12 Points seeks emerging jazz acts to represent Ireland at 2018 festival in The Sugar Club

Presenting “The freshest, hottest sounds in jazz and contemporary experimental music” (The Irish Times) 12 Points is on the hunt for 12 of the best and brightest acts from across Europe to perform at the 4-day festival in September 2018. Artists are programmed through an open-call with Friday 30th March as the deadline for the online application process via 12points.ie

Produced and programmed by Dublin based Improvised Music Company (IMC), 12 Points is uniquely nomadic - alternating between Dublin and other vibrant young European cities. For the 2018 edition IMC are delighted to return to Dublin and partner with The Sugar Club, one of Ireland’s most forward thinking and vibrant venues for jazz, urban and ethnic music.

Recent ‘away’ editions for 12 Points include Aarhus, Denmark in 2017 and San Sebastián, Spain in 2016. In each case,12 Points was selected as part of the European Capital of Culture programming; as the festival perfectly encapsulates the collaborative energy of the EU.

Winner of the inaugural award for ‘Adventurous Programming’ from Europe Jazz Network in 2012, 12 Points is uniquely innovative in its approach to uncovering the hottest new sounds in jazz from all corners of Europe, and operates an open call policy for artists to apply via www.12points.ie. Over 600 emerging professionals have performed at 12 Points since 2007, the festival seen as a ‘mezzanine’ for promising acts on their way to the next level in their careers.

In 2017 12 Points was also honoured by being selected by the prestigious EFA (European Festivals Association) as an ‘EFFE Laureate Festival’ - one of just 26 European festivals, and the only Irish-based one, selected out of 715 EFFE Label recipients for their exemplary work.

Over the last 10 years, 12 Points has become an important platform for emerging European jazz talent, and a fantastic resource for some of Europe’s top jazz festival bookers and music media to find exciting new talent; “An important source for programmers and other professionals.” - Frank Bolder, North Sea Jazz Festival

IMC are on the lookout for emerging jazz talent to represent Ireland at 12 Points 2018. Past festival programmes have included Irish acts such as Alarmist, Big Spoon, OKO, RedivideR, Lauren Kinsella’s Thought-Fox and Umbra.

Further information on submission guidelines and to apply www.12points.ie

Closing Date for Submissions midnight on Friday 30th March 2018

12 Points festival 2018: 5-8th September, The Sugar Club, Dublin 2

Full Programme announced May 2018