Investing in Artists, Strengthening Bristol’s Musical Future

Bristol Beacon’s Resident Artists programme is designed to give exceptional local musicians the time, space and resources to reach the next stage of their careers.

By investing directly in artists, we help build sustainable creative futures, strengthen the regional music ecology, and enable bold new work to be made, performed and shared with audiences.

Holysseus Fly

For Bristol-based alt-pop artist Holysseus Fly, music has always been about transformation – personal, creative and communal. Blending soulful vocals with electronic textures, she creates emotionally direct songs that invite audiences into her journey while carving out a distinctive artistic identity.

Before joining the Resident Artists programme, Fly had already built significant momentum. Her debut EP ‘Birthpool’ explored themes of recovery, resilience and self-reclamation following treatment for breast cancer in 2021, establishing her as a compelling new voice. A string of major opportunities followed, including touring with Nick Mulvey, developing her live show at Snape Maltings, and performing at Glastonbury and Forwards Festival.

Yet like many mid-career artists, Fly was at a pivotal moment: visible, ambitious and creatively ready to expand – but needing dedicated time and structured support to fully realise that next leap.

Through the Bristol Beacon residency, she gained consistent access to studio space, rehearsal facilities and a tailored professional development plan shaped around her goals. This infrastructure allowed her to experiment more freely with songwriting, production and performance, while working closely with industry professionals and the Beacon’s artistic and production teams.

Regular time in the Cellars studios became central to her process, providing something often out of reach for independent musicians: continuity. Instead of creating work between competing demands, Fly could develop ideas in depth, refine her sound, and test new material in a supportive environment.

The residency didn’t just fund activity – it enabled artistic risk, reflection and growth. By investing in Holysseus Fly as a whole artist, the programme supported both her creative evolution and her confidence to step into a larger stage of her career.

At one point I didn’t even know if I’d still be here. To now be creating and sharing new work feels incredibly meaningful — it’s an honour to grow through this opportunity.”

– Holysseus Fly

Accessing the studio weekly has given me the time and space to truly develop my writing and production. I’m at a pivotal stage, and this support has helped me move forward.”

– Holysseus Fly, Resident Artist

As Holysseus Fly moves forward with plans for her debut album and an increasingly expansive live show, the impact of the residency continues to shape her path. With stronger infrastructure, clearer strategy and new creative partnerships in place, she is positioned to reach wider audiences while remaining rooted in Bristol.

The Resident Artists programme ensures that artists like Fly can build sustainable careers locally, contributing to the city’s reputation as a place where innovative music is not only created – but nurtured long-term.

Building sustainable creative futures

The Resident Artists programme delivers meaningful outcomes for artists and the wider music ecosystem:

• Provides paid time and financial backing so artists can prioritise creation and experimentation
• Offers access to high-quality studios and performance spaces rarely available to independent musicians
• Connects artists with professional expertise across production, marketing and career development
• Supports the creation and presentation of new music across genres
• Enables artists to expand audiences locally, nationally and internationally
• Builds sustainable career pathways that allow talent to remain based in Bristol
• Strengthens the city’s live music pipeline by supporting artists at a critical breakthrough stage
• Creates an ongoing alumni network, ensuring long-term impact beyond the residency year

Supported by

Our Resident Artist programme is possible thanks to the support and funding from PRS Foundation’s Talent Development Network.