Perform at the New Music Stage .
Aesthetica joins forces with TALENTBANQ, Caffè Nero, and Beggars Group to present a bold new competition for live music. The New Music Stage is a vibrant launchpad for emerging artists, joining screen culture, performance and music. This showcase brings together 10 breakthrough acts – from indie and hiphop to alt-pop and folk. Set in the cinematic context of one of the UK’s leading film festivals, it’s an open invitation to hear what’s next in music.
New Music Stage
At Aesthetica, we celebrate music as a core narrative force that brings depth, emotion and meaning to every story. From film scores to live performance and experimentation, music shapes the way we experience and understand the world. This is a high-profile competition dedicated to new musical talent. Whether you're a composer, songwriter, producer or performer, this is your chance to connect with new audiences in a setting that values artistic exploration. Talks and panels from industry experts will also explore how sound and music are creating new ways to engage, inspire and connect.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking bold sounds that move people. Music, like film, is a storyteller – creating emotional landscapes, setting tone and offering unforgettable moments. Live music heightens this connection, inviting audiences to feel as much as hear the story. From hip hop and grime to soul, spoken word, indie, folk and alt-pop, we’re curating a programme that brings a range of genres to the stage. We're building an experience that unites sound and screen – where audiences don’t just watch or listen, but are immersed. This is about new voices, live performance and the next chapter in storytelling.
Why Submit?
Submit for the opportunity to share your music with industry professionals and perform at one of the UK’s leading festivals. All entries include a ticket to Aesthetica's Music Programme on Saturday 7 November: attend panels, network with industry and access an all-day music festival. All performances selected for the New Music Stage will be eligible for the Best Music Award, decided by a jury of industry experts. This award includes a £1,000 cash prize, mentorship from Beggars Group and TALENTBANQ and the chance for your music to be played across every UK Caffè Nero.
Meet the Jury .
Pablo Ettinger
Caffè Nero Co-Founder
Pablo has enjoyed a highly successful career and is best known as a founding partner of Caffè Nero. He dedicates much of his time to supporting start-ups as both an investor and mentor. He has also co-founded Talentbanq, and more recently founded MusicGurus.
James Matthews
Senior Director, Universal Music Group
James Matthews is Senior Director at Universal Music Group, the world’s leading music company, representing a vast roster of artists. UMG is home to Polydor, Island, Interscope Geffen A&M, Def Jam Recordings, Republic Records, Decca, Verve, and more.
Nicolas-Tyrell Scott
Award-Winning Music Journalist
Nicolas-Tyrell Scott is an award-winning music and cultural journalist with work printed/published in GQ, Pitchfork, Dazed, Apple Music, and more. As a speaker, he’s been featured on BBC, Channel 4, Wray and Nephew, The Grapevine TV, and spoken at Soho House.
Francesca Pidgeon
Aesthetica New Music Stage 2025 Winner
Francesca Pidgeon also known as ‘Dilettante’, is a multi-disciplinary musician based in the North of England. She won the inaugural edition of the Aesthetica New Music Stage in 2025 and will also be joining us for a musical performance at this year’s 2026 event.
Sally Bryant
Artist Manager, Futuresound
Sally is an A&R / Artist Manager at the Futuresound Group. For the past five years she has worked across their independent label Dance To The Radio. Based in Leeds Futuresound Group is one of the longest running independent live music promoters in the UK.
Arusa Qureshi
Author
Arusa is an award-winning writer, editor, programmer and speaker with a passion for music, diversity and accessibility within arts and culture. She has previously worked as the music programme manager curating the in house music programme at Edinburgh’s Summerhall
Rob Cannell
Head of Promotions, Beggars Group
Rob Cannell is the head of promotions at Beggars Group, a record company that owns several labels, including 4AD, Matador Records and XL Recordings. Cannell started his career in marketing at Sony Music before moving to Beggars to work in radio promotions
Christine Osazuwa
Founder, Measure of Music
Christine is the founder of Measure of Music, a global community, conference, and hackathon introducing music and data to industry enthusiasts, now in its sixth year. She has previously worked big names such as Universal Music Sweden and Warner Music Group.
Rachel Croft
Artist
Rachel Croft is an internationally acclaimed musician and artist. Her work has featured on Netflix, BBC Two, and premiered on global platforms including CMT (USA) and the BBC. Rachel’s distinctive sound has filled iconic venues such as The Bitter End (New York), The Bluebird Cafe (Nashville), and Camden Assembly (London).
Submission Information .
April 2026 | Entries Open
13 July 2026 | Submission Deadline
September 2026 | Bands Announced to play on the New Music Stage
7 November 2026 | Performance on the New Music Stage and winner announced
at York Theatre Royal, YO1 7HD, UK.
Judging | All entries will be judged by professionals in the music industry and feedback will be provided to all entrants upon request.
Registration for the New Music Stage is £20.
This includes:
- One entry to submit your track to perform on the New Music Stage
- One ticket to attend the full Music at Aesthetica Programme on 7 November 2026
- Access to live music performances across the day
- Access to industry panels, masterclasses and networking
Songs must be original compositions and capable of being played/sung in front of an audience.
Entries must be entered through a streaming link, (Spotify, Soundcloud, YouTube, BandCamp or Google Drive).
There is no premiere requirement – you are welcome to submit material that has been performed elsewhere, including at other festivals or online.
The competition is open to all ages and all genres of music and spoken word.
Short-listed entries might be required to provide a video of the song being performed.
All music and related content must respect copyright laws and not infringe on any intellectual property rights.
All entrants, regardless of the outcome of their submission, will receive one ticket to attend the full Music Programme at Aesthetica Film Festival on Saturday 7 November.
All entries will be judged online by professionals in the music industry. Feedback will be given.
The final will be judged by a jury made up of key people in the music industry (80%) and the audience (20%).
Finalists travel and accommodation to York will be covered.
Finalists will be given 2 free tickets per band member to the New Music Stage.
The winner will receive £1,000.
The winner will receive mentorship opportunities with Beggars Group and TALENTBANQ.
The opportunity for your music to be played across every Caffè Nero in the UK (subject to approval).
The finalists will perform on the New Music Stage, during the Aesthetica Film Festival on Saturday 7 November, at the York Theatre Royal, YO1 7HD, UK.
Performances will be scheduled in 20-minute sets. There will be a festival approach, with a 10-15 minute soundcheck allocated before your performance to ensure the best possible live sound.
A Sound Technician will be provided.
A full backline will be provided, including standard equipment such as PA system, stage monitors, microphones, DI boxes, and basic drum kit. Please specify any additional technical requirements or instruments in your submission.
You are responsible for bringing any personal instruments or gear not covered by the backline (e.g., guitars, keyboards, pedals).
Please note that all performances must consist of original music only. Covers or performances featuring copyrighted material without proper clearance will not be accepted.
The New Music Stage welcomes submissions of original tracks, EPs, or albums for showcase.
You can submit your music by providing a streaming or download link. Accepted platforms include SoundCloud, Bandcamp, Spotify, or Google Drive.
Please ensure your submission includes high-quality audio files (MP3 or WAV preferred) and any relevant track information or artwork.
If your music is part of a live performance setup or includes unique technical requirements, please provide details in your submission.
If you have questions, please contact: office@asff.co.uk
