Next Stage – FAQ

Next Stage is aimed at musicians and performers aged between 18 and 26. Both bands with multiple members and solo artists may participate, provided they have not released an album or do not have a recording contract with a major record label. All band members must be in the specified age range.

Both bands and artists with a backing track / DJ can participate in the showcase, but the event is meant for presenting your own music. In this context, cover songs arranged as your own artistic interpretations are also accepted. The music style or composition is not limited, and we encourage applications from a wide range of musical styles within rhythm music.

We also welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, such as people of different genders, people with disabilities, and people from different linguistic, cultural, or other population groups.

The first phase of the showcase is the open application via an online form. The form is open Feb 9-22 and in the form you include basic information about the performer/band, marketing materials and a link to the music sample (one song). A professional panel will go through all the applications and select 15 acts to proceed to the semi-finals. The performers selected to the semi-finals will be notified by March 9.

The semi-finals are organized in April (April 1, 2 and 14) at Espoo's cultural venues. In each semi-final, there are five performers, each with a 15-minute playing time. The performers will receive an verbal feedback from the professional panel after their turn. At the end of the evening, the panel will choose one act to proceed to the final.

The final is organized on Sat May 23. At the final event, three artists will perform, one from each semi-final, with a 20 minute playing time each. Performers will once again receive live verbal feedback from the professional panel. At the end of the evening, the panel will hand out prizes and reveal which artist is selected to perform at the midsummer event at Hybridiarena Hype.

In the live events, each performer receives verbal feedback from the professional panel, the aim of which is to help the performers develop and advance in their careers. Two panel members are present at the semi-finals, and three at the final.

The professional panel members include for example Katja Vauhkonen (Artist Manager, Backbone Management & executive director, IndieCo ry), Mari Hatakka (executive director, Tavastia), Sini Tiainen (Music Content Manager Nordics, Qobuz), Lotta Savolainen (journalist, Radio Helsinki & managing director, Music & Media), Jojo von Hertzen (Finnish Music Creators’ Association, Mimmi Label) and Ella Mäntynen (Goldielocks, artist).

The aim of the event is to help young musicians and performers develop and advance in their careers. In the live events, each performer receives verbal feedback from the professional panel. 

All three performers who perform at the final event will be paid a performance fee of €1000 as well as receive the Mimmi Label promotion or artist career package (value €750) according to their choice. Among the final three, one performer will be selected to perform at the Kivenlahti Midsummer event at Hybridiarena Hype, on Fri 19 June. In addition, the Finnish Music Creators’ Association will award one performer from among the finalists with a Music Creators’ special award.  

In the showcase, we pay attention to the following areas, among others:

• Freshness, is there something new or surprising in the music / act
• The quality of playing and technical skill, musicality
• The catchiness and/or memorability of the song
• Readiness for the industry, capability for development

At the semi-finals and the final, the venues' technical equipment is used. The venues will be responsible for:

• Microphones
• DI boxes
• Sound mixing
• Monitoring

Further information from Senior Producer Liina Sipilä, liina.sipila(at)espoo.fi.

The application form is here(external link, opens in a new window).