PPL Momentum Accelerator Grantee Dilettante crowned Casio Sessions 2024 champion
- Joint winners Dilettante and Crispin Burton chosen at thrilling live final at 91 Living Room jazz bar on Brick Lane
- Both winners received a PX-S7000HM digital piano, one of Casio’s premium models worth £2,249, plus an exclusive studio mastering session and their winning song pressed to vinyl records – courtesy of Breed Media
PPL Momentum Accelerator Grantee singer-songwriter Dilettante has been crowned the victorious winner of Casio Music UK’s highly renowned ‘Casio Sessions’ competition, alongside another hugely talented singer-songwriter Crispin Burton.
Taking place at Brick Lane’s stylish jazz bar, Ninety One Living Room, 15 singer-songwriters performed original compositions on Casio’s flagship digital piano. The finalists played in front of judges and a captivated live audience, bidding to win an incredible prize – an award-winning, Casio PX-S7000 digital piano worth £2,249, plus an exclusive mastering studio session for their winning song, with the song then pressed to 250 7” vinyl records – courtesy of competition partner Breed Media.
For the second year in a row, Casio Sessions received an overwhelming number of entrants, so the selection of the final 15 was no easy task, let alone the decision of who had won. The judges on the night, Neil Evans Head of EMI, Dan Henry Field Sales Manager and Emsy Petersen EMI Marketing Specialist all of Casio Music UK, and Lisa Edwards, Head of Production at Breed Media were so blown away by the talent on display that once again, the award had to be split between two. The level of creativity and skill was truly inspiring, as each finalist showcased their abilities as both a performer and a gifted composer.
After much deliberation, Dilettante (aka Francesca Pidgeon) and Crispin Burton will each receive the top prize, as two very different, yet equally impressive performers.
Casio Sessions 2024 winner and PPL Momentum supported Grantee Dilettante, said: “It’s very unexpected but incredibly exciting! Thanks so much to Casio and Breed – I can’t wait to get hold of the vinyl and have the PX-S7000 in the studio as it’s so nice to play. A big shout out to all the other finalists for their performances too!”
Casio Music UK is committed to championing grassroots musical talent and is delighted to elevate the careers of such inspiring musicians.
Neil Evans, Head of Casio EMI, said: “A massive congratulations to Crispin and Dilettante. Their performances captivated the audience and demonstrated high levels of skill, so we just had to split the award! We are delighted to award them both a PX-S7000, the exclusive mastering session and vinyl run. Tonight we watched fifteen amazing performances, showcasing the depth of talent that is out there. Casio Music is proud to give a platform to such inspiring individuals and Sessions is testament to how much talent is out there.”
Lisa Edwards, Group Head of Production at Breed Media, added: “Wow, what a fantastic evening! A huge thank you to Casio Music for letting us be part of such a special event. Choosing Crispin and Dilettante was no easy task, so I want to congratulate all the musicians who performed tonight as I was well and truly blown away by the talent on show.”
As well as taking home an award winning Casio PX-S7000 digital piano, Crispin and Dilettante will receive a mastering session at a recording studio. Their music will then be pressed to 250 7” vinyl records, with artwork, provided by competition partner, Breed Media, a physical music manufacturing and vinyl pressing platform which specialises in supporting emerging artists. All 15 finalists will receive content captured from the Casio Sessions grand final including professional photography and videography of their performances. A full list of finalists can be found here.
Casio Sessions was set up for singer-songwriters who play piano to enter their original compositions, in a chance to play at the final event and win the top prize. The fifteen finalists all performed their original songs on a Casio PX-S7000, a multi-award winning digital piano that sets a new standard in digital pianos with a high specification, which includes a newly developed hybrid wooden hammer keyboard and a contemporary look. The ability to directly plug in a microphone and make use of the on-board vocal effects made this the ideal performance instrument for the finalists. For more information, head to casio.co.uk/emi. For more information on Breed Media visit breedmedia.co.uk.
Photo by Neil Ferry, courtesy of DawBell