The Rising Star (Artist) Award is sponsored by Dr. Martens
The first pair of Dr. Martens boots rolled off the production line on the 1st April 1960. With its trademark yellow stitch, grooved sole and heel-loop, it was a boot for workers, initially worn by postmen and policemen; comfortable, durable and lightweight in comparison to its competitors at the time.
Throughout Dr. Martens history, the brand has been adopted and subverted by diverse individuals, musicians, youth cultures and tribes. These are the people who stand out from the crowd and their journey of self-expression has always been accompanied by a pair of DM’s.
For a rising musical group or solo artist that is making waves in the music industry.
WINNER
EVA
AudioActive/Youth Music NextGen Fund, South East
A musician and visual artist from Brighton, EVA began producing at the age of 15. In 2022, she released her debut single paired with a video she shot at her local boxing gym. Since receiving funding from Youth Music and AudioActive, EVA has released a total of 4 singles, each with a video directed and produced by herself.
In less than a year of releasing music, she was chosen as a finalist for Glastonbury Festival's 2023 Emerging Talent Competition, where she secured 3 performance slots. She has also made several festival appearances and been championed by some of the nation's biggest DJs such as Fatboy Slim and DJ Target.
Her most recent single 'My One', was praised by CLASH magazine for turning the Jersey Club genre, a bold and brash sound, into something ethereal. Indeed, EVA's sonic style has been developing into a bouquet of bounce that pairs angelic vocals with playful, punchy rhythms.
ALT BLK ERA
Inspire Youth Arts/Youth Music NextGen Fund, East Midlands
ALT BLK ERA won Nottingham’s Future Sound of Nottingham event at Rock City in 2022, resulting in a main-stage slot at Splendour in front of thousands. Their live shows are spectacular but they have heart. They collaborated with Able Orchestra artist Jess Fisher to release a tune on International Women's Day 2023. They have featured in Left Lion Mag and are soon to have an hour's slot on Radio Nottingham. They have performed at two BBC Introducing events and have been invited to play in Switzerland.
Michael Diamond
Youth Music NextGen Fund, South East
As a DJ and live performer, Michael Diamond earned a residency at Oxford's (and one of the UK's) most time-hallowed nights 'Simple', playing monthly alongside the likes of DJ Stingray, Ben UFO, Batu, Call Super etc. He has also been invited to play on Rinse FM twice and has played on HÖR Berlin, Refuge Worldwide, Ransom Note, Balamii and more. He was also named one of Gilles Peterson's / Worldwide FM's 'future bubblers'.
Michael has released 4 vinyl records to date, the most recent being his debut concept album 'Third Culture' which explored themes of his heritage through music, literature and visual art. The album received widespread press coverage (Mixmag, Vinyl Factory, Future Music, MusicTech, Bandcamp Daily, Stamp The Wax, Electronic Sound, MusicRadar etc). It made end-of-year 'best-of' lists at DJ Mag, Phonica, Mr Bongo, Juno Daily, as well as being widely played on radio (BBC Radio 1, Radio 3 and 6Music, NTS, Rinse, WWFM etc) and supported by record stores and DJs worldwide (Clone, Hard Wax, Rough Trade, Rubadub, Ben UFO, HAAi, Max Cooper, Laurent Garnier etc).
TU3SDAY
Harbourside Artist Management, South West
TU3SDAY is a Black, genderqueer, and Disabled electronic music artist, producer, and DJ. Their debut EP, "LOVE + RAGE," co-produced with Mono Joe under Harbourside Artists Management's Disability Empowerment Programme (DEP), merges House, Garage, Drum and Bass, and Gospel influences. This EP, independently distributed by Virgin Label and Artist Services, received radio play on BBC 6 Music, BBC 1XTRA, and SWU.fm.
Recognised in Jamz Supernova's 'Class of Supernova: ones to watch for 2023', they've graced stages at Birmingham Pride and debuted internationally at Sins Limites Festival in Oviedo, Spain. Now, TU3SDAY is pursuing a degree in Electronic Music Production at BIMM, supported by a Spotify scholarship, to align their technical skills with their passion