Pirate’s residency programme has returned for 2024 to create paid gig opportunities for grassroots artists

06 March 2024, 15:45 | Written by Tyler Damara Kelly

(News)

Pirate has announced the second iteration of their Residency scheme, a talent development programme open to bands, solo artists, and DJs in the UK, US, Germany, and Ireland.

The scheme sets out to create paid performance opportunities for emerging live acts and DJs at festivals such as Parklife, Truck, Tramlines, Y Not, Forbidden Forest, and El Dorado. Similarly, in the US, resident artists will take the stage at festivals such as Shabang, Cascade Equinox, and the Empire State Music & Arts Festival, as well as LA nightlife venues Catch One and El Cid. The Residency scheme also offers the chance for residents to fill guest DJ slots and to have their tracks played on partner radio stations, namely London's Voices and LA's dublab.

With Residency's launch last year, we saw over 30 of our artists play at festivals, some for the first time. Our aim is to keep widening these paths for new talent to reach new audiences," says Rebecca Mason-Evans, lead of residency at Pirate.

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As well as filling in a short form, live acts and producers must submit original music, and DJs must submit a mix. This year, the programme is set to expand its impact, aiming to offer more comprehensive career support for artists by offering mentorship from industry veterans, studio access, and promotion through Pirate's extended network of partners, as well as gig and radio opportunities.

Applications to Pirate’s Residency scheme opened on 29 February and will close on 17 March. For more information, visit pirate.com.