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In 2015 the LIMF Academy saw 2,000 budding Merseyside musicians attend the free masterclasses and workshops, of which twenty performed at showcases and three lucky winners were signed on to the Elite Talent Development Programme. Those three – Michael Seary, Jalen N’Gonda and Amique will perform at Proud Galleries this April.
LIMF Curator Yaw Owusu has been developing and building the LIMF Academy since 2013 comments, “New talent is the life blood of this city. It’s brilliant that the Academy has been able to showcase, develop and help a lot of the key new artists and bands coming through at the moment. It is such a central part of what we are trying to achieve with LIMF.”
BBC Radio 1 & 1Xtra’s DJ Target comments, “I’m always looking out for and supporting new music, the LIMF Academy consistently unearths some of the most incredible new music bands and artists from Liverpool, many of who I’ve gone on to play on my show, so I’m happy to be involved in their first London showcase.”
Michael Seary is a musician, producer and DJ that is fast becoming one of the hottest prospects from Liverpool’s underground scene. He has been heavily tipped for the top by various regional platforms including Radio 1Xtra, XFM and The Skinny. He recently released a music video for his single ‘You Are Mine’ featuring Spokazi that featured on BBC Introducing’s 1Xtra playlist in March 2016.
Jalen N’Gonda will take to the stage with his unique brand of soul-pop. Since 2015’s LIMF Summer Jam he has performed at Fiesta Bombada and Liverpool Soulfest, as well as supporting touring acts such as Frances, Martha Reeves and Laura Mvula.
Rounding up the three most-ready artists of 2015 is Amique, who creates music that fuses soul, rock, funk and jazz with a striking originality that explicitly pays homage to the greats that came before him. He has performed at Wireless Festival as well as supported touring acts including Snarky Puppy, Kirk Whalum and JP Cooper.
Also appearing on the night, as very special guests, are some of LIMF Academy’s other discoveries; Liverpool-based electro-pop band Halem, the group features vocal-ist Katy Bryson, keyboardist/drummer Reece Cairns and keyboardist/vocalist Jiwon Chung. SUEDEBROWN, a DJ & producer across grime, hip-hop, soul & trap who has produced official remixes for Yolanda Be Cool, Steve Aoki/Iggy Azealia and Sneakbo to date. And jazz/soul artist Xamvolo who has gained substantial support in recent months from key industry figures such as BBC Radio new music gurus Huw Stephens and Mistajam, and Radio X’s John Kennedy.
The LIMF Academy is one of the leading music development programmes in the North-West offering performance opportunities, training, workshops and investment to Merseyside’s emerging music talent. The scheme offers the opportunity for budding artists and bands between the ages of 13-25 to perform on the LIMF Academy stage at Europe’s biggest free music event, LIMF Summer Jam, as well as free access to professional career advice, training and development.
In 2016, a 12 month Elite Talent Development Programme will again be awarded to three of the artists or bands which includes career investment, mentoring, regional and national performance opportunities and numerous other benefits including professionally produced biography, press shots and music.