ON THE PULSE
CUPRA' s Talent Identification Programme returns in 2025, offering a creative opportunity for aspiring electronic music artists and DJs.
ABOUT
CONCEPT
'On The Pulse' is CUPRA's talent identification programme which aims to shine a light on emerging artists across the Republic of Ireland and create new unique experiences for fans.
'On The Pulse' strives to showcase and nurture the pool of up-and-coming music artists in Ireland, providing a platform to increase their fanbase and support to grow and develop their artistic careers.
Aspiring artists have the opportunity to showcase their skills in a 30-minute mix, and 6 finalists will shortlisted to perform at a live final in Dublin City Centre. The winner will receive a slot at the 2025 edition of Beyond the Pale Music & Arts Festival in Glendalough, Co. Wicklow, and a €2,500 cash prize to further develop their artistic career.
PRIZE
Perform a DJ Set at Beyond The Pale 2025
€2,500 Cash Prize for Artist Development
For more information on the entry requirements, please see below.
Applications close April 13th at midnight.
Criteria to enter
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Entrants must be a resident of the Republic of Ireland.
Entrants must be over 18 years of age.
Entrants must not have previously performed at an Irish music festival.
Entries can be any style of electronic music. Please note judges will take the genre & style of music performed at Beyond The Pale Festival into consideration.
Entry mixes must be 320kbps & mp3 format.
30-minute mix maximum - Entries must be submitted via SoundCloud link (hidden or public).
If shortlisted, finalists are responsible for organising travel to the live final in Dublin City Centre, and to Beyond the Pale festival to perform if successful.
Entrants must submit a full application to enter successfully.
JUDGING
Applications will be assessed by a team of industry professionals, including a representative from Beyond The Pale.
Competition closes April 13th 2025.
We welcome applicants from across the Republic of Ireland, and we particularly encourage applications from minority groups and individuals who are underrepresented throughout the industry.
Prize
Prize
6 finalists have been shortlisted to perform at the live final in Dublin City.
The winner will receive a slot at Beyond The Pale Music & Arts Festival 2025 and a €2,500 cash prize.
6 finalists have been shortlisted to perform at the live final in Dublin City.
The winner will receive a slot at Beyond The Pale Music & Arts Festival 2025 and a €2,500 cash prize.
On The Pulse: 2024 Winner
Cian Bolger
Cian Bolger
Specializing in visual media, photography, and music videos, Cian began DJing for fun during the COVID-19 pandemic and played his first gig in 2021.
Over the past three years, he has performed in various clubs around Dublin, showcasing his talent and passion for music. Additionally, he co-runs a collective called Lips2Ears with two others, dedicated to showcasing Irish musical talent.
Specializing in visual media, photography, and music videos, Cian began DJing for fun during the COVID-19 pandemic and played his first gig in 2021.
Over the past three years, he has performed in various clubs around Dublin, showcasing his talent and passion for music. Additionally, he co-runs a collective called Lips2Ears with two others, dedicated to showcasing Irish musical talent.
On The Pulse: 2025 Finalists
Bláthnaid O'Toole
Bláthnaid O'Toole
Bláthnaid is a Kerry native now based in Dublin. She is mostly known as a filmmaker and camera operator, often capturing the nightlife and festival scene across Ireland. Now, she’s stepping out from behind the camera and in front of the decks, following her passion for electronic music and making her debut gig at Tengu as part of the Cupra DJ Competition.
Bláthnaid is a Kerry native now based in Dublin. She is mostly known as a filmmaker and camera operator, often capturing the nightlife and festival scene across Ireland. Now, she’s stepping out from behind the camera and in front of the decks, following her passion for electronic music and making her debut gig at Tengu as part of the Cupra DJ Competition.
STITCH
STITCH
STITCH is an electronic multi-genre infused artist known for his taste in the underground music scene with his unique blend of leftfield-bass, wubs, and funky elements in both his music selection when DJ’ing & also in his own productions.
STITCH is an electronic multi-genre infused artist known for his taste in the underground music scene with his unique blend of leftfield-bass, wubs, and funky elements in both his music selection when DJ’ing & also in his own productions.
OSAÈMA
OSAÈMA
Emmanuel, aka OSAÈMA—born and raised in Rome with Nigerian roots. Music was the heartbeat of their home, especially tribal and traditional African sounds. That rhythm shaped them.
His sound is a crossroads of cultures: the deep pulse of African heritage meets the energy of European club life. Each set is an emotional trip—raw, soulful, and unifying. "I don’t just play music—I tell my story through sound."
Emmanuel, aka OSAÈMA—born and raised in Rome with Nigerian roots. Music was the heartbeat of their home, especially tribal and traditional African sounds. That rhythm shaped them.
