AMPLIFI Dec 2023

The Queen's Hall presents Season 3 of our gig series showcasing the sounds of modern Scotland.

With artists hand-picked by guest curators Arusa Qureshi and Halina Rifai of We Are Here Scotland - staged in our intimate performance space - AMPLIFI presents an exciting opportunity to see new and rising artists in a setting designed to amplify their voices and put them centre stage.

PERFORMERS:

In the vibrant tapestry of the music world, LAMAYA stands as a dazzling thread, weaving together influences from across the globe with a genre-bending Experimental Soul fused into her music that is setting her on a meteoric rise to stardom. At just 19 years old, Lamaya possesses a musical prowess that belies her youth. She's a true maestro in crafting melodies and lyrics that resonate deep within the soul. But what truly sets her apart is her unapologetic embrace of transcending the constraints of a genre, seamlessly fusing many elements. For Lamaya, it's a call to arms, a declaration that music should be daring and different. She's not intentionally rebelling; rather, her authenticity itself is perceived as an act of nonconformity.

Ziggy is a Scottish-based artist, singer and songwriter. Her interests are in R&B and Soul and due to her Jamaican heritage, you'll also hear influences of reggae and dancehall. With her soulful, velvety voice, you'll get lost in sweet harmonies and honest lyrics. Inspired by artists like Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill, Rihanna and Ari Lennox, Ziggy brings an uplifting spirit and light with her lyrics and music. 

Having been featured on BBC radio Scotland for his singles released from the Unspoken Ep, Zimbabwean born CH Unspoken has demonstrated his eagerness to be the best. His style boasts a “Can Do” swagger which he has shown from his music releases across genres ranging from Afro all the way to Drill music and now he is tearing through Pop music and RnB adding a touch of Soul through features. 

CURATORS:

Arusa Qureshi is an award-winning writer, editor and speaker with a passion for music, diversity and accessibility within arts and culture. Her book about women in UK hip hop, ‘Flip the Script’, is out now via 404 Ink. She has bylines in The Guardian, NME, Clash, Time Out, The Forty-Five and The Scotsman.

Halina Rifai is a podcast producer, music writer, PR & digital marketer. She founded music site Podcart in 2009 and went on to become a podcast producer, working with the likes of BBC Scotland, The Big Light, Mental Health Foundation, Fringe of Colour and more. She works in PR & Marketing with Scottish Women Inventing Music and Dardishi: a creative platform for Arab & North African women and gender monitories.

Supported by Creative Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council.

Winner of the Creative Edinburgh 'Inclusion' Award.

Presented by The Queen’s Hall and We Are Here Scotland