Images by Youth Music NextGen Photographer, Marie Debarbieux

The first show we saw was Youth Music NextGen Fund artist, Mari Mathias. The Welsh artist creates conversation with her Celtic language folk music, driving re-connection with forgotten aspects of Celtic nature and tradition.

The spellbinding set took place at Paganini Ballroom, The Old Ship, as part of a stage run by BBC Introducing and Horizons spotlighting emerging Welsh artists at the festival.

That evening, Youth Music NextGen Fund artist George Bloomfield took over the stage at One Church, hosted by OMEN Magazine. The Leeds-born and Brighton-based producer and composer channelled indie, jazz, funk and psychadelia for his performance, backed by a full band.

On Friday, we caught Youth Music NextGen Fund artist Claudia Fenoglio's afternoon show at The Hope & Ruin. Her first of two sets at The Great Escape, the Leeds-based indie-pop singer-songwriter blended bittersweet reflections on modern life with an intimate sound. 

Claudia's songwriting skills earned her a Youth Music Awards nomination last year, where her track "Girlfriends On TV" was up for the Original Track Award (Solo) sponsored by Levi's.

That night, we found ourselves back at Paganini Ballroom for Youth Music NextGen Fund artist Hulton's lively set. The bilingual rapper is creating his own style hip-hop, diving into themes of self-exploration and dream chasing. He's previously landed Track of the Week on BBC 1Xtra, so it was only natural his Great Escape show took place on 1XTra's stage.

Rounding off our Friday night was Youth Music project participant alumni, English Teacher. Returning to The Great Escape this year as a festival headliner. Last year, people queued round the block to catch a glimpse of the hotly tipped four-piece, so this year, they rightfully stepped up to the large-scale TGE Beach stage.

The headlining slot is just one of the band's many achievements since winning the Youth Music Awards 'Rising Star Award' back in 2022. From playing Glastonbury to scooping the Mercury Prize, the grassroots indie band are showing no signs of slowing down their rise to the top.

We were bright and early on Saturday for our 'Next Generation Day', hosted in collaboration with BBC Introducing. The panels explored how emerging artists and industry professionals can break through, secure deals, and build lasting careers.

Kicking off with presentations from Kelly Betts and Fuzz Chaudrey at BBC Introducing, and our own NextGen Community Producer, Talia Andrea, the first panel was all about making it in live music. Talia was joined by ATC Live's Sarah Joy, Youth Music NextGen Fund Promoter, Manager and Radio Presenter, Alex West, as well as Tour Manager, Nyla Davison. The panel was moderated by new Youth Music Ambassador and BBC Radio 1 presenter, Jodie Bryant.

The panel discussed what it takes to make a live show happen, and how you can make your night a success – whether you’re an artist or a budding promoter yourself. They delved into everything from managing budgets to curating a great audience experience.

Following on from his sold-out show with Rizzle Kicks on Friday, our Grassroots Hero Jordan Stephens took to the stage for an exclusive keynote conversation with presenter, BBC Introducing DJ & tastemaker Abbie McCarthy to explore Jordan’s boundary breaking career to date.

As an emerging artist, how do you know when it’s time to sign? Moderated by BBC Asian Network presenter, Jasmine Takhar, our panel of industry experts included Chloé Ameh (Director, That’s My Jamm), artist manager Anique Cox and Youth Music NextGen Fund artist and Youth Music Awards 2024 'Rising Star Award' winner, Richard Carter. The panel gave advice about the kind of support you might need for the stage of your career, how to start building your team, and the benefits of signing to management or a label versus staying independent.

Our last panel will discuss tips and tricks for getting your creative project in front of press, from magazines and TV, to radio and playlisting. Moderated by Clash Magazine editor, Robin Murray, he was joined by Elspeth Merry (Artists’ Way), Tom Poole (Day Job), Fuzz Chaudhrey (Network Producer, BBC Introducing) and Youth Music NextGen Fund Artist and One to Watch 2025, RIYA. The panellists shared their pearls of wisdom when it comes to press, how to avoid pitching pitfalls, and insider information about what tastemakers look for when they’re selecting who to spotlight.

Finally, we saw Youth Music NextGen Fund artist afromerm for an ethereal performance at the TGE Beach Soundwaves stage. A sound artist, composer, producer and poet, South London 2023 Oram Award winner combined electronic music vocal and poetic disciplines to construct intricate, evolving soundscapes that drew from contemporary, jazz and cinematic sound-worlds. Juniper, a motion-reactive instrument afromerm built, was used on stage to manipulate sound for a truly magical effect.

Want more Great Escape content? Check out our NextGen Content Creator's video diary below...