Next deadline for applications is 11th September 2019


PRS Foundation, the UK’s leading charitable funder of new music and talent development, together with PPL, Creative Scotland, Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Government, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Invest NI, Spotify and Ben Sherman reveal the next 17 artists who will receive support from the pioneering Momentum Music Fund.  The artists, who have been selected by a network of industry experts, are:

Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard - Marketing single releases and touring costs
Esya - Recording and promotion for an EP
Girl Ray - Touring
Honeyblood - Recording an EP
I SEE RIVERS – Recording and promotion of debut album
Man & The Echo - Marketing and promotion of second album
Maxsta – Visuals for live shows and videos
Pat Dam Smyth - Marketing of tour
Penelope Isles - Touring
Penya - Recording and marketing of second album.
Rachael Dadd - Touring
RYAN VAIL - Recording and release of album
Squid - Touring
Tawiah - Touring and live show installation and design.
The Ninth Wave - Touring
The Orielles - Recording of second album.
W.H. Lung - Recording of second album.

Joe Frankland, CEO of PRS Foundation said, “Huge congratulations to all the artists from across the UK selected in this latest round.  We’ve seen from our evaluation report the direct impact of Momentum support on artists careers, whether it’s average earnings increasing, performing to bigger audiences, social and streaming stats increasing or being nominated for awards such as the Mercury Music Prize. I’m looking forward to following the progress of this latest round and how this support impacts their individual careers.”

Sarah Mitchell, Director of Member Services at PPL commented: “At PPL, we are excited to see the array of UK talent being funded in this latest round of the Momentum Music Fund. Our primary role is to collect and distribute money on behalf of thousands of performers and record companies, from session musicians and orchestral players to self-releasing artists and independent record labels. Supporting PRS Foundation is a natural extension of this ethos and we are proud to work with the charity in helping to build music careers and support the talent of the future.”

Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland said, “For the second year in succession, Creative Scotland has partnered with the Momentum Music Fund to boost some of Scotland’s best young bands up to the next level. Honeyblood and The Ninth Wave are as intense and exciting on record as they are on stage. Both are at a key point in their careers, ready to grab the attention of the global music industry and reach the ears of new audiences everywhere. I’m delighted that this partnership continues to throw a spotlight on our home-based talent.”

Ciaran Scullion, Head of Music at Arts Council of Northern Ireland said, “Ryan Vail and Pat Dam Smyth are two exceptionally talented artists who we are proud to support through Momentum funding alongside our partners, Invest Northern Ireland and PRS Foundation.  This funding is vital in enabling artists to take that all-important next step in their musical careers and we look forward to seeing them both develop as a result. Congratulations to all.”

Antwn Owen-Hicks Portfolio Manager at Arts Council of Wales said, “We’re delighted to be supporting two exciting bands from Wales, Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard and I See Rivers, through Momentum funding at this pivotal stage in their careers. The funding will enable both bands to take the next step in their creative development and raise their profiles in the UK. We’re pleased to continue our partnership with PRS Foundation, providing important opportunities for Welsh musicians and we’re looking forward to seeing their development over the coming year.”

Bryan Johnson, Lead, Artist & Industry Partnerships at Spotify said, “This new round of Momentum funding features seventeen artists who will benefit from vital financial support to help progress them to the next level of their careers. We look forward to working with all artists and their teams, and providing them with the tools and opportunities to expand their fanbase and showcase their music to our global audience of 232 million users.”

Managed by PRS Foundation, the Momentum Music fund awards grants of £5,000-£15,000 using funds from PRS Foundation, PPL, Creative Scotland, Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Government, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Invest NI. Spotify, the official digital partner on the fund, contributes additional funding and a reward package containing exciting promotional opportunities and a close working relationship between Momentum artists and the Spotify team. Event partner Ben Sherman offers live opportunities, additional marketing, promotional and bespoke branding support.

The Momentum Music 5 year impact report, which was launched at the Great Escape in May this year, showed that since 2013 the fund has supported over 200 artists, over 90 new albums and more than 100 UK tours totaling over 650 UK live dates. The 2016 impact report analysing the first three years of the fund revealed that Momentum has generated £13million for the UK music industry. PRS Foundation and Arts Council England initiated The Momentum Music Fund in 2013.   Arts Council England originally established the need for this specific fund and supported the programme from 2013-18.

For a full rundown of all the artists supported so far see. The next deadline for applications to the Momentum Music Fund is 11th September 2019 via the PRS Foundation website. We are particularly interested in receiving more applications from outside of London.


Listen to the latest Momentum supported artists on the Spotify Momentum playlist here.