This isn’t happening anywhere else in the UK. Aesthetica Film Festival is breaking new ground with the launch of the New Music Stage and New Music Pass.
Feature photo: Pleasure Centre
Dubbed the UK’s version of SXSW, Aesthetica is now not only one of the country’s leading independent film festivals, but also a pioneering national competition for emerging music talent. For the first time, audiences will be able to experience the UK’s most exciting new acts within the context of a world-class film festival – a cultural first in the UK.
The Aesthetica New Music Stage will take place on Saturday 8 November 2025 in the iconic York Theatre Royal as part of Aesthetica Film Festival, 5–9 November 2025. Winners of the New Music Stage will be announced on the day, and they will perform immediately after their win.
“Aesthetica has always been about discovery – about bringing new voices, stories, and ideas to audiences,” says Cherie Federico, Director of Aesthetica Film Festival. “This is the only event of its kind in the UK: a film festival that also platforms the future of music. The New Music Stage gives audiences the opportunity to discover tomorrow’s stars right here in York. It’s about creating a cultural hub where film and music collide, ensuring that artists have the chance to be heard on both a national and international scale.”
This year’s line-up is a showcase of exceptional breadth and originality. BLÁNID brings a rich, storytelling voice that has already earned over a million streams, BBC Radio 1 support, and a UK tour with folk legend Judy Collins. Jemma Johnston, the self-taught multi-instrumentalist, adds her unique spin on alternative pop, with festival slots from Tramlines to MiCannes and a magnetic live energy that has been recognised on Radio 1. Then there’s Crazy James, a rapper building his own lane through sheer craft and consistency; his blistering flows and commanding live sets have already turned grassroots energy into headline moments across London and beyond. Kengo is a songwriter and vocalist who channels honesty and lived experience into music that is raw and powerful.
The stage also welcomes artists with crossover potential on both sides of the Atlantic. Ewan Sim blends indie, pop, rock, and soul into heartfelt songs of intimacy and power, fresh from SXSW London and sold-out shows in Manchester. Liverpool’s Daisy Gill brings retro-pop charm with powerhouse vocals that earned her a rare four-chair turn on The Voice UK and over 10 million TikTok views. On the experimental edge, Dilettante – the art-pop project of Francesca Pidgeon – delivers dazzling, groove-laden sets that have taken her from Manchester basements to SXSW and NXNE. Signed to EMI North and praised by MOJO and Uncut, she is as inventive as she is infectious.
Rounding out the programme are a trio of fearless new voices. Tarian, a Welsh artist blending hip hop with emotive pop and classical roots, has amassed over 2M streams and built a devoted TikTok following. Just 19, Isabel Maria has already won major cultural awards and been celebrated by Rolling Stone for her raw, alternative pop songwriting. Finally, Pleasure Centre, an alt/art rock quintet from the North Yorkshire coast, conjure delicate melodies and euphoric walls of sound inspired by shoegaze and Radiohead – a perfect finale to a line-up that truly represents the future of UK music.
But the New Music Stage is more than just a bill of extraordinary talent. It is a commitment to supporting the next wave of artists. With collaborations from Universal Music A&R and opportunities for national airplay across Caffè Nero, the festival is creating a pipeline that connects grassroots talent with national and international audiences.
As Pablo Ettinger, Founder of Caffè Nero and TALENTBANQ, explains: “There is nothing like this anywhere else in the UK. By working with Aesthetica, we are creating a national stage for discovery and giving artists the support they need to take their careers forward. It’s about creating pathways, reaching audiences in new ways, and shining a spotlight on talent that deserves to be heard. Aesthetica is the perfect home for this kind of innovation.”
The New Music Stage is part of Aesthetica’s Beyond the Frame programme, which also includes comedy with Taskmaster champion Sophie Duker, renowned film critic Mark Kermode, and silent cinema with live scores. This expanded programme celebrates creativity across film, music, and performance, offering festivalgoers an unmissable cultural experience.
Hear more from the acts: https://www.asff.co.uk/music/
Tickets and New Music Passes are available from York Theatre Royal: www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
