Artists on track with Momentum funding

A Tees Valley-based music funding scheme is helping emerging artists take the next step with new recordings, tours and career development.

Darlington singer-songwriter Robyn Errico and Teesside folk duo Smith & Liddle have secured four-figure grants through the PPL Momentum Music Fund, which supports artists at a key stage of growth as they build professional teams and grow their fanbases.

Robyn received £4700 from the Momentum Accelerator Fund, giving her space to focus on creating new music and raising her profile following support from BBC Radio 6 Music.

She said: “It’s expensive to record and promote – and it doesn’t make you much money back, especially when you’re at the stage I’m at.

“I was at a point where I couldn’t record anything else if I didn’t get funding, so this has been a lifeline.”

“I’m trying to go full-time as a musician – which involves a lot of teaching and gigging for other people. 

“While those things are great and are part of the lifestyle I like and have chosen, they don’t make loads of money to help save for my next album.

“This offers breathing space and allows you to carry on, keeps your finger on the pulse and, as the name suggests, keeps your momentum going.”

Smith & Liddle, made up of Elizabeth Smith and Billy Liddle, will use the funding to record their second album after the success of their debut LP Songs For the Desert. 

The duo have recently completed a European tour, including a sold-out show at Amsterdam’s Paradiso, and are preparing for further international opportunities with a trip to Nashville, Tennessee. 

A UK tour is also planned for May.

Elizabeth said: “We were awarded £5000 – it’s amazing. 

“We’re going to put it towards our next album – promoting it and marketing it, and this has really allowed to us focus on a lot of other things.

“We were having to put extra work in to be able to save up to record the next album.

“We’re writing a lot of new music but then had no time, or the money, to go in the studio – so this has really helped us.

“Before we knew the funding was coming, we were worried we weren’t going to have the same quality as before.

“But with the funding, we’re able to keep the high standard in our recording – which is amazing.”

Billy added: “We got the best mixing engineer to mix and master the first album – and we worked extremely hard to pay for that.

“It’s mint to know we can use the same process again.”

The PPL Momentum Music Fund, backed locally by the Tees Valley Combined Authority alongside Generator and Sonic Futures, provides grants of up to £5000 for artists ready to progress to the next stage of their careers.

Additional support has also been awarded to Marketplace, Risco and Grace Stubbings for projects extending into 2026.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen added: “We want our local talent not just to succeed, but to truly thrive – building careers here and making waves right across the UK and beyond.

“We’ve got incredible musicians coming out of our towns who deserve the chance to record, tour and promote their work at the highest level.

“By backing funds like this, we’re helping ensure they can keep that momentum going, reach new audiences and show that world class music is being made right here in our region.”

Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, Tees Valley Combined Authority cabinet member for creative place and leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, added: “Our creative people are one of our greatest strengths and it’s so important we continue to nurture and champion them. 

“Support like this gives artists the confidence and practical backing to develop their craft, retain high production standards and expand their reach into new markets.

“When our musicians perform in Liverpool, Amsterdam or Nashville, they are flying the flag for the creative powerhouse that is the Tees Valley.”

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