His sound is a crossroads of cultures: the deep pulse of African heritage meets the energy of European club life. Each set is an emotional trip—raw, soulful, and unifying. "I don’t just play music—I tell my story through sound."
Kiva
Kiva
Kiva is from Dundalk and new to the scene in Dublin. Inspired by doof culture after living in Melbourne for years, she brought home skills in mixing breaks, trance, electro and progressive sounds. She incorporates hypnotic techno throughout her sets to create a meditative space for music exploration.
Kiva is from Dundalk and new to the scene in Dublin. Inspired by doof culture after living in Melbourne for years, she brought home skills in mixing breaks, trance, electro and progressive sounds. She incorporates hypnotic techno throughout her sets to create a meditative space for music exploration.
Ryan Smyth
Ryan Smyth
Ryan is a 20-year-old up-and-coming DJ hailing from Dublin, Ireland. With a deep-rooted passion for music that began in his teenage years, Ryan has been steadily carving out his place in the electronic music scene. Influenced by artists like Chris Stussy, Kettama, Kerri Chandler, and MK, Ryan blends underground deep house, euphoric rave, and high-energy techno. Shaped by 90s tracks and his parents’ disco and trance records, his sets offer a fresh yet nostalgic sound that bridges eras and genres.
Ryan is a 20-year-old up-and-coming DJ hailing from Dublin, Ireland. With a deep-rooted passion for music that began in his teenage years, Ryan has been steadily carving out his place in the electronic music scene. Influenced by artists like Chris Stussy, Kettama, Kerri Chandler, and MK, Ryan blends underground deep house, euphoric rave, and high-energy techno. Shaped by 90s tracks and his parents’ disco and trance records, his sets offer a fresh yet nostalgic sound that bridges eras and genres.
Kipunji
Kipunji
After having spent the last few years touring and recording as a multi-instrumentalist with Clannad & Moya Brennan, producer, songwriter and DJ, Kipunji (real name Paul Jarvis) has begun to unveil his passion project. Drawing influences from the harmonious folk & new age world he grew up in and being later inspired by the likes of Bonobo, Maribou State & Kiasmos, his music has resulted in a warm, melodic-rich and uplifting dance space.
After having spent the last few years touring and recording as a multi-instrumentalist with Clannad & Moya Brennan, producer, songwriter and DJ, Kipunji (real name Paul Jarvis) has begun to unveil his passion project. Drawing influences from the harmonious folk & new age world he grew up in and being later inspired by the likes of Bonobo, Maribou State & Kiasmos, his music has resulted in a warm, melodic-rich and uplifting dance space.
The JUDGES
Efa O'Neill
DJ and Founder of 'Out of Space' - a Party and Radio Show on Dublin Digital Radio.
Efa O'Neill is an Irish DJ known for her eclectic sets that seamlessly blend a range of genres and tempos, crafting atmospheric dance floor moments. A prominent figure in the Irish and dance music scene, she has performed at renowned venues and festivals across Ireland and Europe.
Alongside her DJ career, she continues to champion emerging talent through her Dublin Digital Radio show and mix series, 'Out of Space'.
Aero (Max Heyraud)
Writer for Four Four Magazine, DJ & Producer
Hailing from Dublin, Aero has rapidly established himself as one of Ireland’s most vital techno artists, carving out a distinct identity grounded in the ethos of purist techno. Supported by figures such as Amelie Lens, Freddy K, and Richie Hawtin, Aero’s music speaks to both the genre’s roots and its forward trajectory.
As a DJ, Aero’s adaptability is his hallmark. Whether commanding a warehouse with relentless multi-deck intensity or carefully calibrating selections for an opening set in a low-lit basement, his control of atmosphere and energy is what sets him apart. With an extensive knowledge of techno’s past and present, Aero is as much a selector as he is a craftsman, positioning himself at the forefront of Ireland’s contemporary techno scene.
Ste Flynn
Progressive & Melodic House Producer/DJ, Resident for Melodic Dublin and Representative from Beyond The Pale
A Progressive & Melodic House Producer/DJ hailing from Dublin, Ireland, Ste Flynn is a resident DJ at Melodic Dublin. His sound has brought him from clubs & festivals across Ireland to the main room of Kater Blau and Renate in Berlin, as well as sharing the stage with influential artists such as Sasha, John Digweed, Guy J, Lee Burridge, Nick Warren, Âme, Max Cooper and many more.
Ste has released music on labels such as Balkan Connection, IN2U and RF Trax with support from artists including Nick Warren, Antrim and more. The rich melodies in his music are influenced by a variety of artists ranging from Aphex Twin to Boards of Canada to Guy J. As a hardware enthusiast, he likes to experiment with machines by producing different genres, from crafting Hip Hop samples to 909/303 Detroit sequencing to Progressive House chords & melodies.
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APPLICATION FORM
Applications are now closed