Glasgow to Host PITCH Scotland 2026, Bringing 100 Artists and Industry Leaders to a Three-Day Showcase

PITCH Scotland has announced the line‑up for its 2026 edition, scheduled to run from 2 to 4 September in Glasgow. The event, now in its fifth year, will feature 100 artists and speakers across four venues – Drygate Brewery, McChuills Music Bar, MOXY Merchant City and BLOC+ – and will combine a live showcase festival, a music‑industry conference and a three‑night songwriting camp.

The festival’s programme includes more than 30 emerging acts from Scotland, the wider UK and overseas countries such as Belgium, France, Germany, Spain and Canada. Headliners are Birmingham rapper Kofi Stone, London‑based Jawnino, Glasgow’s own Bloody Shield, producer‑songwriter Kadiata and experimental artist Tony Bontana. Each headline act brings a distinct style: Stone is noted for reflective storytelling and soulful production, Jawnino blends grime, jungle and UK rap, Kadiata fuses hip hop with soul, jazz and electronic elements, and Bontana is known for his “Splayed” sound that mixes manipulated samples and unconventional rhythms.

Kofi Stone’s recent album All The Flowers Have Bloomed has been highlighted by critics for its lyrical depth and production quality. Jawnino first gained attention with the 2019 underground hit “It’s Cold Out” and has since worked with MIKE, Kibo and James Massiah. Bloody Shield has built momentum across the UK and North America, with his latest release Colourz receiving positive reviews. Kadiata’s work is praised for genre‑defying production, while Tony Bontana’s experimental approach has earned him a reputation within the UK underground scene.

PITCH Scotland’s conference component is designed to provide artists of all career stages with industry insight. Workshops, panels and open‑mic sessions allow participants to showcase skills, receive feedback and network with peers and professionals. The event also offers demo‑listening opportunities and facilitates collaborations that can lead to bookings at other festivals or recording projects.

The songwriting camp, running concurrently with the showcase, invites artists to write and record in a collaborative environment. According to the organisers, the camp aims to foster creative exchange and help artists develop material that can be used in future releases or live performances.

The 2026 edition marks a significant expansion for PITCH Scotland. The organisers have increased the number of artists and speakers to 100, the largest roster to date, and have added a dedicated conference and songwriting camp to the festival’s core activities. This growth reflects the event’s growing reputation as a hub for Scottish hip hop and broader music communities to engage with international artists and industry leaders.

Tickets for the event are available through Eventbrite and other ticketing platforms. The festival’s schedule, including specific performance times and conference sessions, will be released closer to the date.

PITCH Scotland 2026 is positioned to strengthen Glasgow’s role as a cultural destination and to provide a platform for emerging artists to connect with established professionals. The combination of live performance, industry education and collaborative songwriting is expected to create new opportunities for participants and to contribute to the broader development of the UK music scene.

The event is scheduled to take place over three days in early September, with the final day featuring a headline performance by Kofi Stone at Drygate Brewery. Organisers have confirmed that all venues will operate under current health and safety guidelines.

The festival’s organisers have not yet announced any additional partnerships or sponsorships beyond the venues listed. Further details regarding the conference agenda and songwriting camp logistics will be provided in the coming weeks.

In summary, PITCH Scotland 2026 will bring together a diverse roster of artists and industry professionals to Glasgow for a three‑day festival, conference and songwriting camp, with the aim of fostering collaboration, development and exposure for emerging talent.