+ announces expanded Spotify partnership

17 October 2024

For the first time in its history, the Roundhouse has reached the major milestone of engaging with over 10,000 young people within the space of the year. 

As part of the celebrations of this record-breaking achievement, the Roundhouse has today unveiled a special dressing of its world-famous building, designed by and featuring young people. 

In addition, the Roundhouse has announced a new, expanded partnership with Spotify as the iconic performing arts venue aims to engage with even more young people each year.

Over the past year, the Roundhouse has worked with exactly 10,226 young people from across the entirety of London as well as other parts of the UK. Of that figure 48% are from the global majority.  

Opened in 2006 and immediately offering professional creative settings to young people, the total number the Roundhouse has worked with now stands at over 80,000 – more than the entire population of Camden aged 11-30.

To mark the historic milestone, the Roundhouse has today dressed the outside of its iconic building with bespoke designs, featuring the names of all of the 10,226 plus drawings and inspirational quotes submitted by young people.

As it looks to the future and working with even more young people every year, the Roundhouse has also announced Spotify as the Principal Partner of its Creative Studios Membership, which offers state of the art spaces and programmes for musicians, filmmakers, podcasters and performers.

Demi Adesoye, one of three Young Trustees at the Roundhouse – a demonstration of how the organisation involves young people in its decision making, said: 

“I first engaged with the Roundhouse in 2019 and through its offers – studio access, programmes, job opportunities – I’ve made invaluable industry connections, achieved milestones in my music career and gained incredible work experience. 

“It is also a privilege of mine to have joined the board of Trustees and worked together to ensure the organisation continues its mission of championing young creatives. Seeing how serious this organisation takes its young creatives and their welfare is immensely heartwarming. 

“Within those 10,226 engagements, there are young creatives who established impactful connections, developed new skills and will have the trajectory of their lives and careers changed for the better. I say that as one of the young creatives who bloomed through the Roundhouse’s endless encouragement, support and opportunities.”

Talia Augustidis, a multi-award-winning producer and member of the Roundhouse’s socially-engaged podcast platform Transmission Roundhouse, said: “The Roundhouse is an incredibly special place. You feel it as soon as you step in the Creative Studios and hear all of the drumming and the singing and the DJing, which jumbles together in this messy, creative mix that fills the hallways. It’s just electric. 

“On a personal level, my career started at The Roundhouse – I’ve made friends, met collaborators, got jobs, built a portfolio, all with their help. I’m so immensely grateful for the space they have provided for young creatives, especially in a time when the arts landscape feels so undersupported.”

Tendertwin, a musician who was part of the Roundhouse’s 2023/24 Resident Artist cohort, said: “The Roundhouse is one of those few magical places in the world for me, where I feel immediately at home seconds after stepping in. It doesn’t matter if I’m there to see a gig, attend a workshop, or just grab coffee with a friend – that strange comfort of the familiar is consistent. 

“As someone who is not from this country, and whose work deals a good amount with trying to understand what it means to belong anywhere, I find this phenomenon quite rare. I appreciate it fully. I’m Bilge, I make music as Tendertwin — I met my longest collaborators via the Roundhouse as an artist on both their Roundhouse Music Collective and Resident Artists programme, and I’m continuously inspired by the never-ending practice that happens inside this hub every hour, all day, all year.”

Zakariye Abdillahi, a poet, performer and filmmaker from Birmingham who is part of the Roundhouse’s current 2024/25 Resident Artist cohort, said: “The Roundhouse has always been a pinnacle of poetry for me ever since taking part in the Poetry Slam in 2023. Since then, I’ve taken part in the Roundhouse Poetry Collective under the warm guidance of Cecilia Knapp where I received weekly in-depth poetry sessions that helped me massively in my understanding of poetry. 

“Now as a Resident Artist, I’m excited to begin implementing the development and support I’ve received so far into my creative practice. The masterclasses are priceless and I’m so honoured to be connected with the Roundhouse, it feels like family.”

Jesley Faye Fantolgo, Editorial Coordinator at Spotify and Roundhouse alumni, said: “As a former Roundhouse young person I know the impact the Roundhouse is making to young creatives. I’m now a Spotify employee, having come through the Spotify internship programme which I discovered through the Roundhouse’s partnership with Spotify, and it’s brilliant to be working with an organisation that’s so connected to developing the next generation of talent.”

The Roundhouse’s capacity to work with more young people than ever before is thanks to the breadth of opportunities and spaces it provides. Sat underneath the iconic main space are the Roundhouse’s Creative Studios, which offer 26 spaces solely for young people to use seven days a week.

The opening of Roundhouse Works in 2023 has also significantly contributed to the Roundhouse’s record numbers. Generously supported by Inflexion Foundation with additional donations from trusts, individuals and corporate partners, Roundhouse Works provides a supportive environment for young creatives. 

It features the Inflexion Workspace, an affordable co-working space for freelancers and entrepreneurs aged 18-30, and professionally-run programmes that help turn creative passions into careers. 

Having previously delivered production workshops hosted by the likes of Brit Award winner Griff, Spotify – as well as being Principal Partner of the Creative Studios – will also engage with Roundhouse Works on its freelance and entrepreneurs programme. 

The expanded partnership will enable the Roundhouse to inspire change in the music industry and beyond by providing direct pathways into industry across its offering.

Marcus Davey, CEO and Artistic Director at the Roundhouse, said: “The Roundhouse has an extraordinary track record in delivering youth work in a professional creative setting that transforms lives. The historic achievement of engaging more than 10,000 young people in just one year for the first time not only highlights our commitment to nurturing the next generation of creatives, but also signifies a broader impact on the local community and the wider creative industries.

“It is fantastic and vitally important to have the expanded support of Spotify as we continue to grow in reach and influence. Partnerships like these allow us to support more young people than ever before. We’re now ambitiously looking forward to what we can achieve in the years to come, for the benefit of both young people and the creative sector.”

The Roundhouse’s status as an iconic arts and live music venue also plays a role in its impact. Revenue generated from ticketed events is reinvested directly into its youth programmes, ensuring that the organisation can continue to provide transformative opportunities for young people. 

Examples of these include the Roundhouse’s Poetry Slam in partnership with global law firm Taylor Wessing as well as bursaries, work experiences, paid professional opportunities and support to freelancers and entrepreneurs to develop their creative businesses.