thing Is… are the winners of Kickstart 2025. We look forward to working with the band to deliver a great campaign for a new single ahead of live dates later in 2025.
The Thing Is… emerged from a group of school friends in the dusty town of Downpatrick. Having built a reputation within Belfast through busking and playing at Volume Control in the Oh Yeah Music Centre, they established their place in the scene. Now, three years, two more members, and a new drummer later, they have gigged across Ireland and England, at venues such as the Empire and Mandela Hall, including a headline show in Liverpool.
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.
