Information

Brighter Sound and Band on the Wall present: Wall of Sounds Artistic Directors Series - Beth Orton

This is the online application form for participation in the Beth Orton Residency. Please read the information below before clicking "NEXT" to go through to the application questions.

We are thrilled to announce that the wonderful Beth Orton will be leading our fourth Wall of Sounds Artistic Directors Series.
From the 16th to the 20th February, Beth will lead a 5-day intensive residency for 13 female musicians, vocalists and songwriters from across the UK...

 The material created during this incredible week of collaboration will be showcased live at Manchester’s Band on the Wall on the 20th February.


About the Project

The Wall of Sounds Residency offers emerging and mid-career artists* the chance to work with an innovative, creatively exciting professional artist who has a depth of knowledge and experience to share.

This is a unique, and special opportunity for 13 female emerging artists including musicians, songwriters, composers and vocalists from across the UK to work intensively with Beth Orton, over 5 days, and develop their skills, aspirations and perspectives on their music and careers.

“I have always loved collaborating and I have been lucky enough to work with some wonderful people. I am thrilled to be asked to support and take part in this exciting and important project. Getting the chance to mentor, or simply the opportunity to stand as witness to the diverse, and possibly unheard, talents of artists from all across the UK fills me with curiosity and some apprehension! To imagine such a group brought together to collaborate together in one room is awe inspiring, the possibilities endless, there is no way of telling the magic that could come from that. If I’m lucky I will get to share some of what has been passed along to me over the years. I am equally prepared to be humbled beyond recognition and cannot wait to be so!” Beth Orton

“This residency will profile thirteen exciting female composers from across the UK and give them the opportunity to compose, collaborate and showcase their work. I am delighted that Beth Orton is leading this residency and hope it will further promote and profile the role of women as innovators and creators in the music industry.”
Debra King, Brighter Sound Director

“It’s the sort of opportunity that money can’t buy, that decides a career, turns on a light, ignites a creative candle - a candle that shines upon your face and lets the world know who you are. It’s the kind of opportunity that can give someone the boost they need for stepping on into the next generation of British music”
Bethan Morgan-Williams, residency participant.


Residency Dates: 16th to 20th February 2015

Performance: Friday 20th February (Evening: 8pm - 11pm)

*We’d expect an ‘emerging' or 'mid-career' artist to be someone who was at a turning point somewhere within an existing or freshly developing career as a professional or semi professional artist. If you’d like to talk to us about whether this applies to you, please contact Charlie Morrison on 0161 830 3899 or Email Us


About Beth Orton

Beth Orton is a BRIT Award–winning English singer-songwriter, known for her "folktronica" sound, which mixes elements of folk and electronica. She was initially recognised for her collaborations with William Orbit and the Chemical Brothers in the mid 1990s, but these were not Orton's first recordings. She released a solo album named Superpinkymandy in 1993, which went largely unnoticed by international audiences as it was only released in Japan. However her second solo album, Trailer Park, garnered much critical acclaim in 1996
Application information:

Who can apply?

The programme is aimed at female “emerging and mid-career artists”. If you want to talk to us about whether this means you, please Email Us  

All female musicians are invited to apply – any instrument, any genre.

Dates: 16th - 20th February 2015
Performance: Friday 20th February - 8pm

Applicants must be available for the whole week – including evenings – to attend all sessions in person at Band on the Wall, Manchester.
Expenses: £100 for the week plus accommodation if required.

Applicants must be female and aged 18 or over.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5pm on Friday 23rd January 2015

For further information and advice please contact Kate Lowes on 0161 830 3899 or Email Us

Bands cannot apply together due to limited places, but may apply as, and will be judged as individual artists.
Further Information:

Wall of Sounds is produced and delivered by Brighter Sound in a partnership between Brighter Sound and Band on the Wall funded by Arts Council England’s Grants for the Arts Fund.

We offer a range of support for emerging and mid-career musicians including conferences, masterclasses, residencies, coaching, mentoring and performances.

Each residency is a five-day creative music project where 13 emerging & mid career musicians and artists collaborate with the guidance of an artistic director to devise, re-work, produce and arrange new and existing work culminating in a unique showcase event at Band on the Wall.

Residencies give musicians the space and time to work intensively with each other and the lead artists, collaborating on ideas, developing artistic practice, honing musical skills and developing strong working relationships.

Click to see films of the previous residencies with The Unthanks, Snarky Puppy & DJ Yoda

If you wish to apply for the 5-day Artistic Directors Series Residency with Beth Orton from Monday February 16th to Friday February 20th 2015 at Band on the Wall, please fill out the application below.

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