Artists from across the South West of England have come together to raise funds for venues in Glastonbury affected by COVID-19.

Music venues across the UK have understandably had to close their doors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Running a venue can be a precarious business. The current slashing of income adds to their challenges.

To help venues in Glastonbury, the town that lends its name to the more famous festival down the road at Pilton, a mammoth 91- track fundraising album has been released.

Imprints performing at Glastonbury Calling, February 2020. Pic by Joe Lepper

The album has been created by the organisers of the Glastonbury Calling festival, which takes place at venues across the town each February.

It features those that have played or simply want their tracks on to help venues across Glastonbury.

“Mainly these artists are based in the West Country and we can’t thank them enough for contributing a track on this epic sprawling album,” say festival organisers.

“Thanks to everyone who contributed their help by buying, promoting and putting this beast together.”

The album is called Now That’s What I Call Glastonbury Calling and is available on June 12.

The Legendary Snake, Snake, Snake at Glastonbury Calling, February 2020. Pic by Joe Lepper

The album is split into two ‘sides’ costing £10 each, or £15 if you buy both. Side one includes 48 tracks from local acts such as Craig & Alex Priddice, The Legendary Snake, Snake, Snake. A cover of Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine’s The Only Living Boy in New Cross by Nick Parker and Les Carter himself also features.

Meanwhile, side two features 43 tracks so far, with more to be added. This includes tracks from among others: Imprints, Lonely Tourist, Liam Howard, Steve Henderson, Flipron and Zion Train.

By Joe Lepper

The final acts vying for a main stage slot at Glastonbury Festival 2021 as well as a £5,000 prize have been announced.

The eight finalists in the Glastonbury Festival’s Emerging Talent 2020 competition have been revealed.

The eight acts were to have battled it out in a live finals last month with the winner set for a main stage slot at this year’s event.

But then COVID-19 struck and Glastonbury Festival had to be cancelled this year.

Instead, the judges will pick a winner without a live finals. Their top choice will earn a main stage slot at the 2021 festival. The winner also nets a £5,000 PRS for Music prize, while two runners up will receive £2,500 each.

The winner is set to be announced in June.

Eight finalists

In the meantime good luck to the eight finalists: Ajimal, Courting, Frankie Beetlestone, Hannie, Joshua Burnside, Kathleen Frances, RAE and Matilda Mann.

More details about the finalists can be found here.

Festival organiser Emily Eavis said: “There were so many great acts on the longlist, and narrowing it down from 90 acts to eight certainly wasn’t an easy task.

“But I’m really happy with the finalists we have, and I very much hope that people will take the time to check them all out.”

Becci Scotcher, PRS Foundation senior grants & programmes manager, added: “Congratulations to all the finalists of this year’s Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition.

“Yet again the standard of the shortlisted music creators is incredibly high and it will be an exciting and lively judging panel to decide the winners and runners-up.”

Also good luck for the future for all the remaining 90 longlisters who didn’t make it to the shortlist stage this time.

This includes The Covasettes, Maphe and The Elephant Trees, the three selected by Neonfiller.com long list judge Joe Lepper.

The Covid-19 pandemic saw this year’s Glastonbury Festival, like so many other major events, cancelled.

Nevertheless the event’s Emerging Talent Competition is continuing, with this year’s top prize of a main stage slot instead transferred to next year’s event.

Earlier this year music writers, including Neonfiller co-editor Joe Lepper, had selected three acts each for the 90-strong long list for Glastonbury 2020 before lockdown was announced.

Now the Glastonbury Festival has revealed details of how this year’s competition will pan out mid-lockdown, with Glastonbury Festival 2021 in mind.

As usual, this year’s 90-strong longlist will be whittled down further to a shortlist of eight acts. But due to social distancing measures there will be no live finals at Pilton, near to the event site, ahead of the festival.

Instead the judges will select a winner and two runners up from the eight shortlisted acts, based on the videos and music links they have provided. The shortlist will be announced in the week commencing May 18th.

