Liverpool International Music Festival is proud to unveil the details of the 20 finalists of the 2016 LIMF Academy programme. Providing an unprecedented platform for the most talented young unsigned artists and bands from Merseyside, each artist will have the opportunity to perform at Europe's largest free music event, LIMF Summer Jam this July. Not only this, the three 'most ready' finalists who include Eleanor Nelly, L U M E N and SUEDEBROWN, have been hand picked for a place on the award winning LIMF Academy Elite Talent Development Programme. The programme includes career investment, mentoring, regional and national performance opportunities and numerous other benefits including professionally produced biography, press shots and music development. LIMF Summer Jam takes place from 22nd - 24th July at Sefton Park. 

The trio of artists picked for the programme are a testament to the young, fresh talent from Merseyside ready to break through. At 16 years old, Eleanor Nelly has already played numerous venues and released her first EP 'Insane and Loved'. Electronic artist L U M E N has already experienced air time on BBC Radio 1 with his debut single 'What Will Life Make Of You' and SUEDEBROWN has delivered official remixes for the likes of Steve Aoki, Iggy Azalea and Sneakbo and has since delivered his own single 'Nightcall'.

On the three most ready artists, BBC Radio Merseyside's Dave Monks comments "They all possess something that made them stand out, they are distinctive. We were aware of some of Eleanor’s early recordings through BBC Introducing and I think her recent performance at the Magnet confirmed she had something that made everyone keen to have her involved this year. As for L U M E N, again we started supporting the earliest of tracks Liam had produced in his bedroom and after seeing this in a live setting, we noticed how much progress he had made in only a few months. We’re looking forward to hearing one of his tracks produced with Steve Levine. SUEDEBROWN is an artist that has jumped straight out following the release of his track ‘Nightcall’ which I played on the radio. I think this could be an exciting artist that could also collaborate with some of the other Academy artists further down the line".

For the three most ready artists, the LIMF Academy will offer:

Financial investment into their career

A live session with Steve Levine for BBC Introducing

Creation of professional press assets - including press shots and biography

Monthly masterclass sessions with industry leaders on topics such as marketing, promotion, performance, distribution, media training, funding opportunities and much more

Year round mentoring by an industry professional

Showcase opportunities to key press and industry in both Liverpool and London plus much more

For the other artists and bands selected for the Academy, as well as a spot on the LIMF Academy stage at LIMF Summer Jam, they will also receive workshops in songwriting, vocal training and music production. Additionally they will attend the LIMF Masterclasses, which includes sessions led by music industry professionals focused on being heard, securing gigs, funding and doing it independently. Organisations involved include PRS For Music Foundation, Ditto Music, Musician's Union, as well representatives from labels, publishing companies and media outlets.

LIMF Curator Yaw Owusu has been developing and building the LIMF Academy since 2013 was impressed by the high standard of applications this year, commenting, "We have chosen a great group of talented and exciting young music creators and we are looking forward to showcasing and developing them over the course of the programme. I believe our selections once again prove how diverse and inherently excellent the emerging music talent is in the city of Liverpool! With all the existing and additional activity that makes up the LIMF Academy programme, we will strive to continue to add value to all of these bands and artists."

In such a short time the LIMF Academy has received high praise from all corners of the industry, with partners including BBC Introducing, PRS For Music Foundation, UK Music, Musician’s Union, Bido Lito! Magazine and Help Musician’s as well as being awarded the Best Festival For Emerging Talent at the UK Festival Awards in 2015.

Joe Frankland of PRS for Music says, "We’ve seen an amazing number of artists based in Merseyside breaking through in recent years – it’s clearly one of the most exciting scenes in the UK so I think it’s crucial the likes of LIMF Academy are helping the next generation to break through. The Academy's knack for unearthing young, fresh talent is great but more importantly, that talent comes out of this completely clued up and ready to go."

Benefits to previous artists from the scheme are in their abundance. XamVolo who was one of the 2014 ‘most ready’ artists, has gone on to sign a production and management deal and has subsequently received major co-signs by BBC Radio 1, 6 Music, BBC 1Xtra, Radio X, Getintothis, Bido Lito! Magazine, The Skinny and Jazz FM.

On his experience, XamVolo says, "Being a part of the LIMF Academy helped me to lay solid foundations down for my career, as well as exposing me to the correct approach to different elements of the industry. Without that infrastructure and guidance, I wouldn't have as much clarity of vision as I have currently."

The full list of winners, performing at LIMF Summer Jam 2016 are:

Eleanor Nelly - Most Ready - https://soundcloud.com/eleanornelly

L U M E N - Most Ready - https://soundcloud.com/lumensound

SUEDEBROWN - Most Ready - https://soundcloud.com/SUEDEBROWN

The Basement Effect, AZTEX, SPARES, Astles, D A R Y L D A V I D, Alex Hulme, LUNA, Paige Leslie, Native Kings, I SEE RIVERS, Clare Sophia, Shrinking Minds, Scarlet, HICARI, Katie Mac, SUB BLUE, Halem