Culture & Education | Thursday 20 October, 2016 8:52 am |

Since the announcement of the Yasalam Emerging Talent Competition’s (ETC) top ten shortlists, the acts are currently undergoing hands-on training that includes expert guidance and mentoring from industry leaders.

 Alastar, BLAK R, Elika Genteroy, FREEK, Gusto, Hasan Malik, Jamil Jabbour, Naree, Rashed Al Nuaimi and Sree, kicked off the month-long workshops with a session on PR and social media management. Next up is a dedicated all-day bespoke workshop led by Universal Music MENA. Shortlisted candidates will get a closer look into the label’s many divisions, taken through the history of the label, its role in an artist’s journey, as well as insider insights about some of the music legends on Universal Music’s roster. 

Speaking after one of the sessions, Emirati Rashed Al Nuaimi, one of the shortlisted artists, said, “I’m delighted to be one of the shortlisted acts. The workshops really help you focus on the wider aspects of the music business. The learning is invaluable and will help me focus on developing my brand.”

Additional workshops include a session by Anghami and first-hand mentoring by current reigning ETC 2015 winners S.O.S. (Secrecy over Supremacy), programme ambassador DJ Saif and of course one-to-one sessions with all the judges sharing their industry knowledge. The workshops will culminate with a mentoring session from ETC judge, Hollaphonic’s Oliver Wood, on his knowledge of signing to a major record label.

The competing ten look ahead to the upcoming weeks of more training, after which, three finalists will be selected for the unmissable opportunity to perform at the Beats on the Beach stage on the Abu Dhabi Corniche on 24 November, as part of the Yasalam 2016 festival. Their outcome lays in the hands of the esteemed judging panel: multi award-winning Hollaphonic’s Olly Wood; songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and orchestral composer Reiner Erlings; and one of Abu Dhabi and New York’s most prominent live music influencers Bill Bragin. 

In the run-up to the finale, the public are invited to join the shortlisted acts who will be performing at a one-off public show at the Palm Court, Yas Mall on Thursday 27 October from 7pm-9pm.

Between May and September, eager young talent from across the UAE have submitted their music to be judged by top music professionals with a life-changing career opportunity up for grabs for the winning act. In addition to the special performance at the free-to-attend international music festival on Abu Dhabi Corniche, Beats on the Beach 2016, the prize includes a year-long house residency in The Village, du Arena, throughout 2016 and 2017 and other exciting elements such as media exposure and training. 

 

The Emerging Talent Competition provides a platform for rising stars of the local community to showcase their musical talent, whilst entertaining residents and visitors with the best in new sounds.