Festival organisers have confirmed that the winner will be given a main stage slot at Glastonbury Festival 2021, which will take place in June 2021. In addition, they will receive £5,000 Talent Development prize from the PRS Foundation. The two runners up will receive £2,500 PRS Foundation prizes.

“At a time when the live music industry is on hold, and upcoming artists are not able to get out there and showcase their talents, I’m so pleased that we’re still able to shine a light on the best new acts in the UK and Ireland through the Emerging Talent Competition,” said Festival organiser Emily Eavis.

“I’m hugely looking forward to hearing the 90 acts on the longlist – and I really hope that lots of others will listen and choose their favourites too.”

Listen to all 90 longlist artists.

Neonfiller.com’s three selections

Good luck to all those longlisted acts especially the three artists chosen by Neonfiller.com.

These are:

The Covasettes, who pack a punch, drawing you immediately into their catchy melodies and unique take on guitar pop. Live they look they can more than handle a Glastonbury main stage crowd too.

Maphe was picked by us for her ability to perfectly build up her music, which is full of soaring, catchy choruses. Her track Fire instantly appeals and she also impressed with her live clip submission, for I’ll Break Your Heart (Nicely) – a mean song delivered with a wicked smile. A star in the making?

North of England trio The Elephant Trees are full of infectious energy, especially with their submitted track Idiot. They are more than a little reminiscent of the Go Team!, producing indie pop you can dance to. They already look like they would feel right at home on a Glastonbury main stage.

by Joe Lepper

We were huge fans of the first Girl Ray album, so it is exciting that they have announced new music and a tour in November.

There is already a song that you can listen to, and buy from their Bandcamp page. Watch the video for ‘Show Me More’ below, the first song from Girl Ray’s forthcoming album Girl. (Released via Moshi Moshi on 8th November).

Indietracks is back this July for another weekend of pop music at a steam railway; and we’ll be there to enjoy one of the most enjoyable events in the music calendar. We caught up with one of the organisers, Beck Conway, to find out a bit more about the festival and what makes it so special.

So many small festivals come and go. How do you think you manage to stay successful?

B: We’re lucky to have an amazing community around Indietracks and people come back each year and also spread the word about us. We try not to stand still and the musical scope of the festival has evolved festival over the years to stay up-to-date with what’s happening in DIY indie/pop music.

The first time I ever heard of The Spook School was seeing them at Indietracks. This year they play one of their final shows. How does it feel to see a band go through their whole lifespan with the festival?

B: I feel like the Spook School are the beating heart of Indietracks – they’re so loved by everybody and it’s been fantastic to see them develop and become this incredibly important band since I first saw them opening up the main stage at Indietracks in 2012. I really don’t want them to leave us but I’m glad the festival and the Spooks get the chance to say goodbye to each other.

Out of the lesser-known acts playing this year, who is the one you’d pick to be a big name in 5 years?

B: I’d like to see so many of the bands playing this year have the chance to become big enough to make music full-time and get their songs out there. If I have to pick, I think Foundlings and L I P S are both new bands who make incredibly catchy, polished pop which is really radio friendly – Alvvays-esque. If a band was going to get huge on the back of their live shows – Kermes would take some beating. I saw them recently and Emily, the singer, hopped off the stage and wandered around the venue mid-set! I’ve seen Fresh quite a few times over the years and they’re really evolving into an incredible band that you can imagine following the same trajectory as Martha.

It you were invited to run a version of the festival in another country what would the dream country and venue be? Or wouldn’t work anywhere else?

B: The randomness of Indietracks taking place on a heritage railway is a huge part of its charm and we couldn’t (and wouldn’t want to) organise it without the Midland Railway. However, it would be amazing to have an Indietracks with guaranteed good weather! If we could find a heritage railway in Spain that can hold a music festival, perhaps we could collaborate with some of our Spanish pals to create Indietracks en Espana!

If you could only see bands on one stage (outdoor, shed, church or train) then which would you pick?

