2 May 2025
- Tom Odell: “The Roundhouse is doing such important work in making things happen for young people, while giving artists like me space to create something really unique.”
- Brand new festival presented 30 shows in April across the entire iconic Roundhouse site
- World-renowned artists took to the stage in a boundary-pushing programme of music, spoken word, club nights, installations, theatre, podcasts and more
- Over 450 young people aged 18–25 took part both on stage and behind the scenes
- Over 1,000 dedicated £5 tickets sold to 30s and under in a commitment to affordability and accessibility
The inaugural Roundhouse Three Sixty festival has drawn to a close after a phenomenal month-long celebration of music and culture in the heart of Camden. Across April, Roundhouse welcomed world-renowned artists and vital new voices alike, with unforgettable performances from Corinne Bailey Rae, Tom Odell, Munya Chawawa, SHERELLE, Sona Jobarteh, Jack Rooke, National Youth Orchestra, Self Esteem, MNEK, Kojey Radical and many more. Performances were powered by the energy of young people including Roundhouse’s Resident Artists, often sharing the stage and collaborating with world-class talent, shaping a programme that felt fresh, fearless and distinct.
Built to celebrate music and culture and the work of the Roundhouse in the widest possible sense, the Festival also welcomed partners and creative collaborators who also champion the creativity of young people and future generations. The Studio Theatre became a hub for Daniel Kaluuya’s youth theatre company Centre 59 and Roundhouse Resident Artists and collectives to showcase their work to festival crowds. Young people were central behind the scenes too – working across production, digital and broadcast, with the Roundhouse’s Behind the Lens programme recording several events including the livestream of the 20th Roundhouse Poetry Slam final.
Roundhouse Three Sixty was a full-circle moment for many artists, with alumni like Jack Rooke and Caleb Femi returning to the venue that helped launch their careers. With a striking visual identity – We Are All Dreamers – crafted by acclaimed artist Yinka Ilori MBE, the festival reaffirmed Roundhouse’s position as one of the UK’s leading homes for creative innovation, offering young people tangible pathways into the arts and music industries.
The brand-new festival came to a spectacular close this week as Corinne Bailey Rae performed her Mercury Prize-nominated Black Rainbows with the acclaimed Guildhall Session Orchestra.
Earlier in the festival, Tom Odell sold out the iconic main space with Song Circle – a special performance spotlighting his own songs alongside those of five alumni from the Roundhouse’s Resident Artist programme.
Award-winning satirist, writer and actor Munya Chawawa also delivered a world-first with his sold-out ‘Munya Chawawa & Friends’ show. Another global exclusive came from Sona Jobarteh, who teamed up with the Philharmonia Orchestra for a one-off concert tracing the musical journey of her life.
Other unforgettable highlights included SHERELLELAND’s electrifying celebration of rave culture and inclusivity, Vogue Rites’ dazzling Face The Music Ball, Roundhouse’s 20th Poetry Slam, championing the next generation of spoken word stars with judging panel of Akala, Mahalia and Caleb Femi, and the photographic installation Moments of Encounter by Myah Asha Jeffers.
Tom Odell said: “I always love performing at the Roundhouse, but being given the platform to invite five incredible emerging musicians onto the stage with me at Roundhouse Three Sixty was really special. The Roundhouse is doing such important work in making things happen for young people, while giving artists like me space to create something really unique.”
Resident Artist Daze, a queer choreographer and poet who performed ‘Shovel’ an electrifying exploration of siblinghood, memory and the things left unsaid, during Roundhouse Three Sixty, said: “Performing at Three Sixty with the Roundhouse’s support made my voice feel significant, like the echoes were worth listening out for. It’s not often you get this kind of opportunity and it will always live as a landmark moment for me.”
SHERELLE, who invited four young creatives from the Roundhouse’s DJ drop in to play as support to her SHERELLELAND show, said: “The Roundhouse youth programme is super important for young people at the moment because there aren’t many initiatives that are able to facilitate so many different people but also give them the time to learn how to do something. The collaboration between myself and the Roundhouse of offering slots for the SHERELLELAND show is important because you are trying to give someone a leg up. It was the biggest show I have ever done and it is nice to share that experience with those so early in their careers. Opportunities are important.”
Resident Artist Geo Aghinea said: “Sharing the stage with Tom Odell, on a renowned stage like Roundhouse, with a full professional band and production team, was an experience I could only have dreamed of a few years ago. I would’ve never secured such an opportunity without Roundhouse’s support. I also had the opportunity to perform a full 30-min set in the Resident Artist Showcase, which was great practice with regards to honing my future live shows and upcoming music releases.”
Marcus Davey, CEO and Artistic Director at the Roundhouse, said: “It was truly powerful to experience our entire iconic estate explode into life during our brand new Roundhouse Three Sixty festival. The festival is the lens through which the world sees the Roundhouse and everything that we do. The first ever Three Sixty showcased amazing world-first headline shows, new commissions, created accessible and affordable club nights, launched a low-priced youth ticket scheme, and platformed the superb talents of over 250 young creatives. We are already busy programming next year’s Roundhouse Three Sixty, which will stage world-class performances of contemporary culture by household names alongside emerging artists and young people.”