Roundhouse Rising is the emerging talent arm of the Roundhouse, dedicated to finding and developing new and up-and-coming artists by providing them with performance and learning opportunities.

Launched during the BBC Electric Proms in 2009 under the banner ‘Emerging Proms’, the likes of Jamie Woon, Wretch 32, Stornoway, Maverick Sabre and Unicorn Kid took to our stage and kick-started a multi-venue festival. It gradually morphed into ‘Roundhouse Rising’, which in 2011 became a 6-day festival of live music, creative projects, workshops and debates, that included up-and-coming artists such as Sampha, DELS, United Vibrations, Beaty Heart and RoxXxan.

In August 2011, we took Roundhouse Rising to Underage Festival, hosting our very own stage of emerging talent – O Children headlined a fantastic bill that included Maverick Sabre, Mz Bratt and Hella Better Dancer. We’re pleased to say we’ll be returning to Underage in 2012 as a major partner and will be looking for exciting new artists to take part. More info to follow…

In February 2012, Roundhouse Rising festival saw over 30 up-and-coming artists join a 10-day event aimed at inspiring the next generation of creative musicians. The History of Apple Pie, Lady Leshurr, Lovelle and Chapter 24 were just some of the artists involved. Rising took on a distinctly international feel with a new Nordic music night, partnerships with the Museum of Modern Art in Medellin, Colombia as well as performances from Congolese sensation Tres B and the Ethiopian desert blues of Krar Collective. 

Roundhouse Rising is expanding again, with the introduction of monthly ‘Rising Presents…’ events, which will be exclusively programmed by young promoters booking the best new artists. Roundhouse’s Music Co-ordinator, Oli Kluczewski explains:

"Roundhouse Rising is more than just an annual festival of the best new music; its a movement: helping to advise, inspire and platform the greatest emerging artists year round. Our monthly events demonstrate our commitment to this and having each month programmed by young aspiring programmers makes it even more exciting."

Each year the Roundhouse works with over 3,000 11-25 year old, eanabling them to realise their creative potential; and offers audiences of all ages new and extraordinary experiences in live music, circus, theatre and new media.