AMPLIFI Oct 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:

7hoenix Ogya aka “Humble Lion” is a songwriter based in the city of Edinburgh with deep-rooted Ghanaian heritage. Ogya effortlessly blends his cultural influences into his work, creating a masterfully smooth vibe that resonates with listeners on a profound level. With his soulful vocals and thought-provoking lyrics, Ogya skillfully navigates the depths of human emotions, providing a fresh perspective on the complexities of relationships. As he continues to create his signature sound, 7hoenix Ogya is carving out a place for himself in the music industry, leaving an indelible mark. His artistry transcends boundaries and defies categorisation, positioning him as an artist to watch closely in the years to come.

Flava J: Born in Portugal, Flava J’s distinct sound is the culmination of African music and rhythms of Angola, Cape Verde and Sao Tome e Principe. A full-rounded artist passionate about conscious lyrics, clever productions and astonishing performances, their music defies the usual expectations, showcasing their experience as a professionally trained dancer, actor and singer songwriter.

Ringu is a captivating and passionate neo-soul singer and producer. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland and currently staying in Glasgow to explore more creative opportunities at college and in the young jazz scene, Ringu has a keen ear for drum patterns and creating intimate lyrics. Her creativity began at 17 writing jazz inspired songs on her piano and guitar at home. She draws influence from jazz, soul, hip-hop and lofi and regularly performs at pop-up hip-hop nights around Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as events like Kelburn Garden Party. Ringu has the ability to evoke a wide range of vocal skills that display her emotions and explore themes of self discovery, social barriers and empowerment, and she continues to find new ways to redefine genres that can help encourage younger creatives.

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.