AS THEY celebrate their 30th anniversary, Union Chapel is launching an exciting new talent programme New Voices this Autumn, designed to support underrepresented 18-25 year olds facing barriers into a career in the music industry.
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
Michael Chandler, CEO of Union Chapel
New Voices 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 and U2.
The New Voices programme will be launched with a socially-distanced event on August 13 headlined by South London rising rap star Che Lingo, whose music brings together hip hop, jazz and grime.
Che Lingo’s song Same Energy was the soundtrack to hit drama Top Boy and Che has since been signed to Idris Elba’s 7Wallace label, featured on FIFA21 and collaborated with the biggest names in UK rap including Kojey Radical and Ghetts.
His debut album The Worst Generation was recently nominated for Best Independent Album at the 2021 AIM Awards. Che Lingo first performed at Union Chapel as part of 2020’s ground-breaking Channel 4 programme The Whole Truth.
New Voices judges will include Emeli Sandé, Frank Turner, Lyrix Organix, Acoustic Life/Women Connect and more to be announced soon.
Turner says, “I’m proud and excited to be on the panel for New Voices. As a fan and as a writer, there’s nothing quite so brilliant as finding something new that knocks your socks off.”
Che is supported by award winning soul singer songwriter Amahla. Championed by Nile Rogers, she recently sold-out London’s Jazz Café.
Che will be headlining this intimate gig at Union Chapel. Main ticket price is £17 and reduced tickets priced £5.95 are available here. There will also be a Livestream announced shortly.
The New Voices programme will include a digital and livestreamed talent show providing profile, inspiration, networking and employment opportunities to new young talent. 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.
If you’re interested in entering New Voices, email [email protected] in the first instance and keep an eye on Union Chapel’s social media #newvoicesuk
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 added: “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.”
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