NEST
NEST — Music Incubator is a program designed to empower music creators and professionals from the Middle East and North Africa in building, growing, and sustaining successful careers within the music industry. Our mission is to provide artists and professionals with personalized mentorship, production support, live performance opportunities, and networking within the global industry. NEST thrives on equipping its participants with essential knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of the rapidly evolving global music landscape.
NEST serves as a social hub, connecting music creators with industry professionals worldwide.
Join the NEST community to stay connected, get updates, and access all open calls and opportunities
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NEST is for music creators of all genres and backgrounds from the MENA region, whether they are solo artists or bands/collectives. NEST welcomes both emerging artists and established performers looking to grow and develop their careers. It is a diverse space for artists eager to collaborate and connect with others, and who are dedicated to advancing their careers in music.
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At NEST, we place a strong emphasis on providing a comprehensive understanding of the global music ecosystem while nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset among our artists and creators. NEST’s program empowers artists to confidently navigate the industry and take the lead in shaping their own careers. Additionally, NEST fosters the importance of building a solid music community that supports its members and creates valuable networks among musicians and industry professionals, both locally and globally.
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NEST offers comprehensive support throughout its different phases, including capacity building to strengthen skills, educational and creative knowledge through workshops and mentorship, as well as networking opportunities with industry professionals and peers alike. Participants also benefit from production and showcasing support, providing them with spaces and assistance for creating and presenting their work. Additionally, NEST provides long-term incubation to ensure sustained growth, with ongoing resources and guidance for continuous development.
Mentorship
Education
Creative Production
Community
Technical Assistance
Events & Exposure
Mentorship Education Creative Production Community Technical Assistance Events & Exposure
How is NEST designed?
NEST is implemented through three distinct phases, allowing participants to focus on one area at a time and assess their development and eligibility for each stage.
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A 4 to 8-week deep dive into the music industry, led by international and local experts. Learn about live music, recorded music, and publishing, gaining a global perspective to navigate your music career.
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Artists join a practical writing camp where they go through the full process of music production. With guidance from mentors, supervisors, and engineers, participants develop, produce, and refine their work to create final tracks ready for release. SoundLab is also an opportunity to showcase new music, gain live training, and connect with industry professionals. An external committee will review the work and select artists to move forward to the next phase.
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In this final phase, artists receive strategic support and mentorship. They will pitch their music to diverse music labels and industry professionals to secure deals. Artists will have the freedom to select deals that align with their vision and career goals.
NEST (Palestine) Cycle Two (2024—2025)
The first phase of NEST Palestine’s second cycle has been completed! Over the past few months, 41 multi-genre Palestinian music creators, selected from over 100 initial applications, attended 18 online masterclasses. We invited them to get an understanding on all areas of the music industry and their engagement was an absolute reward. We're now headed to the second phase of the program.
Click below to browse NEST Palestine
Kicking Off NEST Palestine in its Second Cycle
“NEST represents the diversity of the MENA music scene. What these young musicians have in common is their thirst for knowledge in all aspects of the music field: recording, live, tech, and first and foremost the awareness of their rights. I was proud to share my experience with such a talented and promising generation!”
Speaker: Habib Achour from Sacem
“Many thanks for all your effort in the NEST program and for the presentations. Truly valuable.”
Artist Participant: Faris Ishaq
