We are delighted to reveal that the four fresh new acts that have been selected for Scratch My Progress 2023 are; HY:LY, Beat Up Car, Garrett Laurie and Martha Greer.

Scratch My Progress is a mentoring, showcase and practical support programme for new music. The dedicated talent development programme, now in its 12th year is powered by the on-going support of PRS Foundation, Belfast City Council and Arts Council of Northern Ireland. 

Over the next 9-months the 4-acts will work with our dedicated Talent Development Manager, Charlene Hegarty, to uncover opportunities for their music and take part in workshops, studio time, professional photo shoots, showcases, industry mentoring and one to one development. Over the years our talent development artists have had one to one sessions with PRS, PPL, PRSF, Musicians Union, Atlantic Records (Ed Sheeran, Charli XCX), Parlophone Records (Gorillaz), Domino Records (Anna Calvi, Arctic Monkeys), ATC Live (Yard Act, Billy Nomates), Runway Artists (Emmy The Great, Meryl Streek), Jeff Robinson PR (The 1975, Belsonic) to name a few.  

The Scratch My Progress scheme is open to artists representing the rock, alternative, acoustic, rap, pop, folk, punk and electronic genres and Scratch has mentored a diverse range of talent over the years including NI Music Prize Winners Kitt Philippa, Sasha Samara and Sister Ghost, music and media personalities Gemma Bradley & Emer Maguire and recent graduates Lemonade Shoelace and Problem Patterns have since inked management, label, agency and global publishing deals since graduating from our incubation programme.

More information on the artists selected for 2023/2024;

We hear unique promise in each of the acts but don’t just trust us, here’s what others have been saying so far….

HY:LY

“HY:LY blends the dance floor percussion of techno & drum & bass with elements of psychedelic rock, via her own vocal delivery and field recordings to create an abstract melting pot of energy.” - Resident Advisor

Martha Greer

“The songs are exceptionally reflective and I hear a yearning in the words that comes only from being at the cusp of 18” - Dig With It

Garrett Laurie

“Having grown up singing in church folk groups, the Belfast-based artist’s folk-pop craft – and exquisite vocal delivery – is proving every bit as gossamer as it is quietly beatific.” - The Thin Air

Beat Up Car

Beat Up Car are really very brand new so they are starting with a crisp blank page and we will help them chalk it up with lots of new appreciation for their emotive indie pop that hooked us on the first listen.