Emerging Talent is Lichfield Arts’ year-round programme supporting early-career artists and young people to develop their creative practice, gain professional experience, and build pathways into the cultural sector.

Through performance opportunities, mentoring, skills development and tailored support, the programme helps emerging artists build confidence, visibility and real-world experience, while strengthening the local creative ecosystem. 

The programme works with artists at different stages of their journey, creating welcoming and supportive opportunities to develop skills, connect with peers, and take their next steps within the creative industries.

We’re bringing a full on rock gig to Burntwood…Saturday 30th May, Burntwood Memorial Institute.

Experience a lineup of rising local talent bringing fresh sounds and serious energy to the stage. Catch up with friends, enjoy the atmosphere and experience what’s next in music — up close. There’ll be the kind of atmosphere you can’t stream — real energy and real talent. Bring friends, grab a drink, and be part of supporting the future of live music. Every ticket helps keep grassroots music alive.

Loft are an alt-rock band from Tamworth inspired by bands like Wunderhorse and Queens of the Stone Age. They bring raw energy in their original music and carefully curated covers.

The Hooch are an upcoming Burntwood rock and Britpop band bringing the energy of 90s classics to live audiences. Their set features songs from iconic bands such as Oasis alongside favourites from Stereophonics and Status Quo. Formed in November 2024 by four sixth-form friends in Year 12 who share a passion for rock and indie music, the band began with school assembly performances before moving on to pub gigs and charity events, and are now stepping onto bigger stages.

Under 25s open mic – are you a solo/duo under 25 Burntwood singer/musician? Get your slot on stage at this special event. Contact: [email protected] now with your name, age and a short sound clip, video or link. Under 25s only. Under 18s should get a parent/guardian to apply on their behalf.

Who it’s for

Emerging Talent is for:

• young people and early-career creatives developing their skills
• local artists looking for supported opportunities to share work
• emerging musicians, filmmakers and multidisciplinary creatives
• anyone seeking a positive next step in their creative journey

What the programme offers

Emerging Talent provides a mix of opportunities, which may include:

• Performance opportunities at festivals, live events and local venues
• Mentoring and professional support to build confidence and direction
• Skills development, including creative and behind-the-scenes experience
• Paid opportunities where appropriate, supporting progression and sustainability
• Connections and pathways into wider creative opportunities and networks

“I am forever grateful for everything you and the Lichfield Arts Team have done for me.” Emerging Talent participant

Why it matters

We believe emerging artists deserve more than a one-off stage slot. Emerging Talent is designed to provide meaningful development, helping creatives move from early opportunities to real progression — whether that’s building professional confidence, developing a body of work, or taking their next steps into the creative industries.

Emerging Talent 2025

• 28 artists supported
• 300+ young people engaged

Exodus: Lichfield Arts are supporting Lichfield born, highly talented young filmmaker, Alfie Johnson. We are already providing financial support, casting, locations and mentoring but he needs to raise more funds to cover the costs of his next film. Exodus is his most ambitious film yet, and its success will directly impact his university final results. The film is set to feature ambitious action, practical effects, and a professional finish, with plans for submission to national and international festivals!

Thursday June 4th 2026 – Introducing Night: in partnership with South Staffs College at Lichfield Garrick. Ticket to be released closer to the time.

Emerging Talent Takeover – Friday 7th November 2025, Lichfield Guildhall

Emerging Talent Takeover took over Lichfield Guildhall on Friday 7th November 2025, celebrating young local creativity with an exciting mix of live music and film. The night featured Hamish Cooper, a genre-hopping multi-instrumentalist blending Classical, Folk, Jazz and world influences, The Rehearsal Room, bringing warm, heartfelt songs full of honest energy, Diverted Traffic, delivering rock and indie favourites with plenty of drive, and Shook, a powerhouse rock trio aged just 15, proving emerging talent can be loud, tight and unforgettable.

The event also showcased a film by Thomas Purkis, The Small City with the Loud Heart, documenting the passion and buzz of Fuse Festival—watch it here:

Emerging Talent Pop-Up – Saturday 8th November 2025

Lichfield Arts transformed The Old Friary Shoes Shop in Three Spires Shopping Centre into a hub for emerging artists and creatives, featuring live unplugged music performances, information and giveaways.