B: This is hard! On the indoor stage, it has to be the Spook School’s final Indietracks show. I don’t think there’s going to be a dry eye in the house! I’m really excited about seeing Child’s Pose and Current Affairs in the church – both are quite new bands with amazing releases under their belts already and are incredibly poppy but loud (my favourite combination!). I’m obsessed with Kero Kero Bonito at the moment and can’t wait to see them close the outdoor stage.

What is your favourite non-music related thing that everyone who visits the festival should make a point of seeing?

B: I really just love the way that the festival site looks when the sun goes down – the big sky, the lights illuminating the trains. It’s really magical to wander around at night. Riding on the steam train is also pretty cool and free for festival-goers!

If money was no obstacle who would you book?

B: Bikini Kill!

You said you had 500 applicants this year. You therefore can’t put everyone on. Have you ever rejected someone that you really wish you’d put on the bill?

B: All the time! Although we’re looking for bands that make music we love when we curate the festival, we also try to create a balanced line-up with different types of artists – louder bands, quieter bands, solo performers etc. We do make a mental note of bands that we like but don’t pick for one reason or another so we can come back to them in future. There are quite a few bands on the bill this year who have applied before but weren’t previously selected.

You don’t have to name names, but have you ever booked anyone that you’ve regretted putting on the bill?

B: No, I don’t think so. I can’t remember a time when I regretted booking a particular band – we do really agonise over who we want to book so it’d be unlikely we’d get it that wrong, I think.

A few years ago myself and some friends rode the miniature railway on the site. It appeared to be driven by J Mascis. Are you able to confirm or deny if he works for the railway?

B: I’m not able to confirm or deny this – you’ll have to conduct some further investigations this year.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.indietracks.co.uk.

Beck Conway was interviewed by Dorian Rogers

The annual three day mega feast of new music that is Dot to Dot returns over three dates in three cities. May 25th Manchester, May 26th Bristol and Nottingham May 27th .

For the price of a couple of London pints you can spend the day in the company of The Slow Show, Crystal Fighters and up and coming King No One.

There’s Brooklyn based Miss Grit to savour, also our favourites Crow and The Viagra boys who you simply must see live. In fact you’ll be spoilt rotten for choice, check out the website and top up the car, get on it.

www.dottodotfestival.co.uk

By John Haylock

We are delighted to announce that Roma Palace, one of our three long list entries for the Glastonbury Festival Emerging Talent competition, has made it through to this month’s finals.

“Brighton based Roma Palace impressed us with their fresh take on indie pop and rock, with a slice of blues thrown into the mix,” said Neonfiller co-editor Joe Lepper, who is one of 30 music writers to help compile the 90-strong longlist for this year’s competition.

Roma Palace

“The band’s strong vocals and a pop sensibility, reminiscent of the likes of Phoenix, further add to their appeal.”

Commiserations to our other two choices, Saachi and Laura Goldthorpe, who also submitted very strong entries, as well as the other long-listers who missed out.

Roma Palace will now compete with Che Lingo, iiola, LIINES, Marie White, Shunaji, Swimming Girls and YAMAYA in a live finals on April 27.

A playlist of tracks from all the finalists can be found here

The winner will earn a main stage slot at this year’s Glastonbury Festival a well as a £5,000 Talent Development prize from PRS Foundation.

Two runners up will also each be awarded a £2,5000 PRS Foundation prize.

by Joe Lepper

The 90 acts vying for a main stage slot and a £5,000 prize in the Glastonbury Festival Emerging Talent Competition 2019 have been revealed.

The successful acts were chosen by 30 music online music writers, including Neonfiller’s Joe Lepper. Each writer selected three acts, with Joe picking singer-songwriter Laura Goldthorp, Brighton band Roma Palace and London jazz pop act Saachi.

Songs submitted by the acts can be found via the Glastonbury Festival website.

The acts will now be whittled down to an eight-strong shortlist, who will compete in a live finals next month in Pilton, near to the festival site.

