31 March, 2021

Amplify: Nest Collective Mentorship 2021

Amplify is our artist development programme. It aims to do as its name suggests: reinvigorate and develop contemporary and cross-cultural folk music in the UK by supporting the development of emerging music creators.

This year we are seeking four artists for our Amplify individually-tailored mentorship programme. Supported by PRS Foundation for Music and Arts Council England, and selected by a panel of industry professionals from an open call. The programme includes:

• Mentoring by industry professionals. Each artist will be paired with a mentor for a series of meetings
• £500 in seed funding to develop a project across their associate year. Eg: new work / recording project / new collaboration
• Showcase opportunities at Campfire Clubs, Magpie’s Nest festivals, and other Nest Collective events
• Facilitated networking with our wide range of industry contacts including agents, labels, studios, etc, tailored for each artist.
• Creation of digital promotion and assets, including a performance video, produced and promoted by the Nest Collective.
• Nature connection training as part of our upcoming 3-day residency.

Selection Panel

This year our selection panel comprises:

Lexy Moravaridi (Contemporary Music Programmer at Southbank Centre)

Lexy has been passionately involved in the UK’s independent music sector for the past 10 years, gaining experience across various areas of the industry. Currently a Contemporary Music Programmer at the Southbank Centre, he has worked as a live booking agent, developing some of the most exciting acts in the contemporary UK jazz scene, has spent time in label services and has overseen several recorded projects.

Guy Morley (Founder of international arts organisation No Nation)

Guy founded No-Nation in 2007 having worked for over 10 years as a promoter and programmer at national venues including Manchester’s Band on the Wall where he developed expertise in jazz, contemporary and world music, and Brighton Dome and Festival where he curated the music and dance programmes. Through No-Nation Guy curated and managed the music programme for the 40,000 capacity Big Chill Festival (2007-2009), and in 2010-2011 acted as Managing Director for Sound and Music, the UK’s main contemporary music development organisation, which he led through a dramatic change process including restructuring and refocusing the artistic vision.

Sarah Coxson (Agent at Alan Bearman Music, former reviews editor for fRoots magazine)

Sarah Coxson has worked in folk and world music for the past three decades, primarily as a live booking agent and as Deputy/Reviews Editor of fRoots magazine. She has also worked in music PR and consultancy. Based in North Wales, Sarah currently works as lead booking agent and artistic advisor for UK music agency and events company, Alan Bearman Music. She is one of the ‘7 Samurai’ jury panel selecting showcases for WOMEX 2020 in Budapest.

Thom Ashworth (Nest Collective Programme Manager and Technical Producer)

Sam Lee (Nest Collective Artistic Director)

Selection process

Applications open Wednesday 31st March, and close on Friday 7th May.

Successful applicants will be contacted by 16th May.

Due to the volume of applications, we are unable to give feedback to all applications, only those who are shortlisted.

How to apply

Applications are now closed.

We are delighted to announce that the recipients of the Amplify Mentorship Programme for 2021 are:

Ceitidh Mac, Marie Bashiru, Paddi Benson & Grace Lemon, and Ruby Colley