Applications are now open for Hello You! The Janice Long Emerging Artist Award 2026.
Set up in 2022 by Birmingham’s Moseley Folk and Arts Festival, where Janice was an enthusiastic longstanding compère, the award is inspired by her insistence and determination to help and support new musicians at the start of their career.
The award is open to new and emerging unsigned solo artists aged 16+ from England and Wales working within the Folk, Rock, Indie, Psychedelic and Alternative genres, with the recipient receiving vital career support from the festival, including profile slots on their Janice Long Stage in both 2026 and 2027.
The deadline for 2026 award applications is Friday 31 July 2026.
Liverpool-born Janice Long’s broadcasting career stretches across five decades. The first woman to gain a daily music show on BBC Radio 1, she went on to host shows across BBC Radio 2, BBC 6Music, BBC Wales, Greatest Hits Radio, XFM and BBCWM – where she embraced Birmingham. A pioneer, she was also the first regular female presenter on legendary BBC One chart show, Top Of The Pops.
After compèring the very first Moseley Folk Festival in 2006, Janice continued to visit the annual event until her tragic passing in 2021. Her positivity and love of music left an indelible impression on visiting acts, festival organisers and audiences – inspiring the award, which has previously been won by solo artists Bobby West and Louie Miles, and Americana act Brown Horse.
- Full details on how to apply can be found at: moseleyfolk.co.uk/hello_you/