'I feel like I'm supposed to be in this space'

Laura Dia will play her last show as part of the programme at Forwards

A Bristol singer said she has gained more confidence after getting the opportunity to play on festival stages.

Laura Dia will give her last performance as part of the Next Level programme, run by Team Love and Bristol Beacon, at Forwards this weekend.

The programme gives young musicians a chance to play on festival stages including Love Saves the Day, Harbour Fest and Forwards.

"The whole process has helped me be more like myself on stage and feel like I'm supposed to be in this space," Ms Dia said.

Laura Dia said the programme gave her more confidence

Team Love said it started the programme to support local talent, along with Big Team and the Bristol Beacon.

The musicians went on a festival tour over the summer, playing at Love Saves the Day, Glastonbury, Bristol Harbour Fest, Boomtown and finally completing the tour at Forwards, which takes place from 31 August to 1 September.

Ms Dia said the tour was "an amazing experience".

"Being treated like a real professional and having a dressing room was a great first experience," she added. "I feel like I've grown in confidence.

Jazpa One said Ms Dia had come "a long way"

"My feelings have changed over this process. Before it was intense nervousness, now I'm just excited to have fun and be free on stage."

She said the programme has helped her get more involved in the Bristol music scene, even after it finishes.

"I have a place in the Bristol music scene," she said. "The reception I received for my music means I can definitely showcase my music in Bristol, I don't have to go off to London.

"I'm super grateful for the experience and for the opportunity to have access to spaces like this."

She added she was "sad" the tour was now ending at Forwards.

'Smashed it'

Jazpa One, assistant producer and outreach manager for Big Team which runs the Next Level programme, said Ms Dia had "come a long way".

"In the early stages she was finding her confidence - her talent was already there, but it was her finding the confidence within herself," he said.

"She has made massive steps in getting opportunities not only with Team Love but outside of it. They all smashed it.

"Watching them not only learn about the industry itself but apply the skills they learned to their career, the way they present themselves and socialise, is what I found personally most rewarding.

"They might come from backgrounds that don't normally allows them access to these spaces.

"For them to get on stage and wow the audience, that moment is why I'm invested in supporting them as artists."

He added he was looking forward to welcoming the next cohort in 2025.