Breakout Artist of 2027 – Terms and Conditions

1. Overview

The Breakout Artist of 2027 (the “Programme”) is run by Music Gateway Ltd (“Music Gateway”, “we”, “our”, or “us”).

By entering the Programme, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions, together with our core Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The Programme is designed to identify and support one outstanding artist based in the UK or Ireland with strategic guidance, music promotion and marketing support throughout 2027.

2. Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be aged 18 or over.
• Be based in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland.
• Be actively releasing music and have a realistic release strategy for 2027.
• Own or control the necessary rights to any music submitted as part of their application.
• Submit only original music created by the artist or act applying.

Applications are welcomed from both signed and unsigned artists.

Group submissions are permitted but must nominate a primary contact.

Music that is wholly or primarily AI-generated will not be eligible.

Music Gateway reserves the right to request evidence of eligibility at any stage of the Programme.

3. Submission Requirements

To enter the Programme, applicants must:

• Complete the official application form.
• Provide a valid Spotify artist profile.
• Provide any additional information requested as part of the application.
• Submit their application before 23:59 GMT on 28th October 2026.

Music Gateway will assess each application based on the artist’s overall catalogue rather than an individual release.

Only one application per artist or act is permitted.

There is no entry fee.

Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.

4. Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by Music Gateway’s A&R team.

Selection will take into account factors including, but not limited to:

• Quality of music.
• Commercial and creative potential.
• Readiness of catalogue.
• Release strategy.
• Artist commitment and professionalism.
• Audience engagement and growth potential.
• Whether Music Gateway believes it can effectively deliver promotional services to support the artist.

Artists selected to progress may be invited to submit a short video introducing themselves and discussing their plans.

Failure to submit the requested video by the stated deadline, or failure to meet the required brief, may result in removal from the selection process.

Music Gateway will announce the Artists To Watch shortlist on December 2026.

The shortlisted artists will then be reviewed by an independent panel of industry professionals who will select the Breakout Artist of 2027.

The winner will be announced on January 2027.

Music Gateway reserves the right not to select a winner if, in the opinion of Music Gateway or the judging panel, no applicant meets the required standard for the Programme.

5. The Award

The Breakout Artist will receive access to a £20,000 Music Promotion Fund.

The Promotion Fund:

• Is not a cash prize.
• Cannot be exchanged for cash or transferred to another individual or organisation.
• Must only be used on Music Gateway services.
• Will be distributed across four quarterly allocations of up to £5,000 throughout 2027.

The fund is intended exclusively to support the promotion and development of new music releases during 2027.

The winner must demonstrate clear and proactive plans to release and promote music throughout the Programme.

While these plans will be considered during judging, if the winner’s circumstances materially change after selection (including but not limited to becoming inactive, cancelling releases or entering into agreements that prevent Music Gateway from delivering promotional services), Music Gateway reserves the right to reduce, suspend or withdraw any remaining Promotion Fund.

Fund allocation and campaign planning will be agreed between the Artist and Music Gateway’s A&R and Campaigns teams.

The winner will also be required to enter into a separate Breakout Artist Agreement, which governs delivery of the Promotion Fund and the obligations of both parties.

Eligible services may include (but are not limited to):

• Spotify playlist campaigns
• Digital advertising
• YouTube advertising
• Social media advertising
• TikTok creator campaigns
• Digital PR
• Radio promotion
• Marketing strategy
• Campaign consultancy
• Other promotional services offered by Music Gateway during the Programme.

6. Campaign Delivery Requirements

The winner must maintain the necessary platforms, accounts and permissions required to deliver promotional campaigns.

This may include:

• Spotify for Artists
• YouTube
• TikTok
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Other relevant digital platforms

Where a particular service cannot reasonably be delivered, Music Gateway may substitute an alternative promotional service of equivalent value at its sole discretion.

7. Fund Management

The Promotion Fund must be used between 1 January 2027 and 31 December 2027.

Quarterly allocations will be reviewed jointly by Music Gateway and the Artist to ensure activity remains aligned with the agreed release strategy.

Music Gateway will monitor expenditure throughout the Programme.

The Artist may request an up-to-date statement showing Promotion Fund usage at any time.

If the Artist:

• becomes unresponsive;
• fails to meet agreed campaign requirements;
• repeatedly delays agreed releases;
• fails to engage with strategic planning; or
• otherwise prevents the effective delivery of the Programme,

Music Gateway reserves the right to suspend or withdraw future allocations.

Any unused Promotion Fund remaining after 31 December 2027 will expire unless otherwise agreed in writing.

8. Terms of Participation

By entering the Programme, applicants agree to:

• Participate in reasonable interviews, photography, video content, case studies and promotional activity relating to the Programme.
• Provide promotional assets within agreed timescales.
• Keep Music Gateway informed of any material changes to their release schedule or career.
• Cooperate with Music Gateway throughout the Programme.

Applicants confirm they have all necessary rights to the music and materials submitted.

Applicants retain ownership of all intellectual property submitted.

By entering, applicants grant Music Gateway a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use submitted music, photographs, artist names, logos and promotional materials solely for administering and promoting the Programme.

9. Publicity

The shortlisted artists and winners agree that Music Gateway may use their name, image, biography, submitted materials and campaign content for promotional purposes.

The winner also agrees to participate in reasonable promotional activity following completion of the Programme, including interviews, testimonials, case studies and success stories.

10. Limitation of Liability

Music Gateway will deliver its services using reasonable care and skill.

However, Music Gateway does not guarantee:

• commercial success;
• streaming numbers;
• playlist placements;
• press coverage;
• audience growth;
• record deals;
• publishing agreements;
• sync placements; or
• any other commercial outcome,

except for any minimum campaign guarantees expressly agreed in writing as part of an individual promotional campaign.

The success of promotional activity depends upon numerous factors outside Music Gateway’s control, including artist engagement, audience response, platform algorithms and market conditions.

11. Confidentiality

Music Gateway will treat any unreleased music, marketing plans and confidential information supplied by applicants as confidential.

Applicants agree not to disclose confidential information relating to Music Gateway’s strategy, campaigns or commercial information without prior written consent.

12. Limitations & Conditions

Music Gateway reserves the right to:

• amend or withdraw the Programme at any time;
• amend these Terms and Conditions where reasonably necessary;
• verify eligibility;
• disqualify any applicant who provides false or misleading information;
• disqualify any applicant whose conduct is inconsistent with the values or reputation of the Programme.

Music Gateway’s decisions relating to eligibility, judging, fund allocation and Programme administration are final.

No correspondence will be entered into regarding judging decisions.

13. Data Usage

By entering the Programme, applicants consent to the collection and processing of their personal information, including name, email address, country, telephone number and any supporting application materials.

This information will be used for:

• administering the Programme;
• communicating with applicants;
• judging the Programme;
• marketing communications (where consent has been provided); and
• purposes described within Music Gateway’s Privacy Policy.

14. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Any disputes arising in connection with the Programme shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

15. Contact

For any questions regarding the Programme, please contact:

[email protected]