The FAC and University of Hertfordshire expand their Propeller Sessions project to London’s Jazz Cafe
The FAC and the University of Hertfordshire (UH) have announced an extension of their Propeller Sessions, which provides upcoming UK artists with free high-quality, multi-camera video footage of their live performances - all shot, edited and produced at the university’s state-of-the-art studios by students studying Film and Television Production, Music Production, Audio Engineering, and Live Sound degree courses
The initiative has already been utilised by more than 20 of the FAC’s PRO Members - including rising star SOFY, who supported Sabrina Carpenter at Hyde Park in 2025 and recently signed with live booking agency ROAM, and hotly-tipped indie band Balancing Act.
After performing in a live-to-camera shoot with students, all have been provided with high-definition video footage that can be utilised in promotional or marketing campaigns.
Marking a development in partnership, the latest edition of the programme was filmed at London’s legendary Jazz Cafe - with recent Nettwerk signing, Olive Jones, among the participants.
A former awardee of the FAC’s Step Up Fund, Olive’s performance of the song End Of Time can be viewed here.
The track features on her debut album, For Mary, due for release on 13th March 2026, after which Olive embarks on a UK and European tour, including shows at Birmingham Sunflower Lounge (April 7th), Leeds Brudenell Social Club (April 8th), Glasgow SW3 (April 9th), Manchester Deaf Institute (April 10th), Bristol Louisiana (April 22nd), EartH London (April 23rd), Brighton Alphabet (April 24th) and St Peter’s Poole (April 25th).
Artists who participate in a Propeller Session can also access a range of additional facilities at the University of Hertfordshire, including studio time with sound engineer support for mastering or recording, live music video production for pre-recorded tracks, as well as photography, graphic design and other marketing services.
The University, formerly Hatfield Polytechnic, has a long and storied history with live music going back to the 1970s and 1980s where they played host to performances by artists including The Police (captured in the BBC series “Rock Goes To College”), Bob Marley & The Wailers, Pink Floyd, The Kinks. The Specials, Madness, Eurythmics, Peter Gabriel and Orange Juice.
Artists wishing to participate in future Propeller Sessions can register their interest by sending an email to info@thefac.org with links to their music and a subject line of “Propeller Sessions”
Gary Reid, Head of Partnerships & Programmes, Featured Artists Coalition:
“There is a real demand for artists to stake their identity with video footage that can be used on their website, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and other social platforms. However, creating high-quality audio-visual content can be expensive, which is one of the reasons we developed our Propeller Sessions with the University of Hertfordshire.
“Through this initiative we are making video creation accessible to a wider demographic of artists, and at the same time offering final-year students in the university’s School of Creative Arts some real tangible experience of working in the music business. We’ve been delighted to expand that partnership to the Jazz Cafe and look forward to pushing this programme forward in the year ahead. It’s a real win-win situation.”
Stephen Partridge, Dean of the School of Creative Arts, University of Hertfordshire:
“The collaboration between the University of Hertfordshire and the Featured Artists Coalition enables the UK’s best new artists and bands across all genres to receive around £10K worth of production in a day, creating amazing content to promote subsequent releases, gigs, and tours. In tandem, every week during term time the University’s students get to work with the best new artists – a fantastic win-win that we can all celebrate. Having proven the concept, our aim is to heighten the profile of the Propeller Music and broaden distribution - the focus now being on partnering with the right broadcasters and brands. Watch this space.”
The University of Hertfordshire is globally renowned for its Music, Film & Television degree courses and state-of-the art studios.
The university has recently invested £1.2 million in a new sound stage, expanding its already impressive range of film, television and music facilities. These include a second, large dedicated HD broadcast-standard studio, post-production facilities equipped with major industry-standard post-production software, and a leading edge music studio featuring a high-end Neve mixing console, spacious control room and large live room.