Main stage prize

The winners will earn a main stage slot as well as a £5,000 PRS for Music Foundation Talent Development prize. Two runners up will also each be awarded a £2,500 from PRS for Music Foundation.

ETC 2016 winners She Drew The Gun

Previous winners have included She Drew the Gun, who scooped the prize in 2016 and impressed recently during their UK tour. Declan McKenna is another notable winner, signing for Columbia shortly after winning in 2015.

Once again I’m spending an enjoyable February helping to judge the prestigious Glastonbury Festival Emerging Talent Competition.

Along with 29 other music writers, my task is to help whittle down 5,500 entries to a 90 strong long list from which eight acts will be chosen to compete in a battle of the bands contest in April.

With a main stage slot and a £5,000 PRS for Music Foundation Talent Development prize up for grabs this is one the best talent competitions around for aspiring artists.

As with previous three years I like to focus on some of the acts that have caught my attention so far during judging and are in contention to earn a chance to appear at the Glastonbury Festival.

Here are some that have grabbed my attention so far:

Laura Goldthorp – Candy Shops

Laura Goldthorp entered the competition as a singer/songwriter and she has nailed it on both counts. Her song Candy Shops is a ready made pop classic, with instant radioplay appeal. Her vocals are superb too with this fine song delivered beautifully in the live clip she submitted. Why is she not already a household name? She very well may be if she makes my final three and can progress all the way to a main stage slot at the Glastonbury Festival.

Roma Palace – Take My Heart Away

I’m a sucker for some funky guitar playing in my pop music, which meant Roma Palace from Brighton instantly made an impression on me. Smart harmonies at the start of this track also impressed.

Saachi – Raw

This London based jazz/pop group’s lead singer Saachi Sen is enfused with the spirit of the late great Laura Nyro. This clip also shows that sometimes clips filmed in a living room can be the most attention grabbing. Their recent single Redcoat is also worth watching.

by Joe Lepper

Glastonbury Festival has announced details of its 2019 Emerging Talent Competition, which offers aspiring acts the chance to compete for a main stage slot at this year’s event.

The competition is free to enter and the winner also receives a £5,000 talent development prize from the PRS Foundation. Two runners-up prizes from the PRS Foundation of £2,500 will also be made available.

The competition opens for one week only, from 9am Monday 28 January to 5pm Monday 4^th February, via the Glastonbury Festivals website.

To enter, acts will need to supply a link to one original song on SoundCloud, plus a link to a video of themselves performing live (even if it’s only recorded in a bedroom).

Neonfiller.com is delighted to also announce that our co-editor Joe Lepper will once again be a long list judge for the competition. Each of these 30 judges will whittle down entries to a longlist of 90 acts from which eight finalists will be chosen to compete in a battle of the bands contest in April in Pilton, which is near to the festival’s Somerset site.

In the last four competitions all eight finalists have been offered slots at that year’s festival.

Previous winners

Recent winners have included She Drew the Gun, which scooped the prize in 2016 and saw their latest album Revolution of the Mind named among BBC 6 Music’s Top 10 albums of 2018.

ETC 2016 winners She Drew The Gun, pic by Joe Lepper

In 2015 it was won by Declan McKenna, who signed with Columbia shortly afterwards. Last year the competition as won by soul singer Josh Barry.

The competition also provides valuable publicity to the long list entries, such as Nadine Shah, who was named as one of our three entries in 2013.

Declan McKenna performing at Glastonbury 2015, pic by Joe Lepper

“After our year off, we can’t wait to hear the latest crop of undiscovered music that’s out there,” said Glastonbury co-organiser Emily Eavis.

“New music is hugely important to what this Festival is about, and the Emerging Talent Competition has helped us to unearth so many incredible artists from across the genres.”

Vanessa Reed, chief executive of PRS Foundation, added: “The Emerging Talent Competition is an incredibly exciting opportunity for talented up and coming artists to receive vital support to develop their careers and perform at the legendary Glastonbury Festival.”

by Joe Lepper