A singer-songwriter who studied in Leeds has earned a coveted performance slot at this year’s Glastonbury Festival after impressing in the prestigious Emerging Talent Competition.
The annual contest, which is free to enter, draws thousands of online submissions from across the UK. These are carefully reviewed by an expert panel, with just eight artists selected to perform at the live final, held at Pilton Working Men’s Club. Among them was 27-year-old Mali Hâf from Cardiff, who captivated judges — including festival organisers Michael and Emily Eavis, Glastonbury stage bookers, and key figures from the music industry, with her distinctive sound.
Influenced by artists such as Gwenno, Kate Bush and Björk, Mali Hâf was named one of the runners-up and awarded a £2,500 Talent Development prize by the PRS Foundation, alongside her Glastonbury slot.
Leeds Conservatoire is a leading specialist institution in the UK, renowned for its expert education in music and the performing arts. Its wide-ranging provision includes undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, as well as the Leeds Junior Conservatoire, which supports the development of young musicians and performers.
Speaking about the opportunity to perform at one of the world’s largest outdoor music festivals this summer, Mali Hâf said:
“I’ve made something that feels like a part of me and to get recognised in this way, I can’t explain how much it means. It’s overwhelming in the most wonderful way. Up until now, I’ve only really performed in Wales, mostly singing in Welsh (a minority language). It’s shown me that my voice and my stories might be ready to travel.”
Mali studied Popular Music at Leeds Conservatoire, formerly known as Leeds College of Music — which will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2025. During her time there, being immersed in a diverse and talented community of musicians fuelled her drive to create and explore her artistic identity, something she has continued to develop since graduating.
This year’s Glastonbury Festival is taking place from 25 to 29 June. Headliners are
The 1975, Neil Young and Olivia Rodrigo, with the Sunday legends slot being filled by Rod Stewart.
Find out more about the festival at www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
Visit www.leedsconservatoire.ac.uk for more on Leeds Conservatoire.
Follow @malihahahaf on Instagram.
SoundCloud: Mali Hâf
Mali Hâf continues to captivate audiences with her powerful voice and compelling messages, solidifying her place as a rising star in the music world.
