Issue 76 / April 2017

Xamvolo
Eleanor Nelly
GRADUATING WITH
FLYING COLOURS
LIMF Academy stars XAMVOLO and ELEANOR
NELLY are the latest artists to benefit from the
award-winning support offered by the country’s
largest free music festival; we find out more.
For what seems like forever and a day, Liverpool has
bubbled over with musical talent, and not just from
those born here: folks come from all around the world to
soak up the culture and feed off the heritage of the city,
to find inspiration and hone their art.
As keen supporters of nurturing local, grassroots artists,
Bido Lito! believe that LIMF Academy, the development arm of
Liverpool International Music Festival, has contributed massively
to the Liverpool music scene over the past five years, and we
are proud once again to play a part in the launch of the 2017
programme. Bido Lito!’s Editor Christopher Torpey will return to
the selection panel, alongside festival curator Yaw Owusu, BBC
Introducing Merseyside’s Dave Monks and Grammy Awardwinning
producer Steve Levine. Joe Frankland from PRS for
Music and Oliver Morris from UK Music will also be on the judging
panel; both of the institutions they represent are integral to the
funding of LIMF Academy.
The idea behind the Academy project is to provide
workshops, expert advice, studio time, publicity and experience
to shortlisted young artists. Each summer, the artists perform on
the Academy stage at LIMF’s Summer Jam festival in Sefton Park,
sharing a bill with some of the UK music industry’s best new
talent. A festival highlight from 2016 was hearing Eleanor Nelly,
XamVolo and Amique fronting the Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
at the opening ceremony on the main stage. Start with breathtaking,
then add some.
At the end of each year the three artists that the
Academy deems to be Most Ready move on to the Elite Talent
Development Programme. As part of this, they are awarded a
healthy bursary and a further 12-month programme of support
and promotion, including studio time with Steve Levine. Last
year’s lucky three, Eleanor Nelly, Lumen and Suedebrown, have
shone through: Eleanor and 2015 Most Ready artist XamVolo
have since landed deals with the legendary Decca label. Proof, if
needed, that LIMF Academy works, from Liverpool to the rest of
the world…
This year’s LIMF Academy application process launches
on 6th April and is open to 16-25 year-olds. To prove that the
Academy takes that younger end seriously, consider Eleanor
Nelly: having applied for the programme in 2015 while she was
still at school, she was named a One To Watch artist and received
a boost in profile; the following year she applied again and was
placed through the Academy’s mentoring and development
programme; now, with the assistance of one of the biggest
record labels in the word, she is ready to go global, at just 17. We
asked her how important the LIMF Academy support has been in
helping her take her unique brand of infectious country folk to the
next level.
“Yeh it has, one hundred percent! Being a part of the
masterclass sessions and getting the mentoring has been
a massive help in helping me find my feet, and working out
what route I want to take. You learn things from industry
professionals, from their experiences, that you probably couldn’t
learn anywhere else!”
If it all sounds like hard work, Eleanor doesn’t agree, insisting
that she has enjoyed being involved with the programme right
from the start. “There are so many things I got to do and see, and
especially being the One To Watch and the Most Ready. BUT,
my favourite part of it was playing with the Philharmonic Youth
Orchestra on the Main Stage: I still have no words to explain just
how amazing that was for me. One of the most amazing gigs I’ve
ever, ever had, ever!”
“I’d tell them to just
go for it. Being a part
of the Academy is
a massive help to
reach that next step”
Eleanor is a powerhouse of enthusiasm and has the potential
to inspire other like-minded teenagers to give it a go, and she
recommends that any budding artists should take a chance and
apply. “I’d tell them to just go for it. Being a part of the Academy
is a massive help to reach that next step, whether that’s just for
exposure, the experience, the mentoring and masterclasses, or
the feedback. What have ya got to lose?! You’re in the best city
for local and live music, do it and smash it!”
Similarly, XamVolo – a soulful 22-year-old jazz/hip hop
pioneer who can melt a room within seconds of breathing
into the mic – is full of praise for the opportunities LIMF Academy
has opened up for him. “I reckon I learnt a lot about the live
show from being in the Academy; the opportunity to play a fair
few gigs helped me familiarise myself with how to interact with
an audience organically. It was good to have the support there
to keep moving forwards. Everyone can benefit from some
career direction at any stage, particularly such an early one.”
What advice, then, would he offer anyone who is thinking
of applying? “I’ve felt most confident about my music when there
was a reason behind making it. Aside from the confidence boost
and the real-world motivation to create, the tangible support
the Academy offers you helps you think about everything in a
different way. I can only think of good things that have resulted in
being a part of it.”
The panel of judges recognise the breadth of talent on
offer, each year finding it difficult to select the twenty longlisted
artists, who are then all able to attend masterclass sessions,
as well as perform at showcase events across the country.
BBC Introducing Merseyside’s Dave Monks tells us that the level
of talent runs across the board, explaining “they all possess
something that made them stand out, they are distinctive.
I think Eleanor’s performance at the Magnet confirmed she
had something that made everyone keen to have her involved
last year.”
In contrast to the tired TV talent shows that tend to hold
a formulaic approach, one that could potentially alienate more
individualistic artists like XamVolo and Lumen, projects like LIMF
Academy are vital in encouraging individuality. LIMF collaborator
Joe Frankland, from funding body PRS For Music, recognises this:
“The Academy’s knack for unearthing young, fresh talent is great
– but, more importantly, that talent comes out of this completely
clued-up and ready to go.”
The potential of these new artists is staggering and we can
only wonder what new talents will emerge in 2017. So, if you’re
sat there wishing you were the next breakout star to sign up with
an internationally-renowned record label, what are you waiting
for? The Academy is open.
Words: Del Pike / @del_pike
Photography: Georgia Flynn and Robin Clewley
Applications for this year’s LIMF Academy open on 6th April,
closing on 27th April. You can see more about the LIMF Academy
programme, and how to apply, at limfestival.tumblr.com.
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