Manchester Music City and Horizons have announced the nine artists selected to play the Horizons Stage at this year’s WOMEX (Worldwide Music Expo), which will take place in Manchester between 23 and 27 October 2024. The stage will platform and celebrate diverse music from England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland/Alba and Cymru/Wales with the aim of helping homegrown artists gain international recognition.
The Horizons partnership — comprising Arts Council England, Culture Ireland, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Creative Scotland, Wales Arts International, Arts Council of Wales, British Council and British Underground — was founded over a decade ago at WOMEX 13 in Cardiff, the last time the UK and Ireland hosted the major event. Since then, the Horizons partners have come together each year at WOMEX to provide advice, funding and showcasing opportunities to grassroots musicians from each of the five nations.
The WOMEX 24 Horizons Stage artists were chosen by a panel of music industry professionals following an open call for applications earlier this year. The line-up includes one act from the host city, in partnership with local producer Manchester Music City.
The artists performing on the WOMEX 24 Horizons Stage are:
- Amy Laurenson (Scotland/Alba)
- Balimaya Project (England)
- Cerys Hafana (Wales)
- Córas Trio (Northern Ireland)
- Gnoss (Scotland/Alba)
- Gwenifer Raymond (England)
- N’famady Kouyaté (Cymru/Wales)
- Rioghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet (Manchester)
- Strange Boy (Ireland)
“On behalf of the Horizons partnership, we are delighted to announce the nine artists performing on the Horizons Stage at this year’s WOMEX. Over the last 10 years the Horizons partners have joined together at WOMEX to showcase the very best of the UK and Ireland’s rich musical offer to peers and industry professionals from across the globe. We are excited to be working with this year’s host partner Manchester Music City to kickstart the global careers of many more talented homegrown artists.” - Dr Claire Mera-Nelson, Director of Music, Arts Council England
More information, along with a Spotify playlist dedicated to the artists, can be found on the Horizons website.
