Our Artist of the Month slot in the playlist in November is being devoted to new talent. We have been running a music competition as part of this year’s Aesthetica Film Festival, and invited musicians to enter with the chance of winning a place at the final and some amazing prizes. Out of over 200 acts, a jury made up of professionals within the music industry chose 10 breakthrough music acts who will be competing live at York Theatre Royal on Saturday 8th November as the city becomes the UK’s epicentre of music discovery. This year’s line-up is a showcase of exceptional breadth and originality, with artists who have performed at SXSW, Glastonbury and Kendal Calling, appeared on The Voice and received plays from BBC Introducing, Radio 1 and Radio X.
The New Music Stage will feature all ten finalists and is a bold, innovative platform like nothing else in the country — dubbed as the UK’s version of SXSW and a first-of-its-kind national music competition embedded within a world-class film festival. The finalists will perform in front of Universal Music talent scouts, will be given the opportunity for national airplay across Caffè Nero stores, and the winner will win a £1000 prize! The festival is creating a pipeline that connects grassroots talent with national and international audiences.
In November we will be featuring music by a number of artists who were shortlisted out of the over 200 entries. Their music will play every day in all Caffè Nero’s across the UK between 15.30 and 15.45 for all of November.
The final of the competition will be held in the wonderful Theatre Royal, York, starting at 2pm on Saturday 8th November. The audience will be given the opportunity to vote for their favourite act and to hear new voices, discover tomorrow’s stars, and be part of shaping the future of UK music.
The line-up includes the following acts:
• BLÁNID – With a rich, storytelling voice that has graced BBC Radio 1 and RTÉ, BLÁNID has earned over a million streams and toured the UK with folk legend Judy Collins. Her music blends grief, ecstasy, and everything in between, marking her as a star in the making.
• Jemma Johnson – The self-taught multi-instrumentalist is taking alternative pop to new heights. With Radio 1 airplay, festival slots from Tramlines to MiCannes, and collaborations with major UK artists, her live presence is nothing short of magnetic.
• Crazy James – A rapper forging his own path through sheer craft and consistency. Known for blistering flows and commanding live sets, Crazy James has turned grassroots energy into headline moments across London and beyond.
• Ewan Sim – Blending indie, pop, rock, and soul into songs of intimacy and power, Ewan Sim has sold-out shows in Manchester and recently impressed audiences at SXSW London. His voice is already earning national attention.
• Daisy Gill – Liverpool’s retro-pop sensation brings powerhouse vocals and modern production. Her rare four-chair turn on The Voice UK and 10 million TikTok views show she’s a rising star whose anthems stick with you.
• Dilettante – The art-pop project of Francesca Pidgeon delivers dazzling, groove-laden sets that have taken her from Manchester basements to SXSW and NXNE. Signed to EMI North and praised by MOJO and Uncut, her sound is as inventive as it is infectious.
• Kengo – A songwriter and vocalist who channels honesty and lived experience into music that bridges emotion and spirit. These tracks are rich in lyrical depth and melodic sensitivity, speaking about connection, healing and resilience.
• Tarian – A Welsh artist blending hip hop with emotive pop and classical roots. With over 2M streams and a loyal TikTok following, Tarian is a genre-defying talent to watch.
• Isabel Maria – Just 19, Isabel Maria has already won major cultural awards and been celebrated by Rolling Stone for her raw, alternative pop songwriting.
• Pleasure Centre – An alt/art rock quintet from the North Yorkshire coast, Pleasure Centre conjure delicate melodies and euphoric walls of sound inspired by shoegaze and Radiohead.
Tickets are still available for the final in York on the 8th November. Click here!
