New Voices, the exciting new talent programme devised by London’s acclaimed live music venue and social enterprise Union Chapel, is now open for entries.

Competition finalists will be invited to a perform live at Union Chapel in November and performances will be filmed and livestreamed to world, providing profile, inspiration, networking and employment opportunities to new young talent. The deadline for submissions is October 25, 2021.

In the year the iconic venue celebrates its 30th anniversary, the New Voices programme will be championing the UK’s most exciting young musicians, rappers and wordsmiths, aiming to give young people the opportunity to share their talent and perform on the legendary Union Chapel stage, which has hosted some of the world’s most iconic artists including Amy Winehouse, Adele, Noel Gallagher, Elton John and U2.

New Voices is a programme designed to reflect Union Chapel’s growing commitment to provide opportunities for underrepresented youth and communities, in this instance for those facing barriers into a career in the music industry. The judging panel includes artists Frank Turner and Emmy the Great, Lyrix Organix (hosts of Glastonbury Festival’s legendary Rum Shack), Acoustic Live and Women Connect with more to be announced soon.

Union Chapel is at the forefront of digital live arts streaming – Laura Marling’s live stream, one of the first of its kind in the UK, was broadcast from the venue in June 2020, and since then Union Chapel has hosted a hugely diverse range of filmed performances and talks, from Celeste, Rag N Bone Man, Michaela Coel, Stephen Fry, Russell Watson, Hassan Akkad, Sam Smith and Arlo Parks amongst others.

How to enter:

· Entrants must be between the age of 18 – 25 to enter.
· Record a short demo performance video of your own work and email [email protected]
· All styles of music and performance will be considered.
· Union Chapel are keen to hear and see performances that display ‘conscious lyricism’.
· Union Chapel encourage and supports freedom of speech. However, please note if your lyrics and performances are discriminatory or inciting/harmful in any way, they will not be considered for this competition.
· Union Chapel will ask for your permission to circulate the video on our socials as part of the judging process. You will need to complete a consent form for them to do this.

· Deadline for submissions is October 25, 2021.

New Voices is a partnership between Union Chapel and Lyrix Organix, the team behind the late-night stage Rum Shack Glastonbury that has been graced by the likes of Akala, Kae Tempest, Kojey Radical and Mike Skinner. Lyrix Organix create opportunities for emerging artists and young music industry talent through youth-led education programmes that support charities and social action.

Michael Chandler, CEO of Union Chapel says, ‘The launch of the New Voices programme marks an enormously exciting and important moment for Union Chapel, and for young talent. Young people have been particularly adversely affected by the pandemic and training and employment; young performers have had very little opportunity to develop or perform over the last year; and young people from diverse ethnic communities are underrepresented in the live music industry. As we celebrate our 30th anniversary and the return of live music, we are committed to addressing these issues and providing more opportunities and voice to our young people is core to Union Chapel’s future work. This work with the brilliant Lyrix Organix is just the beginning.’

Lyrix Organix say, ‘”The opportunity to partner with Union Chapel, one of our personal favourite live venues in the world, is a dream. Together we are set to unlock a new generation of changemakers in the live music industry, both on and back-stage. We are so excited to spotlight some of the UK’s foremost emerging talent who we are certain will shake up the industry from rap to jazz, soul to spoken word (and beyond). Both Lyrix Organix and Union Chapel exist outside the mainstream industry, for wider communities, with social action at their respective core. Together we are committed to remodelling the live music industry for good. This launch of New Voices is the beginning”.

For further information on how to enter and Ts and Cs go to unionchapel.org.uk/projects/events/new-voices