The City of Kingston is seeking submissions from local musicians, groups and organizations that would like to have their music featured on two new YGK Music 2021 playlists. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Friday, March 19.

“YGK Music celebrates Kingston as a music city and features and promotes local musicians through playlists that can be heard by our city’s residents and visitors,” said Danika Lochhead, Manager, Arts and Sector Development. “Following the success of the YGK Music Pilot Project, we are expanding the program by creating new playlists annually that will all become part of the soundtrack of Kingston.”

The inaugural YGK Music playlists attracted over 3,500 plays through SoundCloud and it is estimated that close to 150,000 people experienced an initial exposure to YGK Music through the City of Kingston’s call waiting system. YGK Music was also featured as part of the Love Kingston Marketplace in 2020 with the work of local musicians being broadcast in Springer Market Square and YGK Music artists being featured as part of live performances in the Square as well.

The call for submissions, evaluation criteria and the application form can be found at on the City website. YGK Music 2021 submissions will be evaluated by a Local Music Working Group consisting of members with music expertise in Kingston. Each musician, group or organization featured will receive an honourarium of $150 for use of their selected track. The playlists are expected to go live by the end of May 2021.

About the playlists

The first playlist, Kingston Sounds, will feature 20 tracks by local musicians and help residents and visitors alike discover the strength and diversity of Kingston’s music scene. This playlist will feature rock, pop, dance, electronic, hip-hop and indie, classical jazz, blues, folk and world music genres. The second playlist, Music on Hold will offer local music on the City’s phone system and will feature 10 jazz and classical instrumental tracks created by Kingston musicians.

YGK Music is an annual City program designed to promote local music and musicians through curated playlists to be made available online on the City of Kingston website and Visit Kingston website, through the City’s call waiting system, and through various City-owned properties, where appropriate. YGK Music first launched as a pilot project in September 2019.

Investing in the Music Sector

In addition to YGK Music, the City will also be pursuing strategic work to support the music sector more broadly. This is in response to Council’s Strategic Priorities related to economic development that includes fostering innovative arts, culture, and social enterprises. A Creative Industries Profile Sector Report will be submitted to Council for consideration in April 2021 and work will begin later in 2021 to develop a music strategy specific to Kingston.

Posted: May 3, 2023 Originally Published: Feb 18, 2021