If you’re a musician, producer or musical innovator here’s how you could win £1,000 to kick start your career

Calling all musicians, producers and musical innovators!

Factory International has announced the return of its award-winning Factory Sounds programme for 2025, and it’s bigger and better than ever.

Designed to support local musicians, producers, and industry creatives, this year’s initiative will offer 15 talented applicants a game-changing package of financial support, studio access, and industry expertise.

Selected participants will each receive £1,000 to fuel new projects, along with access to state-of-the-art recording studios, peer-to-peer networking, and exclusive masterclasses on everything from artist management to promotion and fundraising.

Applications are now open, with the deadline set for midday on January 20th, 2025.

Factory Sounds 2025

Initially created to help musicians navigate the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, Factory Sounds has grown into a powerhouse for emerging talent.

Each year, it champions underrepresented voices across genres and roles—including artists, DJs, bands, collectives, and label representatives—while nurturing Greater Manchester’s grassroots music community. In fact, the programme recently scooped the Promotion of Talent & Leadership Award at the 2023 Manchester Culture Awards.

Thanks to a new partnership with adidas Originals, Factory Sounds has expanded its offering. This year’s 15 participants will benefit from additional mentorship, bespoke workshop opportunities, and unique development spaces to bring their musical visions to life.

Who has benefitted from Factory Sounds?

Factory Sounds alumni are making waves across the music scene. The 2024 cohort included Rumbi Tauro, a soulful R&B artist who released her live EP with Factory Sounds’ support, and the genre-blending reggae poet J. Chambers, along with a dynamic mix of DJs, bands, and producers. Past participants such as All Hands on Deck, Loose Articles, and Mali Hayes have also used the programme as a launchpad to grow their careers and influence.

Artist Markus Hetheier, co-creator of queer electronic music event FLUFF, praised the programme for helping him grow his project, saying, “It felt amazing to take a risk with the funding and mentorship. The advice we received elevated FLUFF from a small idea into a bigger, more professional event.”

Factory International Fellowship

Factory Sounds isn’t the only exciting opportunity on offer. Applications are also open for the Factory International Fellowship, which allows six Northern artists to shadow the creation of major projects at Aviva Studios, Factory International’s cutting-edge cultural space. In addition, the Spring 2025 Artist Takeover invites South Asian artist groups to take control of the massive Warehouse space at Aviva Studios, with up to £10,000 in financial support to bring bold ideas to life.

Factory International is the creative force behind the Manchester International Festival (MIF) and Aviva Studios, a stunning new venue designed by world-renowned architects OMA.

It’s a hub for artistic innovation, offering a platform for local talent to create groundbreaking work while contributing to Manchester’s reputation as a global cultural destination. For more information on Factory Sounds and other artist development opportunities, visit Factory International’s website by clicking here.

Applications close at midday on January 20th, 2025—don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting journey!