Karis Jade

North West

Karis Jade is a singer-songwriter from Bolton. She has performed with The Mouse Outfit on their UK tour, festivals such as Sounds From The Other City, and iconic venues such as Band on the Wall in Manchester. The NextGen Fund is currently supporting the development of her next project, a three-track EP.

Pronouns: she/her

yeguachita

yeguachita is a queer and neurodivergent Latin American singer, songwriter, and producer. They make music of all kinds, ranging from hip-hop and cumbia to vaporwave. Their NextGen Funded mixtape '[ BLESSINGS ]' will explore the more experimental side of their work, with a dystopian retrofuturistic/cyberpunk concept that explores the shortcomings of capitalism and colonialism, and how they leave people traumatised and isolated.

Robyn Saunders

Robyn Saunders is a Manchester based clarinettist who specialises in contemporary classical music, musical theatre and drag artistry. They have worked on theatre productions with the likes of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and they are an accomplished music educator. With the support of their NextGen Fund, they plan to host a one-night-only performance. 

RIYA

RIYA is an artist from North West England who writes and produces all her own music. She has received support from Rolling Stone, BBC and ITV, and has performed live at XOYO, Macron Stadium, Troxy, Barbican Theatre, Tate, Oxford Union, Manchester Museum and O2 Academy Islington. She has also been an artist resident at The Glasshouse, and was one of 48 participants in Europe to be selected for the Music Cities Network's 'Link Up Euro Connection' programme.

Livvy K

Livvy K is a singer, actress, model and presenter from Manchester. This year, she has worked on campaigns for Superdrug, Boohoo, Primark, British Fashion Council, and more. In October 2024, she was a host of our Youth Music Awards, and she supported Morgan on her UK tour in the same year.

James Gillaspy

James Gillaspy is a music industry professional based in Merseyside. He works at local music venue Future Yard, organises DIY gigs with his self-founded company Odd Productions, and is the founder of AGAIN - a business which sources second-hand clothing to use as zero-waste, low-cost artist merchandise. AGAIN has been piloted at The Great Escape Festival, and has had a lot of success with individual artists, many of whom have sold out all their AGAIN merch in one gig.

Freddy Gillmore

Freddy Gillmore is an alt-rock singer/songwriter based in Manchester. He frequently performs in the local music scene in addition to promoting gigs for other artists, and has headlined the Deaf Institute. He is currently working on his latest EP with the support of the NextGen Fund, which is due to release in 2025 alongside a launch show.

Ekkinz

Ekkinz is a Manchester-based producer and creative. He has curated his own club night, hosted a successful radio series across multiple stations, and created a conceptual hybrid live performance of his work. With the support of the NextGen Fund, he has been working towards releasing his self-produced EP 'Glimmer'.

Trees.R.Good

Trees.R.Good's musical work is geared towards inspiring listeners to better connect with nature to understand and combat the climate crisis. To date, they have taken part in various artistic programs such as Manchester Jazz Festival Soundcheck, Nubya Garcia’s Residency (Brighter Sound) and Manchester International Festival. They have also sold out their first Manchester and Brussels headline shows, accompanied by an 8-piece live band. The NextGen Fund has been supporting them to master, create visualisers for, and market their latest 7-track EP, 'Trees Are Good'.

Harvey Leacock

Harvey Leacock is the founder of Resistance, a DIY hardcore/punk platform which focuses on supporting underground musicians within heavy and alternative music. He has worked with bands such as Apogee, Gutter and more.