Tidal Shift

Tidal Shift is a series of live music events designed to support emerging artists who have outgrown open mic stages but are not yet ready for headline gigs. The project offers performance opportunities, industry-relevant training, and professional content creation to help young artists grow creatively and professionally.

Participants will be identified through youth centres, local schools and music organisations and will attend masterclasses in performance, branding, marketing, and live production. They will perform at a series of public events in accessible venues, supported by experienced professionals including Mike Ryan, Imogen Connett, and Cia Tomasso.

Young people have helped shape the project, highlighting the need for early-stage support, inclusive venues, and safe spaces to learn. This will help them to gain improved industry understanding, increased confidence, and access to wider music networks.

We are on the lookout for Artists and Bands aged 16 to 20 years old who are looking for help in the early stages of their music careers. We’re going to give successful Artists a 6 week training plan (*5 weeks for Cohort 1 & 3) to help with Songwriting, Marketing & Branding and Sound & Tech in a venue. Finishing off with an event where they get to put everything into practice. 

Artist’s must be available all dates in each cohort and for the final gig.

The Workshops

Songwriting Workshop

• Understand the core elements of songwriting: lyrics, melody, structure, and emotion
• Learn techniques for developing song ideas into full compositions
• Practice writing and co-writing in a supportive, creative environment
• Gain tools for editing, refining, and performing original songs

Marketing & Branding Workshop 

• Learn the basics of social media.
• Learn best practices on how to promote your band/gig’s.
• Learn how to read analytics and put them into action to grow you social media profiles. 
• Learn the benefits of Facebook, Instagram and TikTok and tools to help you post on these platforms

Sound & Tech Masterclass

• Learn how to communicate with a professional sound engineer in a gig setting
• Learn about the basics of live sound: gain, EQ, stage volume, how microphones work and how to use them effectively, common troubleshooting issues (feedback, cable noise, sound bleed) and how to curate your perfect monitor mix with the engineer
• Learn about how to make the most of your soundcheck by selecting the right songs to test
• Take home your notes and test your knowledge in a performance showcase run like a professional gig!