After a year off, we are pleased to announce the return of our talent development competition Kickstart for 2025
We are once again on the hunt for the hottest new artists and bands from across Northern Ireland in an attempt to ‘kickstart’ their music career and make 2025 their breakout year. The winner will win a host of huge opportunities including a single recording, music video, PR campaign, professional photoshoot and gig spots.
Kickstart returns as a result of the support of our two wonderful sponsors Rí-Rá and MacIvors. These two local companies not only sell excellent products but also use their brand and profile to champion the arts. We are extremely fortunate to be working with organisations who share our values and desire to promote and develop homegrown talent.
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.
How To Enter ►
You must meet the following criteria to enter:
- Be a musician or band originally from Northern Ireland or have been living in Northern Ireland for the last three years.
- You must not have released a full length album or be in the process of recording an album for release in 2025 or the first three months of 2026.
- You must not be signed to a management agency, a record label or have a record deal. This is a competition for unsigned musicians.
- You must not be related to or have a family member work at any of the sponsoring organisations or organisations that are providing prizes.
If you meet these criteria then please follow the link below to complete your entry.
SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR CHORDBLOSSOM KICKSTART 2025
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
Frequently Asked Questions ►
– How do you define a musician or band from Northern Ireland?
For the purposes of this competition, you will be considered eligible if you were born in Northern Ireland; or at least 50% of the band’s core members were born in NI; or alternatively if you have made your creative base in NI for the past three years and will continue to be based in NI in 2025.
– I have entered the competition before, am I still eligible to enter this year?
Yes, as long as you meet the normal criteria. However, please send through a different song.
– Is there a restriction on the genre of music for Kickstart?
No, we welcome applications from musicians and bands of any genre.
– Is there an age restriction for entries?
No, we welcome applications from musicians and bands of any age.
– I don’t have a studio quality recording, can I still enter?
Yes, we aren’t looking for the most polished of singles. We will listen to all tracks and demos that are sent in.
– Can I send through a link to my music on Spotify/Youtube/Soundcloud/Bandcamp or WAV file rather than an MP3?
NO! We are only able to accept an MP3 version of your track. If you have a file in a different format, please convert it using software available like media.io.
– Is there a showcase gig this year?
No, there will not be a showcase gig this year.
– Who will judge the different stages of the competition?
For the initial shortlist, the decision will be taken by the Chordblossom team of contributors.
For the longlist, a panel of people who work in the music industry will give their opinion. In previous years this has included music journalists, promoters, recording engineers among others. This year the panel includes Nikki MacRae (Belfast Council), Stevie Lennox (The Thin Air), Charlene Hegarty (Musicians Union), Edwin McFee (Sunday Life/Hot Press), Taylor Johnson (BBC Introducing), Lewis Nevin (NuMuze), Donal Scullion (stripped at the Crescent), Liam Craig (Artist Manager), & Hannah McCormack (Oh Yeah).
For the final shortlist, representatives from the organisations providing prizes will take a decision.
– When will the winner release their single?
We would expect the winner and runner up to be recording their singles in Autumn/Winter 2025 with the goal of releasing the tracks in late 2025/early 2026.
Chordblossom reserve the right to withdraw any prizes where the the winner or runner up fails to claim them within a reasonable timescale.
– I have a question that you haven’t answered, what should I do?
If you have any other questions, please send an email to kickstart@chordblossom.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
