AMPLIFI March 2023

The Queen's Hall presents Season 2 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:

4TUNE: When four different Scottish backgrounds collided, 4TUNE came to life. A new, young, and fresh pop/R&B girl group formed of four completely different girls who are all chasing the same dream. The group wish to be Scotland's first successful and next generation band whilst making a change in the music industry for young girls. Hope, Tia, Tamara, and Calla wish to make this change with their upbeat yet relatable pop/ R&B sound, partnered with their unique identities. 4TUNE have a lot planned for 2023 and they can't wait to show you what they've been working on!

Xavier LaCroix: Edinburgh/London based artist Xavier LaCroix explores vulnerability with his self produced blend of lo-fi, R&B, and bedroom pop. Promising raw honesty in his expression and DIY approach, this is a musician with a unique identity who is beginning to hold momentum within the scene.

Nikhita is an artist based in Edinburgh with a blended sound rooted in soul/R&B, and influence pulled from her South Asian identity. With material underpinned by delicate vocals and a strong, storytelling-type lyricism, Nikhita’s debut single ‘Aphrodite’ went on to earn her the title of BBC Introducing Artist of The Week, where she featured on BBC Asian Network for an interview with Jasmine Takhar. Inspired by an array of artists, such as Joy Crookes, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Raveena, and Jhené Aiko, Nikhita brings her own sound to the table and hopes you find solace in her art.

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.