Emma Taylor Presents The Candlelit Sessions

A beautifully intimate evening featuring a collection of Manchester's best emerging singer-songwriters, starring Olivia Diaferia with support from Sophia Veraz, Lydia Prettyman, Abigail Laker and, introducing the night, Emma Taylor.

Olivia Diaferia's stunning voice and magnetic band are flawlessly captivating and one to remember as she is predicted to have a promising future in the UK's music scene. Combining genres of soft jazz, RnB and pop to cultivate her distinct sound, reminiscent of Erykah Badu and Hiatus Kaiyote, Olivia's voice will inevitably make you fall in love with her sound and her bands electric on stage performances.

With songwriting prolificacy well beyond her years, Sophia Veraz is one to watch out for in the new UK's alt-pop scene. Fusing beautifully introspective lyrics about gender and adolescence with a Californian alt-pop sound, her music speaks volumes to anyone who listens. Sophia's debut single, 'Stop Thinking About It', released on the 28th July this year has been featured on numerous major spotify curated playlists including New Music Friday and New Pop UK, she is without a doubt one to look out for.

Inspired by Amy Whinehouse , Lydia Prettyman's angelic voice is one you will avoidably fall in love with. Her music can be described as intricate lyrics which roll into a beautifully soft yet gritty vocal and indie melodic ideas blended into jazz chords with a soulful influence. Lydia has built a strong fanbase since her initial releases and is set for a promising future.

Abigail uses music as a way to navigate the heavy weight of growing up in a world that forces you to do so far too quickly, and yet never at all. Her poetic lyrics paired with folk inspired melodies will have you humming tunes like 'Jupiter Girl' to yourself for weeks.

Last, but certainly not least, our host of the evening Emma Taylor. Drawing upon an eclectic mix of influences, from soulful musicians such as Stevie Wonder and Lianne La Havas, to singer songwriters, namely Matilda Mann and Lizzy McAlpine, she channels raw introspective lyricism wrapped in heartbreak and nostalgia that will captivate any audience.

This year, Emma has been a force in the Manchester music scene, organising events in which she brings together women in the music industry to perform and support each other.

The Candlelit Sessions are just one of a series of innovative new events created in the Manchester scene, bringing together the most exciting underground and emerging talent within highly curated themed events.