AMPLIFI

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

What happens when you bring together 5 funk-lovers from all across the world? Groove Down–a one-of-a-kind mix of talent based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The 5-piece band is creating a name for themselves in the Scottish music scene with their captivating original music.

Inspired by the soulful greats across the decades, Groove Down takes the melodic simplicity of the 70s, high-energy rhythm of the 80s, and the genre-bending of the 90s to create a unique sound that has become their trademark–the simultaneous blending of modern and vintage. The group includes Rue Cooper (Vocals & Lyrics), Michael Fallemann (Guitar), Joan Blasco (Keys), Xabi Villares (Drums), and Mateo Tessore (Bass).

Juniper Lai is a Chinese folk singer based in the UK. She won the Voice of Glasgow in 2023 and performed at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in 2024. With three years of experience busking and performing at the Edinburgh Fringe, her music explores the common experience of diaspora and Chinese immigrant's identity under globalization.Through her heartfelt performances, Juniper brings the beauty of world music to life.

Hailing from Gary, Indiana, and now based in Aberdeen, Nuna is a Nu-jazz/Soul-Funk musician whose sound artfully blends the intricate harmonies of jazz, the soulful depths of R&B, and the infectious grooves of funk.

Born into a family of singers, his musical journey began at age 11 with a keyboard, leading to his mastery of multiple instruments including piano, guitar, bass, and drums. While initially rooted in piano, a chance encounter with bass guitar at an Aberdeen Blues Jam sparked a new passion that continues to shape his evolving sound, influenced by contemporary jazz innovators like Yussef Dayes and BLK ODYSSY.

A talented modern composer, Nuna's music emerges from a space of deep introspection, with each piece serving as a candid conversation with himself. His approach to performance, showcased memorably at The Aberdeen Jazz Festival, embraces both carefully crafted compositions and spontaneous improvisation, reflecting his commitment to musical freedom and authentic expression. Nuna continues to push his artistic boundaries, exploring spoken word, storytelling, and innovative fusions of instrumental and vocal styles.

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.