The event included a guitar amnesty invited people to bring any unwanted guitars and instruments along so that we can make good use of it giving it a new life passing it on or (if unserviceable) repurposing it. 

The Spectacular Spiderman – Sunday 9th November 2025

Alfie Johnson, 20, is a filmmaking student born in Lichfield and has been making films since he was 8. He runs Alfonzo’s Pictures, a YouTube channel showcasing his passion for storytelling, bringing creative and cinematic visions to life through compelling narratives and dynamic filmmaking.

We’re especially proud to have backed Alfie and The Spectacular Spider-Man through funding, mentoring and practical support — his achievement is an outstanding example of the creativity and ambition we are passionate about celebrating and investing in. In partnership with The Hub at St Mary’s, Lichfield Arts ran a special screening of the film, which included a red carpet welcome for the attendees.

Creative Careers Day – Tuesday 14th October 2025

As part of our FLO project, Future Leaders In Outdoor Arts, support by Arts Council England and in partnership with Lichfield Festival and Lichfield Garrick, we delivered a Creative Careers Day on Tuesday 14 October.

The Creative Careers Day brought together 70 Year 10 students from across the district to explore opportunities within the creative industries. The event offered practical insight into creative careers, progression routes, and the skills needed to succeed.

Students took part in live performances, workshops, and mentoring, engaging directly with professional artists and producers working across performance, production, publishing, film, and dance. Hands-on sessions explored project development and pitching, alongside skills-based workshops focused on confidence, communication, and employability, with opportunities for 1:1 mentoring and apprenticeship advice.

Alongside the in-person event, and in partnership with Lichfield Festival, Lichfield Arts also delivered a Creative Careers Webinar, widening access to industry insight through contributions from local creative professionals.

Together, this activity strengthened links between education and the creative sector, widening access to information, networks, and ambition, and reinforcing Lichfield Arts’ role as a connector supporting the next generation of creative talent.

Fuse Emerging Talent Takeover – Sunday 13th July 2025

Sunday afternoon at Fuse Festival on the Momentum Stage was dedicated to Lichfield Arts Emerging Talent, highlighting a vibrant selection of young and upcoming acts.

The programme featured a mix of solo performers and bands, showcasing a wide range of styles from acoustic songwriting to indie, pop, and rock. Many of the artists were at the early stages of their musical journeys, bringing fresh energy, enthusiasm, and originality to the stage.

Across the afternoon, audiences were treated to confident performances, strong musicianship, and a clear passion for live music. The showcase reflected the strength and diversity of emerging talent in the region and underlined the importance of platforms that support and nurture young artists.

Other bands associated with Lichfield Arts Emerging Talent that played at Fuse were: L’Exterieur (previous winners of The Friary School Battle of the Bands), Holly Rolfe, Nausy (who stood in last minute at both Fuse and our April Emerging talent event) and Tyler Kent (who responded to a recent Emerging Talent call out).

4 young people had a live sound engineering experience at Fuse, and 7 young people took part in a backstage visit to the festival on the Thursday night before the festival opened on the Friday as part of our FLO project supported by Arts Council England.

One band had a rehearsal in a professional rehearsal studio with mentoring (sound and performance) from our Emerging Talent team.

Ripple Music Group Festival – Sunday 18th May, Lichfield Garrick

Two Emerging Talent recommended artists, Jasmine Dawn Sky and Nandini Nayar, performed at Ripple Music Festival at Lichfield Garrick.

Introducing Night in partnership with South Staffs College – Friday 9th May, Lichfield Garrick

The line up featured Level 3, Year 1 students: Pit Band, Angel, Shiva, Nicole Murrell, The Collectivist’s and Tarmac.

April workshops

Lichfield Arts Emerging Talent Team, which includes industry professionals, ran two workshops for young people.

These were geared to the specialisms of those attending and covered topics such as online promotion, liaison with promoters, performance, sound tech/industry/production, film industry advice and information about our Future Leaders in Outdoor Arts project.