Frequently Asked Questions
What is Launchpad?
Launchpad supports emerging artists from Yorkshire by providing opportunities to help them develop their craft and / or career.
We are passionate about supporting any artist, musician, band, DJ, producer, singer - however you define yourself. If you are making and performing music, we offer support through a series of events and, for those that are selected, specific development opportunities.
Our program has supported an art-rock trio, a rapper, a Klezmer wind band, a neo-classical composer, a drum and bass music producer and many more.
Who is it for?
Artists who receive Launchpad support will have:
High quality music
A developed plan suitable to receive this level of support
A commitment to taking responsibility for their own career
A desire to learn
Launchpad offers opportunities and support for emerging artists, musicians, producers and composers in Yorkshire. If you have received funding support in the last 3 years from a large funding organisation (e.g. Help Musicians, PRS Foundation, Arts Council England) or industry organisation (e.g. management company, record label, publishing company), you may be beyond our level of support. If you have received funding and feel you need continued support, or just want to check your eligibility, please get in touch with us before applying.
What is the benefit in submitting my music to Launchpad?
After every deadline for Launchpad, we send your music to one of our “reviewers” - this includes local BBC Radio DJs, established artists, artist managers, record label staff and more. Even if you don’t end up being selected for Launchpad support, just applying is a great way to get your music heard by more people within the music industry.
When you submit your music you’ll be asked whether you’d like to be added to our mailing list. Doing so ensures you’ll receive regular updates about other opportunities and events that are available to you. These include workshops, talks, festival open calls, other funding deadlines and artist development opportunities, which could include Launchpad+ and/or Momentum Accelerator.
Who will be supported and how?
From the artists who submit to Launchpad, we will select and provide:
Approximately 10 artists with one to one advice and career guidance sessions
Approximately 6 artists with funding to record new music
A number of artists with opportunities to perform live either through our online platform and/or with partner events. Dependent on social restrictions.
Who’s already been supported?
In 2020, we supported 46 artists in total, with 27 receiving performance opportunities, 36 receiving bespoke industry advice and 9 receiving funding to record new music.
In 2019, we supported 46 artists in total, with 29 receiving live opportunities, 25 receiving industry mentoring and 9 receiving funding to record new music.
How to answer the questions in a written format
Brief Artist / Band Bio (approx. 200 words)
This is where you can give us an insight into who you are and what you do as an artist / band
We’d like to hear about what stage you are at as a music creator. How much music have you made, have you done any professional recording, performed live or started building your fanbase?
Please include any notable achievements, for example, if you have released any of your music, built a social media following, received any press or had your music played on the radio.
What do you hope to achieve as an artist in the next two years, and how are you currently planning to achieve this? (approx. 200 words)
Please tell us where you hope to be, in as much detail as you can at this stage, but also be realistic.
We need to know about your ambitions for writing, recording, releasing and performing your music with as much detail as possible within the word count about how you plan to do this within the next 2 years.
This can include things like recording an EP or album, planning live performances or tours to support a release, marketing and press plans, plus other opportunities and funding you may want to apply for.
What subjects would you most benefit from advice on? (approx. 200 words)
Please give an overview of what kind of areas of the music industry you would benefit from learning about and/or if general support would also be beneficial.
Please tell us in as much detail as you can how you think your career would benefit from receiving guidance in your chosen area/s of support, be specific.
How would you take advantage of funded recording support and how can we help you achieve this? (approx. 200 words)
Please tell us your plans for releasing and distributing your music and how this recording support will directly help to achieve your overall plans.
We want to know where and how you plan to record and how it will be released.
If you have ideas about how you would like to work in terms of production, or who you’d like to work with, please let us know here. If you would like help connecting with potential producers, you can help us by saying what you would be looking for as an artist.
If this is a live session recording you may want to think about how this will feed into your release/marketing/audience growth plans.
What kind of performance opportunity would you most benefit from? (approx. 200 words)
Please give an overview of the breadth of your previous experience performing live - this can include venues, festivals, support slots, release launches etc.
It is important for our reviewers to appreciate the range and level of experience you have had performing live, what opportunities you have already had, and who you have worked with.
This can be locally, regionally, or nationally.
With your experience in mind, what kind of performance opportunity do you think would be the ideal next step for you?
How to answer the questions in a video or audio format
You can submit the additional information we need for Launchpad in video or audio format if you would prefer. It is important that we get the right information, as clearly and concisely as possible, so it’s easy for our reviewers to easily understand who you are and where you’re at as an artist.
Your video should be no more than 3 minutes long - please use the following guide:
Brief Artist / Band Bio & Background (approx. 20-30 seconds)
This is where you can give us an insight into who you are and what you do as an artist / band
We’d like to hear about what stage you are at as a music creator. How much music have you made, have you done any professional recording, performed live or started building your fanbase?
Please include any notable achievements, for example, if you have released any of your music, built a social media following, received any press or had your music played on the radio.
What do you hope to achieve as an artist in the next two years, and how are you currently planning to achieve this? (approx. 30-40 seconds)
Please tell us where you hope to be, in as much detail as you can at this stage, but also be realistic.
We need to know about your ambitions for writing, recording, releasing and performing your music with as much detail as possible within the time about how you plan to do this within the next 2 years.
This can include things like recording an EP or album, planning live performances or tours to support a release, marketing and press plans, plus other opportunities and funding you may want to apply for.
What subjects would you most benefit from advice on? (approx. 30seconds)
Please give an overview of what kind of areas of the music industry you would benefit from learning about and/or if general support would also be beneficial.
Please tell us in as much detail as you can how you think your career would benefit from receiving guidance in your chosen area/s of support, be specific.
How would you take advantage of funded recording support and how can we help you achieve this? (approx. 30 seconds)
Please tell us your plans for releasing and distributing your music and how this recording support will directly help to achieve your overall plans.
We want to know where and how you plan to record and how it will be released.
If you have ideas about how you would like to work with in terms of production, or who you’d like to work with, please let us know here. If you would like help connecting with potential producers, you can help us by saying what you would be looking for as an artist.
If this is a live session recording you may want to think about how this will feed into your release/marketing/audience growth plans.
What kind of performance opportunity would you most benefit from? (approx. 30 seconds)
Please give an overview of the breadth of your previous experience performing live - this can include venues, festivals, support slots, release launches etc.
It is important for our reviewers to appreciate the range and level of experience you have had performing live, what opportunities you have already had, and who you have worked with.
This can be locally, regionally, or nationally