NEXT LEVEL Showcase 2024

Ava Zarate, the London-born, Bristol-based artist began writing songs when she was 12, and hasn’t slowed down since. Like many emerging artists, she was able to develop her creativity and style during lockdown and began producing her own tracks. While her sound has explored many genres, it can be described as a fusion of alt-pop, folk, R&B and psychedelia.

Off the back of two recent single releases, she has an upcoming EP scheduled to drop. Her love of live performance across shows in Bristol and her native home of London have given her an appetite for sharing her talents on stage and connecting with the audience.

Laura Dia, Nigerian- Irish singer hailing from Bristol, began her music career performing covers on youtube and instagram, however in the summer of 2020 expanded her skills into production, releasing her own music independently.

With a sound that lies within the realms of contemporary R&B, Pop and Soul, she also draws inspiration from indie rock, hip hop, and her West- African heritage. With a uniquely polarised voice; delicate and sweet, yet managing to harness a powerful and soulful sound, she’s a multi-instrumentalist, performing with both piano and guitar, and combining that with her ability in lyricism, various singing styles and characteristic harmonies.

Bristol-based soulful singer Marns began her musical journey at 16, performing at iconic venues across the city. Not only have her magnetic performances extended to festivals like Bristol Harbour Festival and Latitude, but her melodious tunes have been broadcast on the likes of Ujima Radio, SWU.fm and BBC radio.

Rellz & Y.B Micz, the Bristol-based duo are fresh on the scene. Their partnership began free-styling and has grown from there, having already been performed in the city and working on music ahead of a planned summer release. 

Samuel Ikpe, aka Sambee, is a multi-talented artist based in Bristol. Hailing from Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, Sambee brings a fresh perspective to the music scene with his fusion of Afro-Alternative, R&B and Soul influences. Drawing inspiration from renowned artists such as Burna Boy,Mannywellz, Wizkid, and 2 Chainz, Sambee is all about good vibes, great fashion, poignant storytelling and infectious melodies that resonate with audiences.

A member of POPBOYS – a producer collective featuring some of the best talent within the African music scene. After the release of his first single GAOU in 2018, he dropped his debut album in 2020 and is currently set to release his new project, Big Head, very soon…

Having performed in theatre tours UK-wide since the age of four, Ssadcharlie’s love of music and performance was kindled from a very young age, and fueled by the eclectic music scene in their hometown of Bristol. This led them to writing and producing their own music, subsequently releasing it in their early teenage years.

With a love for experimental music, their own work encompasses and draws on raw emotion, which transcends into their performance on stage, drawing influences from hip hop, punk, and everything in between. Not only that, but their music explores issues surrounding homophobia, love and adolescence.

Their third album, Beautifully Uncomfortable, was released in 2022 and helped cement their upfront, experimental sound.