AMPLIFI

The Queen's Hall presents Season 5 of our gig series showcasing the sounds of modern Scotland.

With artists hand-picked by guest curators Arusa Qureshi and Halina Rifai of We Are Here Scotland - staged in our intimate performance space - AMPLIFI presents an exciting opportunity to see new and rising artists in a setting designed to amplify their voices and put them centre stage.

Performers

Pillz The Energizer

Pillz The Energizer  is a UK-based Nigerian Afrobeats artist making waves across Scotland, particularly in Edinburgh. Known for his vibrant fusion of Afrobeats and amapiano  — delivered in both Yoruba and pidgin English — Pillz brings the energy of Lagos to every performance. 

In December 2024, Pillz released Interloper, a bold, cross-cultural project exploring migration, identity, and growth, featuring standout tracks like Hosanna, Henny, Peppermint, and Bahamas. With over 100K streams across platforms, the project solidified his position as one of the most exciting Afrobeats voices in the UK. 

AKA Prince

Glasgow rapper A.K.A Prince creates soundtracks for the overthinkers, using spaced out production to relate to the alienated. Combining captivating lyricism with psychedelic melodies, A.K.A Prince aims to create an unforgettable experience with his listeners.  

Ayisha

Aiysha is a rising star in Scotland's vibrant music scene, a soulful voice emerging from the granite streets of Aberdeen. With jazz and soul coursing through her veins, this young singer-songwriter crafts melodies that feel both timeless and fresh. Her original compositions blend traditional jazz influences with contemporary soul sensibilities, creating a sound that's distinctively her own.  

Curators:

Arusa Qureshi is an award-winning writer, editor and speaker with a passion for music, diversity and accessibility within arts and culture. Her book about women in UK hip hop, ‘Flip the Script’, is out now via 404 Ink. She has bylines in The Guardian, NME, Clash, Time Out, The Forty-Five and The Scotsman.

Halina Rifai is a podcast producer, music writer, PR & digital marketer. She founded music site Podcart in 2009 and went on to become a podcast producer, working with the likes of The Big Light, The Ferret, Mental Health Foundation, Fringe of Colour and many more.  Podcasts she has worked on and continue to work on include Sheku Bayoh: The Inquiry and A Sonic Hug. Halina is Communications Manager for We Are Here Scotland – A space aimed at supporting and raising the voices of Black People and People of Colour creatives across Scotland.

Supported by Creative Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council.

Winner of the Creative Edinburgh 'Inclusion' Award.

Presented by The Queen’s Hall and We Are Here Scotland

Supported by