Northern Line
Applications are now closed for Northern Line, Jazz North’s live touring support programme for northern artists
The artist opportunity offers bursaries of up to £3000, a showcase at manchester jazz festival and dedicated 1:1 support.
Northern Line artists are selected through an open application process, shortlisted by an advisory panel of music industry experts. For this 11th round, the panel includes Rob Farhat (Contemporary Music Programmer, Kings Place), Jez Matthews (The Lescar, Sheffield), Hannabiell Sanders (previous Northern Line artist), and other jazz specialists from major UK venues and national radio.
Successful applicants will perform at the Northern Line Showcase at manchester jazz festival (mjf) on Sunday 18th May 2025 in front of a public audience and invited music industry guests.
mjf is the North’s most celebrated jazz festival, with a reputation for fostering rising jazz talent through their own bespoke development schemes and innovative events programme.
This project is generously supported by PRSF
About Northern Line
Northern Line is Jazz North’s answer to live touring support for Northern artists. The programme champions the most pioneering, bold and innovative artists across the scene. It’s a roster of the best new talent, recognised by promoters, festivals, funders and management. The 18-month programme supports northern artists to reach the next stage of their live performance career and meet their ambitions through targeted 1:1 support and network development.
5 bands from jazz and jazz-related genres are selected each year through an open application and rigorous selection process using a panel of independent industry experts from across the UK.
Visit artist pages for biographies and links.
The new Round 10 roster (2024-2025) are available for performances between September 2024-September 2025.
The Round 9 roster (2022-2023) are available for performance enquiries for dates up to 1st September 2024.
For all enquiries, please email heather@jazznorth.org. You may also contact artists directly.
Listen
Take a listen to a short sample of music from our brilliant Northern Line artists. Ceitidh Mac, Dirty Freud, Bryony Jarman-Pinto, Vipertime and Tom Harris can all be found on Bandcamp for those who wish to support their work and delve deeper. We’re big advocates of buying music and tickets so get following your favourite bands on socials and sign up to their newsletters!
Northern Line has a rigorous selection process. We invite an advisory panel from across the north and beyond, including festival bookers, agents, past artists, promoters and media. Our Round 10 panel was made up of Nishla Smith, Charlotte Bowen, Agnese Daverio, Paul Duhaney and Grace Pitkin.