About The Big Gig

The Big Gig is Cardiff’s Music talent competition. The Competition is open to artists all across South Wales, making any genre of music, at all stages in their careers. The Big Gig grants artists the opportunity to showcase their music to new audiences and in front of a panel of industry experts.

12 applicants will be selected to take part in The Big Gig. The 12 artists will be split up into two groups of 6 and will compete in one of the two semi-finals which will take place at Fuel, Womanby Street on January 28th and 29th. A panel of judges from various music backgrounds, will select 3 finalists from each semi final to proceed to the grand final on February 15th at Clwb Ifor Bach.

Prizes this year include a coveted spot on the bill at Sŵn Festival 2020, plus recording time with legendary producer Charlie Francis, who has worked with a range of artists, from Future of the Left, to Turin Brakes, Robyn Hitchcock, Wilco and REM.

DOWNLOAD THE BIG GIG ENTRY FORM


 

How to apply

  1. Download the The Big Gig entry form.
  2. Complete the entry form.
  3. Email the entry form along with two MP3 files of music to biggig@cardiff.gov.uk

Applications for The Big Gig 2020 open on Friday November 22nd and close on Monday December 16th. Please read the full terms and conditions before submitting your application. Terms and conditions can be found on the application form.

DOWNLOAD THE BIG GIG ENTRY FORM


 

Benefits for artists

The competition winners will be awarded a spot on the Sŵn Festival 2020 lineup, as well as free recording time with legendary producer Charlie Francis.

A prize of £100 PMT store credit will be awarded to the artist finishing in second place.

The Big Gig is a great platform for emerging Welsh talent. Apart from the fantastic prizes that The Big Gig awards to the winners, all 12 artists will receive opportunities to playing on a diverse bill, gain exposure to new audiences, receive constructive feedback from industry professionals, and have opportunities to network with other artists

Previous Big Gig finalists have gone on to perform at Swn Festival, SXSW, and Glastonbury as well as being booked to appear as part of Cardiff Council’s events programme.

“Winning the Big Gig was a stepping stone from ‘aspiring musician’ to ‘artist with purpose’: my relationship with Charlie Francis began as a result of winning the competition, and in the intervening years it has helped to transform my music-making process to where it is today.” – MADI, The Big Gig winner 2013

DOWNLOAD THE BIG GIG ENTRY FORM


 

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