Kate Tempest is among 19 artists set to receive support from the Momentum Music Fund, managed by PRS for Music Foundation.
The fund awards grants of £5,000-£15,000 using public funding from Arts Council England. Spotify, the project's official digital partner, contributes additional funding and a reward package containing promotional opportunities and close working relationship between Momentum artists and the Spotify team.
Also among the 19 artists to be granted funding this year are Blaenavon, Laura Groves, Bassboy and Love Ssega, who said, “This will enable me to put out the music I’d like people to hear, giving me the creative freedom but also the support at a critical time in my career.”
PRS chief executive Vanessa Reed said, “We're excited to have been able to support 19 exceptional artists in this latest round, highlighting the brilliant mix of talent across England at the moment, from Birmingham's Scorpz, West Yorkshire's Laura Groves through to Brighton's Yonaka, and artists who are already receiving industry recognition such as Mercury nominated Kate Tempest and Guardian's Ones to Watch 2015 Georgia. I look forward to seeing the impact Momentum support will have on each of these artists’ careers over the coming months.”
Arts Council England chief executive Darren Henley added: “Earlier in the year we committed an additional £1 million to the Momentum Music Fund because it makes such an important investment in the careers of each of the talented artists it supports. It's a stepping stone to bigger and better things, enabling them to take their professional development to the next level.”
Bryan Johnson, Spotify's director of artist services at Spotify said, “We’re pleased to announce this latest round of Momentum funding. A total of 19 artists will benefit from Spotify’s reward package and financial assistance which will enable them to take the vital next steps in their careers. We look forward to helping showcase music from all artists involved to our global audience of 100+ million users.”
Since 2013 Momentum fund has supported over 159 artists, 80 new albums and more than 100 UK tours totaling over 650 UK live dates. This year’s impact report analysing the last three years of the fund revealed that every £1 invested by Momentum has generated £7.46 for the UK music industry.
See the full list and support details below.
Bassboy – Recording and promotion
Bad Sounds – Marketing, promotion, and tour support
Blaenavon – UK tour
Georgia – UK tour
Kate Tempest – UK tour and marketing
Kero Kero Bonito – Album release
Laura Groves – Recording
Leo Kalyan – Marketing and UK tour
Love Ssega – Recording and marketing
Moses Boyd – Recording and marketing
Mount Kimbie – AV Development and Marketing
Scorpz – Recording and marketing
ShaoDow – Marketing and promotion
Splurgeboys – UK tour and marketing
Tigercub – UK tour
Tusks – Writing, recording and producing release
Two Another – Production, recording and release launch
Vessel – Recording, UK tour and marketing
Yonaka – UK tour
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