Plymouth City Centre

New Music 2026 Open Call

Are you a young music artist ready for the big stage? This is your moment to be heard.

Plymouth City Centre Company, Plymouth Culture, and Plymouth Music CIC are looking for 8 talented young music acts to become the sound of Plymouth City Centre in Summer 2026! 

If you’re a solo music performer or a band aged 16-25, this is your chance to perform live as supporting acts right in the heart of the city, and take part in a unique artist development opportunity, where you’ll get to record, mix, and release a single while gaining real industry experience and support.

This call-out closed on 16th February. Stay tuned for the announcement of the selected participants.

Abstract mint-green flower shape with six petals around a white circular center.
Half-circle shape in bright teal on a white background.

What’s in it for you?

A career support package valued at £700 that includes: 

Icon of a microphone on a black background.

A paid live outdoor performance opportunity in Plymouth City Centre (Fee of £250 for a 30 minute supporting act performance)

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Blue circle with a white sound wave icon centered.

Professional recording and mixing of a single at DBS Studios (See studio details here)

A workshop to help you release your music and get your track on streaming platforms

Music note icon with horizontal lines representing sound or music.

Your recorded song featured on the Plymouth City Centre New Music playlist available on a streaming platform.

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Mentoring and support from producer, song-writer, performer, and Plymouth’s Music Ambassador Grace Lightman.

Who should apply?

  • Performers based or studying in Plymouth  

  • Aged 16-25

  • Solo music artists (including singers, instrumentalists)

  • Music bands (at least 80% of members must be aged 16–25) 

  • All music genres welcome 

  • Emerging and unsigned artists encouraged

A band performing outdoors on a plaza, with an audience seated on benches and steps, under a partly cloudy sky.
Four young musicians performing on a rooftop in an urban area with city buildings in the background. The lead singer is a woman with long black hair, wearing a black crop top and pants, holding a microphone. To her right, a man with shoulder-length black hair plays an electric guitar, wearing a floral shirt. Behind them, a man with longer hair plays an acoustic guitar, and on the left, a young man with short red hair plays a drum set.

Key dates:

  • 16 January — Applications open 

  • 16 February – Applications close (10am GMT)

  • March —Selected artists confirmed

  • April – Recording and Mixing Session

  • May — Release Day Workshop 

  • June–Sept — Saturday performances!

Please note: 

All activities will take place on weekends. Once you’re selected, we’ll contact you to arrange and confirm your dates for the recording session, release workshop, and Saturday performance. Your place in the programme will be confirmed after these dates are agreed. 

Recording sessions will be held on mornings or afternoons in April (4th, 11th, 19th, or 25th). We will do our best to fit your schedule, and you and all band members will need to be available for your assigned session.

Each band or solo performer will be matched with a Plymouth City Centre Music Promoter and perform as a supporting act, with a 30-minute live set.

This programme is supported by: