How RNCM is launching Manchester’s next music icons

The RNCM Session Orchestra: Original Artists Edition is back this June, and it’s bigger, bolder, and bursting with brilliance.

If you’ve ever wanted to say “I saw them before they blew up,” this is your moment.

Expect genre-spanning sounds and spine-tingling performances from some of the UK’s most exciting up-and-coming artists: all before they hit the big time.

Fresh off being named one of the top five places in the world to study music, RNCM is throwing down the gauntlet with a night that showcases the raw, untamed creativity of its Popular Music course: the same course that launched the likes of Porij, Larkins, and Lucy Deakin.

Catch them now, or hear about it later from everyone who did. This is where the future of music kicks off.

The RNCM Session Orchestra: Original Artists Edition

Hetta Falzon

Singer-songwriter Hetta Falzon, originally from Somerset and now based in Manchester, combines her jazz, pop, and classical roots to inspire a unique melodic world, driven by her desire to move people. Her intricate melodies, paired with raw emotional storytelling, reveal music that is as musically captivating as it is relatable.

For Hetta, music began as a family expectation. Growing up in Somerset, she was immersed in classical training from an early age—cello, trombone, singing, and piano were all part of her childhood. “I also grew up performing in musicals,” she said. “But I didn’t really want to do the acting and I didn’t really want to do the practicing. I just wanted to do the making noise thing—and that’s how I started writing songs.”

That spirit of rebellion, of turning structure into self-expression, has become central to her artistry. She describes her early music as “four-chord bangers,” but things changed when she moved to Manchester. “The people I met at uni were the first musicians my age I became friends with. They were all incredible humans and writers, so far ahead of me in maturity and sound. They really inspired me to step out of my comfort zone.”

Now 20, Hetta is about to see one of her life’s biggest dreams come true. “I have two big dreams: performing my music with an orchestra, and writing a musical,” she beams. “I did not think I’d be doing the first one at this age.”

It’s especially poignant because of her roots in orchestral music. She played in the National Children’s Orchestra as a kid, though at the time she didn’t fully appreciate it. “I was very much like, ‘I’m too cool for orchestra’, but now I’m obsessed with it. Classical music is such a big influence for me. It feels nostalgic and warm.”

That warmth is something she’s channelling into the arrangements for her Session Orchestra performance. “The priority for me is that it just feels really powerful emotionally,” she explains. “I’ve been working with my band and some arrangers, and I just want everything to feel moving.”

That emotional intensity is a cornerstone of Hetta’s work. She doesn’t shy away from honesty—in fact, she demands it. “I write music because it helps me understand the way I function,” she said. “And I hope it makes other people understand the way I function, and realise they’re not alone.”

Whether it’s the intimacy of a headline gig at Lock 91 or the thrill of opening for Joshua Bassett at the O2 Ritz, Hetta approaches every performance with heart. “The first show I ever did in Manchester was at Gulliver’s during Freshers’ Week. That will always be my favourite venue. It felt like such a big step.”

Playing the O2 Ritz was another milestone, but it didn’t feel intimidating. Quite the opposite. “The whole audience had never seen me before, but I felt like I was home. It felt like a hometown show and really extra special.”

You can listen to Hetta’s music on Spotify by clicking here

Hetta is also on Instagram here

Jack Critchlow

Originally from North Yorkshire, Jack Critchlow moved to Manchester at 18, armed with ambition and a love of songwriting. Four years on, he’s established himself as a compelling artist-producer with a distinctive musical identity. His style is a bold fusion of groovy pop and introspective singer-songwriter roots—two seemingly contrasting sounds that Jack effortlessly blends into one coherent, heartfelt experience.

“I’m releasing my debut EP this year which showcases the two sides to my artistry,” he explained. “My kind of upbeat pop side and my more stripped-back singer-songwriter side. And they coexist in the same world.”

It’s a world he’s carefully crafted on his own terms, writing and producing everything himself. “I have full control over everything I put out,” he sayid. And that dedication is paying off—he’s received support from BBC Introducing, landed airplay on BBC Radio 1’s Future Pop, and earned spots on Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlists.

But even as his music gains national attention, Jack remains grounded in the city that shaped him. “Manchester as a music scene has really influenced my drive and love for music,” he said. “The vibe of the Northern Quarter and the Manchester music scene is so integral to the city. It makes music such an exciting industry to be part of when you’re here.”

He’s not just talking theory, he’s lived it. From Night and Day Café to Deaf Institute, Band on the Wall, and Manchester Academy, Jack has worked his way through the city’s legendary gig circuit. “Manchester has been such a supportive city for me over the last few years. It’s allowed me to get my foot in venues and play some really great gigs.”

One of his proudest moments came earlier this year, when he supported The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess at a sold-out 800-capacity show at RNCM. “Playing with one of Manchester’s own heroes was a really great experience,” he said.

Now, with The RNCM Session Orchestra: Original Artists Edition, Jack is entering a new phase—one filled with strings, brass, and symphonic drama. “Having my music played by a full orchestra is going to be a crazy experience,” he said.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We’re working with some really great arrangers who are converting our songs into orchestral scores. It’s a real privilege.”

He’s excited, but also conscious of the emotional weight of the performance. Jack writes with purpose.

His lyrics touch on love, loss, relationships, and the challenges of youth. One standout track, “Lucy’s Diamonds Fell in the Sky,” tackles the impact of drugs on student culture. “I want people to be moved by what I do. I let the music move me when I play, and I’d love for it to do the same for people in the audience.”

You can listen to Jack’s music on Spotify by clicking here

Jack is also on Instagram here and TikTok here

“A city that feels like home”

For both Jack and Hetta, Manchester has provided not just opportunity, but belonging.

“It’s a city that’s so supportive of new artists and upcoming talent,” said Jack. “I don’t think it would’ve been the same anywhere else.”

Hetta agreed. “Manchester has such a deep-rooted musical heritage: from indie icons to cutting-edge new talent. And honestly, the people I’ve met here have influenced me the most.”

Their stories are emblematic of what makes the RNCM Session Orchestra: Original Artists Edition so powerful. It’s not just about polished performance: it’s about the raw, unfiltered passion of artists still finding their voices, yet already making their mark.

When asked what they hope the audience takes away from their performances, both artists speak with a sincerity that’s hard to ignore.

“I want people to be moved,” said Jack. “I hope it brings out emotion and that the lyrics stick with them.”

Hetta echoes that. “I don’t want people to take their own interpretation, I want them to come on the emotional rollercoaster with me.”

Tickets for RNCM Session Orchestra: Original Artists Edition

You can get tickets to see Jack and Hetta perform at RNCM Session Orchestra: Original Artists Edition on 14th of June 2025 at 7.00 pm.

You can get tickets by clicking here

Tickets Prices:
Full Price £18
Student/Under 26 £12