Liverpool music programme LIMF Academy celebrates 10 years with its next cohort of future stars

LIMF Academy has been supporting and nurturing new music talent across Liverpool City Region for ten years and its latest list of talented music makers has been unveiled.

Seven new recruits will join LIMF Academy and are set to be guided and supported in to the music industry.

In-keeping with the past programmes, this year’s cohort offers an eclectic music mix, covering the genres of R&B, folk, pop and rap, each with bags of creativity that are waiting to be unleashed.

Aimed at emerging talent aged 16-25 years old, the Academy gives exclusive access to workshops, seminars, networks and specialist inside know-how, as well as the chance to perform at events across the country.

The seven unsigned artists will also benefit from a year-long initiative including a bursary, monthly masterclasses, showcases, bursaries, paid membership to the Musicians Union and PRS For Music, life-coaching, advice and an industry network. They’ll also benefit from performance opportunities.

The three ‘most ready’ artists, will receive extras such as additional financial support, year-round mentoring, the creation of professional assets and they will perform at LIMF Academy Orchestrated, the annual collaboration with the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company. The outstanding three are:

DAYZY – A witty rap artist with ambitions to “build a bridge to the Liverpool rap scene” from his raw and open-eyed perspective.

Hannah Morgan – Blending pop, R&B, and an adventurous style, Hannah delves into the concept of “suburban imperfection,” following in the footsteps of notable black female producers like Griff and Rachel Chinouriri.

Superlate – Radiating positivity and infectious vibes, multi-instrumentalist, DJ, and producer Superlate infuses beachside melodies and spirited dancefloor anthems that epitomise the essence of summer.

Joining these three are introspective folk and pop singer-songwriter Euan Blackman, self-described “sad R&B” singer Faye Donna Francis, contemporary R&B artist Immi Dash and prolific rapper ssj.

For full biographies and videos of the most ready artists, please visit the LIMF Academy website.

Over the past decade 50 music creators have been lucky enough to be enrolled on the programme, with the Academy itself working with more than 5,000 youngsters to hone their skills and arm them with everything they need to be a success.

Playing a key role in why Liverpool was named UNESCO City of Music in 2015, dozens of artists who made it on to the programme have gone on to work with pre-eminent producers, get signed to major labels and publishers and tour with global superstars. One of those graduates is 21 year old Michael Aldag who was enrolled on the Academy between 2019 and 2021. Since then, he’s been signed to the 3 Beat/Universal record label, has supported Bastille and George Ezra on tour and has taken to the stage at this year’s Glastonbury and BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend, and will perform at Latitude this weekend.

Creative Consultant and the Academy Programme Director Yaw Owusu said

“Since 2013 we have seen the Academy go from a peripheral element of the Liverpool International Music Festival to an essential offering for new talent in our region’s music ecology. It is now considered one of the best talent development initiatives in the whole country.

“I think it’s something the city, our music sector and our partners should be proud of, but we should be even more proud of the array of varied and amazing music creators who have come through the programme and who have used the Academy to reach higher heights in their burgeoning careers.

“As we move forward, we hope we can continue to do more to supercharge the creativity, careers and ambitions of all those who pass through the various Academy programmes.”