PRS Foundation, the UK’s leading charitable funder of new music and talent development, together with PPL, Creative Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland and Spotify reveal the next artists who will receive support from the pioneering PPL Momentum Music Fund.  The artists, who have been selected by a network of industry experts, are:

Abi Sampa – recording and marketing

Arborist – recording

Death of Guitar Pop – marketing

GOAT GIRL – touring and marketing

Molly Payton – recording

Mystry – recording, marketing and touring

Santino Le Saint – marketing

Sŵnami – recording, marketing and promotion

Yard Act – recording and promotion

PPL Momentum supported Sŵnami said, “As a band, we are chuffed to receive PPL Momentum support from PRS Foundation. It will help us realise our aims and goals and push our music further than ever before.”

Kwame Safo, Grants & Programmes Manager (Industry Funds) at PRS Foundation said: “During these incredibly uncertain times it has become more important than ever that talented UK based music creators at crucial tipping points still have access to this type of vital and timely support to progress their careers. Congratulations to everyone that has been supported in this latest round.”

Sarah Mitchell, Director of Membership and Communications at PPL said: “In 2020 the PPL Momentum Fund helped 55 acts continue to develop their careers during an extremely challenging time for the industry. Paying out an average of just under £10,000 to each act, the fund did a great job of adapting its support to the needs of those building their careers in music. This year will be no different. PPL is proud to continue offering this funding opportunity to artists at a tipping point in their careers and we wish the latest recipients all the best for the future.”

Jo Wright, Music Officer, Arts Council of Northern Ireland added, “The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to partner with PRS Foundation on PPL Momentum Music Fund, a vital initiative which enables our artists to take that all important next step in the development of their professional music careers.  We are committed to providing valuable, meaningful opportunities for our artists to develop and this funding programme offers artists not only the opportunity to connect with the UK-wide industry, but also to showcase the tremendous talent that is inherent to Northern Ireland on an international stage.  Congratulations to all the artists taking part in this round and to Northern Ireland’s, Mark McCambridge (Arborist), who will benefit greatly from this opportunity to record his new album.”

The next deadline to apply for PPL Momentum support is 24th May 2021 at 6pm.  The application portal is open for application submissions now and can be accessed via prsfoundation.com.

Managed by PRS Foundation, the PPL Momentum Music Fund awards grants of £5,000-£15,000 using funds from PRS Foundation, PPL, Creative Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland. Spotify, the official digital partner on the fund, contributes additional funding and a reward package containing exciting promotional opportunities and a close working relationship between Momentum artists and the Spotify team.

PPL became headline sponsors of the Momentum Music Fund in February 2020. Since then 55 talented music creators at tipping points in their careers have received this vital support to break through to the next level. This type of support is crucial for both music creators’ careers and the wider industry as the 5 Years of Momentum Report (2013-18) found the fund had generated over £18m for the UK music industry and UK economy.

PRS Foundation and Arts Council England initiated The Momentum Music Fund in 2013. Arts Council England originally established the need for this specific fund and supported the programme from 2013-18.

For a full rundown of all the artists supported so far see: http://prsfoundation.com/funding/momentum-music-fund/momentum-artists.

Listen to the latest PPL Momentum Music Fund supported artists on the Spotify Momentum playlist here.

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