Scotland-wide search launched to find the next generation of African music talent

A Scotland-wide search gets underway today to discover and champion the next generation of African music talent in Scotland, offering emerging artists the chance to record with acclaimed DJ and producer Auntie Flo and perform their music live with an orchestra.

The one-of-a-kind Afrosymphony project, masterminded by the Glasgow Barons orchestra and Govan Music Festival organisers, invites aspiring African singers and singers of African descent in Scotland to put themselves forward for the ambitious new artist development programme.

The initiative, which brings together the worlds of Afro beats, orchestral music and world-class production, will provide three promising artists with an opportunity that has the potential to catapult their careers.

The trio of successful artists will be selected to work in the studio with Glasgow-born Brian d’Souza aka Auntie Flo, whose boundary-pushing fusion of electronic and global sounds has earned him a Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award and taken him from Glasgow’s Sub Club to Glastonbury and beyond.

The music created by each artist will be imagined for a live orchestra by The Glasgow Barons, Glasgow’s regeneration orchestra, culminating in a gig at Saint Luke’s in Glasgow, to officially open Govan Music Festival on Sunday 14 March 2027. 

The night will be headlined by Auntie Flo himself, also backed by the live orchestra, for what is set to be an electrifying performance showcasing electronic, African-influenced and orchestral sounds.

Submissions for Afrosymphony are open until 21 September, with applicants, who must be Scottish residents, required to submit one audio track or video of their work. 

A diverse jury of artists and producers will then vote on a shortlist. Shortlisted artists will be invited to take part in live semi-finals in Glasgow, Edinburgh or Aberdeen. Finally, Auntie Flo will interview selected candidates to decide which three finalists he works with.

Auntie Flo said: “It’s an honour to be part of the Afrosymphony project: as a Glasgow-born Scot with a Kenyan-Goan mother, and with my long history of championing music of African influence in Scotland and beyond, it feels like a perfect fit. 

“This project brings together two of my passions – my love of African music and my joy at working with younger generations. I’m really looking forward to working with some inspiring new talent and seeing what we come up with!”

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.

Paul MacAlindin, Artistic Director of The Glasgow Barons and Govan Music Festival, said: “There is so much exciting, diverse talent in Scotland and Afrosymphony aims to give Afro artists a platform to take a purposeful step forward in their careers. The project is about opening doors, giving musicians paid live experience and time in a room with someone who knows what’s involved in building an international career. This is a very special opportunity and we feel Auntie Flo is the perfect artist to share his passion and experience with the lucky finalists.

“We’ll then bring it all together to open Govan Music Festival for what I know is going to be a stunning event. We’re thrilled that Afrosymphony has received support from the Scottish Government’s Expanded Festivals Fund through Creative Scotland to allow us to embark on this amazing two-year project.”

Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland said: “For years, Govan has been home to some of the most vibrant grassroots music communities in Scotland. Musicians arriving from across the world are putting down roots here alongside others whose connections with this part of Glasgow go back generations. The result is a potent mix of shared cultures and the perfect setting for Afrosymphony. This unique opportunity to spotlight our emerging African artists under the experienced eye of Auntie Flo is a timely recognition of the untapped talent that is threaded through Scotland’s brilliantly diverse music scene.”

Over a career spanning 15 years, Auntie Flo has made his name by ‘taking World Music into the future’ (The Guardian), ‘pushing boundaries’ (Phonica Records) and being ‘one of the most inventive talents of our time’ (Test Pressing). 

An incredible Scottish music success story, he is renowned for embracing out-of-the-ordinary and adventurous performances: street parties in Cuba, mountains festivals in Nepal, beaches in Goa, artist residencies in Brazil, rooftops in Kenya, New Year’s Eve celebrations in Japan and even sun rituals in the Arctic Circle.

Applications for Afrosymphony are open now and close on 21 September 2026.

Apply now at www.glasgowbarons.com/afrosymphony.