Scotland’s rising African music stars vie for career-changing opportunity at Edinburgh showcase
Some of Scotland’s brightest emerging African music talent are preparing to take centre stage in Edinburgh, as they vie for a potentially career-changing opportunity to work with acclaimed producer and DJ Auntie Flo, and win a slot at a major Glasgow music festival.
Six exciting artists will showcase their sounds at Cab Vol on Sunday 1 November in a celebration of African music meets Scottish creativity for a night that promises everything from Afrobeats to soul, jazz and gospel.
The event is one of three regional live heats for Afrosymphony – a special artist development initiative from the Glasgow Barons orchestra and Govan Music Festival organisers, designed to champion diverse talent in Scotland.
Following a nation-wide search which attracted dozens of applicants, 18 stand out acts will perform across three finals in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
A UK wide panel of industry professionals came up with the impressive shortlist, with those involved praising the quality and diversity of talent across Scotland.
Following the live performances, Auntie Flo will select three acts to join him at Gorbals Sound recording studios where they will have the chance to collaborate on and create an original track.
The music will then be imagined for a live orchestra by The Glasgow Barons and performed at Saint Luke’s in Glasgow, to officially open Govan Music Festival on Sunday 14 March 2027.
The three finalists will open for Auntie Flo himself for a night that promises a genre-bending night of African-inspired rhythms, electronic sounds and the expansiveness of a live orchestra.
Shortlisted artists performing in Edinburgh are:
Ay Bangz is a rising R&B, soul and country pop artist based in Aberdeen, Scotland, whose sound blends soulful melodies with rhythmic African roots and contemporary UK influences.
Francis Bondd has become one of the most talked about rising acts in the central belt right now. Originally from Lagos Nigeria, Francis Bondd arrived in Scotland as a student and started busking on Buchanan Street, going viral on social media.
LOLA!, a Nigerian Scottish R&B artist, quickly carving out a space for herself with a sound built around infectious rhythms and a distinct sense of identity.
Peter Adonteng is an Edinburgh-based contemporary gospel musician, praise and worship leader at PIWC TARKWA.
Memory Zaranyika is an afro-pop jazz musician whose music blends a melodious voice, thoughtful lyrics and stories rooted in everyday life.
Rue Cooper is a singer and songwriter from Nassau, Bahamas who is making a name for herself throughout Scotland as the “woman of soul”.
The night will be hosted by house artists, Ugandan-born, Edinburgh-based DJ Rawzi and MC Kouk.
Paul MacAlindin, Artistic Director of The Glasgow Barons and Govan Music Festival, said: “Scotland is home to a wealth of diverse musical talent and Afrosymphony is all about giving these artists the platform, opportunities and recognition that they deserve. We’ve been blown away by the quality and diversity of musicians who have put themselves forward.
“These live showcases are a chance to showcase the incredible talent and we really can’t wait for our audiences to discover their fantastic sounds. For the artists taking part, the chance to work with Auntie Flor and hear their own music brought to life by a live orchestra is so exciting and it’s fantastic to see so many talented individuals grab the opportunity with both hands.”
Afrosymphony has been made possible by support from the Scottish Government's Expanded Festivals Fund through Creative Scotland and is also set to run for Govan Music Festival 2028.
Glasgow-born Brian d’Souza aka Auntie Flo is known for his boundary-pushing fusion of electronic and global sounds that have earned him a Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award and taken him from Glasgow’s Sub Club to Glastonbury and beyond,
Tickets for the Afrosymphony Live Heats in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen are available now for £5 plus booking fee.