Hen Hoose has spent a long time fostering a space for female and non-binary musical talent to create, collaborate and skill-share. Led by CEO Tamara Schlesinger, this vintage year for Hen Hoose saw the opening of the Beldina Odenyo Bursary, intended to provide mentorship opportunities for an unrecorded artist. With arts funding in sharp decline, this was a fountain in a desert and a worthy honour to the performer who bears its name (Odenyo passed away in 2021).

Showcasing the depth of the collective’s talents was EP2, featuring the likes of Karine Polwart, Kathryn Williams, Amunda, Carla J Easton and Shears. With a trim 18-minute runtime, it’s nonetheless a worthy calling card for Hen Hoose, weaving together folk, pop, R&B, dance, electronica and indie rock with a dynamic verve.

Whether you watched Since Yesterday: The Untold Story Of Scotland’s Girl Bands, witnessed Elisabeth Elektra prowl the stage at Big City, delved into Siobhan Wilson’s Flowercore album series, or enjoyed the SAY Award-nominated Kathryn Williams and Withered Hand album Willson Williams, you’ll have encountered Hen Hoose’s enriching influence. Schlesinger has founded a collective that gets more creatively fertile with every passing year.

Find out who hit the third spot on our list. 
Look at the fifth spot on our list. 

Main picture: Curse These Eyes.