Royal Albert Hall’s songwriter showcase goes national

25 March 2024 - Press release

The Royal Albert Hall’s ‘Future Makers’ programme, for musicians aged 14 to 19 who write their own music, is going national for the first time.

The project, which has been running across London since 2022, provides talented young musicians with a route into the industry, giving them the chance to play the Hall’s famous stage, host a showcase concert, and record in a studio.

Seventeen-year-old Amity Miller, the Hall’s current Future Maker artist, will launch his debut EP at the Hall this autumn. He said: “Future Makers is a really wonderful experience, whether or not you win. You get to show people what you are about – they will hear you and they will listen.”

Admissions for Future Makers 2024 open today, with live auditions for successful applicants in early July, and a concert before an audience of schoolchildren in the Royal Albert Hall’s world-famous auditorium in November, where all eight finalists will perform.

Amity said: “There’s something very personal and intimate about playing the Royal Albert Hall: it can feel like you are just sitting there playing to one person. For me, as soon as I start playing, my nerves disappear and it’s just me and the music, but I think at the Royal Albert Hall, everyone who plays gets that feeling.”

The event in November will be hosted by Royal Albert Hall associate artist and chart-topping saxophonist Jess Gillam, who said: “Future Makers is an incredible opportunity for young musicians who write their own material to get a foothold in the industry. It combines practical support and a welcoming environment with a chance for the young musicians to follow in their own musical heroes’s footsteps by performing on the legendary Royal Albert Hall stage. We need to hear new, exciting and diverse talent, and Future Makers is helping to develop the next generation of vital musical voices.”

All finalists work with a music producer to enhance their act ahead of the show, and receive professional photos and video of their performance. The winner is given a showcase concert in the Hall’s 300-capacity Elgar Room, a slot at an external festival, studio time with a top producer, and support on press and marketing.

Young artists who want to take part in this year’s Future Makers should submit a video recording of under six minutes via the portal at www.royalalberthall.com.