AMPLIFI Sept 2024

The Queen's Hall presents Season 4 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:

Fifidiny is a dynamic singer-songwriter making waves in the Scottish music scene with her unique blend of electro-pop and Afrobeat alternative sounds. Hailing from the Highlands of Scotland with Madagascan roots, Fifidiny has not only captivated audiences with her upbeat catchy melodies but has also garnered recognition within the industry. With two Proudly Black and Scottish awards under her belt, Fifidiny's music resonates with authenticity and cultural richness.

Fifidiny's track ‘Nobody Knows’ was selected as BBC Track of the Week, showcasing Fifidiny's ability to craft compelling and emotive compositions that strike a chord with listeners. Additionally, Fifidiny is pitched as "One to Watch" by renowned music tastemaker Jim Gellatly for the year 2024, further solidifying her status as an emerging talent to watch.

With a distinct musical style that seamlessly merges diverse influences, Fifidiny continues to push boundaries and carve out her own path in the Scottish music industry. Her electrifying performances and soul-stirring lyrics promise to leave an indelible mark on audiences far and wide

Raised in Glasgow, Scotland and surrounded by music his entire life, the release of 'I Am An Instrument' – a completely acapella record focusing on harmonies and vocal layers – sparked an even deeper love for Jeremy Mbiba's creative process. Bouncing between R&B, pop and jazz, he has made it his mission to continually chase growth as an artist and constantly challenge his artistry. The love and heartbreak singer has since taken to the stage to translate his feel-good melodies into an engaging live set. Whether he's tearing it up on the legendary King Tut’s stage or slowing it down for a flowing intimate and personal set with M4&Friends, every performance feels tailor made and relatable. 

Sinathi Maphalala is a producer and artist from Glasgow, who takes influence from gospel and R&B, both of which feature heavily in their musical output. Sinathi has been producing for over four years and has had the pleasure of working with many talented creatives in the Scottish music scene and beyond. Despite this, his journey has only just begun and he looks forward to seeing where his music takes him in the future.

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 The Big Light, The Ferret, Mental Health Foundation, Fringe of Colour and many more.  Podcasts she has worked on and continue to work on include Sheku Bayoh: The Inquiry and A Sonic Hug. Halina is Communications Manager for We Are Here Scotland – A space aimed at supporting and raising the voices of Black People and People of Colour creatives across Scotland.

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