Pale Waves on the BBC Sound of 2018 Longlist

The longlist for the BBC Sound of 2018 poll has been revealed, and we are pleased to announce that BIMM Manchester alumni, Heather Baron-Gracie and Ciara Doran from Pale Waves fame have been nominated.

BBC’s Sound of was launched in 2003 and has acted as a stepping stone for some of the biggest international artists, with previous winners including Adele (2008), Sam Smith (2014), and Ellie Goulding (2010).

The BBC Sound Of poll is voted for by over 170 pundits – including former nominees and winners Stormzy, Ellie Goulding, Years & Years’ Olly Alexander, Loyle Carner, Michael Kiwanuka and Ray BLK.

This year’s longlist features sixteen artists for the first time. The shortlist of the top five most tipped acts will be announced over the course of the week commencing Monday 8 January 2018  – with the winner announced by Annie Mac on Clara Amfo’s show at 10 am on Friday 12 January.

“I’m super excited to see so many young and innovative rising stars from around the world on this year’s Sound Of 2018 longlist”, says Annie. “Some acts will be brand new to UK audiences, and many have already started to make an impact with us at Radio 1 and 1Xtra and out performing live. Countless numbers of talented artists have featured on previous Sound Of lists, and I’m delighted by the level of talent presented again this year. I can’t wait to be a part of their journey and see what the year ahead has in store for them all”.

Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra’s Head Of Music Chris Price adds:

“The BBC Music Sound of 2018 longlist is impressive for its strength and diversity. The stellar list of new acts here, many of whom have seen significant early support from Radio 1 and 1Xtra, fill me with confidence that 2018 will be an exciting year for emerging talent”.

The Pale Waves singer and drummer are not the first BIMM nominees for this award. In the last five years, many of the artists on the longlist have studied at BIMM, or have BIMM students in their bands:  Jungle, Luke Sital Singh, Cabbage and Izzy Bizu have all been nominated for the Sound of longlist in recent years. George Ezra was voted fifth in 2014, and Marina & the Diamonds and James Bay were both runners-up in 2010 and 2015 respectively.

All of us at BIMM wish Pale Waves’ Heather and Ciara all the very best of luck!