Preview: Roundhouse Rising, 'An Explosion of Emerging Music'

Roundhouse Rising is a special festival for emerging music, showcasing the best of the best in new talent, technology and arts, and takes place at London’s iconic institution The Roundhouse in February. 

Featuring workshops, exhibitions, and shows, Roundhouse Rising is essential for budding artists and forward-thinking fans to discover who and what to watch out for in 2012, and how to make it yourself. 

Previous festivals have seen Jamie Woon, Wretch 32, RoxXxan and Stornaway take to the stage, and this year promises to follow in these large footsteps with rising stars Beaty Heart, CLOUT!, and the History of Apple Pie set to wow audiences in a number of events spread over nine days. 

This year also sees the festival take on a truly international feel, with a new Nordic electronic music night, performances from Congolese sensation Tres B and Ethiopian blues performers Krar Collective, as well as a rising host of British Underground’s global Bass Culture event before it travels to SXSW. 

In addition to concerts, Roundhouse Rising will also consist of projects such as panel discussions and seminars aimed at 14-25 year olds looking to gain an insight into the music industry. Panelists such as Giles Peterson, Hannah Holland, and Jon McClure will discuss topics such as the UnConventions ‘Voices’ seminar, which looks at the political voices and spoken messages encrypted through elements of culture including hip hop. 

Another exciting happening is a one-off exhibition by charity NOISE named ‘Art of Protest’, which looks at the powers of peaceful protest with works from world-renowned street artist Banksy and Turner Prize winner Gillian Wearing amongst others. 

Roundhouse Rising takes place from 9th-18th February at the Roundhouse in Camden, with a few events taking place in venues across East London – Full listing below. 

Live Music – Roundhouse Studio Theatre (unless specified) 

Rising Showcase, Thursday 9 Feb 

A fantastic night of emerging music with several artists direct from the Roundhouse Studios music programme, including new Roundhouse Records signing YGLU performing tracks from their debut EP, as well as Azekel who recently collaborated with the legendary Trevor Horn as part of Roundhouse’s innovative 3030 project. Mz Bratt YGLU Azekel Lovelle Dizzietron 7.30pm / £6 

Sonic – Friday 10 Feb 

A night of new musical pioneers featuring a special performance by Beaty Heart in collaboration with the Roundhouse Choir. Beaty Heart recently performed in the Main Space at the Roundhouse as part of Ron Arad’s Curtain Call and recently supported The Rapture on tour. Beaty Heart + Roundhouse Choir CLOUT! Sarah Leo The Waylayers 7.30pm / £6 

Bass Culture – Saturday 11 Feb 

In partnership with British Underground, a night inspired by the history, soul and spirit of reggae. See this special show here before it travels to SXSW and Brazil. Natty Lady Leshurr RasItes 8pm / £6. There will also be a panel event in conjunction on Wednesday 15 Feb at 7pm. 

The ‘Art of Protest’ exhibition – Saturday 11th Feb 11-6pm / Free, Roundhouse Circle bar 

Wicked Tongue – Wednesday 15 Feb @ Old Blue Last 

Roundhouse Records’ Ghosts You Echo launches her experimental electronic night at the champion venue for new music, Old Blue Last. Labyrinth Ear Jewellers Hourglass Sea Fragments 7.30pm / Free entry 

Roundhouse:Remixed – Friday 17 Feb @ Rich Mix 

In partnership with the Rich Mix creative team, Rising curates a wildly eclectic night of new music. Krar Collective in collaboration with Roundhouse Experimental Choir Tres B Rubix Poetry Collective Tempting Rosie Dizzietron (DJ set) 7.30pm / £5 

Incidentally Nordic – Friday 17 Feb 

As part of the Roundhouse’s young programmer series, Project Fresh Socks curate a night of cutting edge Nordic electronica. Sandra Kolstad Bloodgroup Torkelsen – special exclusive live set 7.30pm / £6 

EKO presents Through the Glass Ceiling – Saturday 18 Feb 

EKO will host the closing day of Rising, with a focus on women in music. Expect a workshop on music production with Hannah Holland (co-founder of Batty Bass), a podcast masterclass with BBC 6Music's Ruth Barnes, a panel hosted by Wears the Trousers magazine, as well as an evening of live music from some of the best female-fronted bands in the UK including hotly tipped London five-piece The History of Apple Pie. The History of Apple Pie Carousels Drop Out Venus 7.30pm / £6

Panels – all events at the Roundhouse 

Un-Convention: ‘Voices’ – Saturday 11 Feb 

For the second year running, Un-Convention present a whole series of talks, debates and interactive discussions on new music. This year Un-Convention have partnered with a variety of arts organisations in Colombia to focus on the effect of new technologies on local and global music making, hip hop culture and the politicisation of music both in the UK and in Latin America. Many of the panels will be live-streamed, giving you the chance to connect and interact with artists from the other side of the world. Special guests include John Robb, Jon McClure from Reverend and the Makers, RWD editor and Guardian journalist Chantelle Fiddy and artist RoxXxan. There will also be a performance from Cassetteboy. For more details please visit www.unconventionhub.org 10.30am-6pm / £10 (all day ticket) 

Bass Culture: The Influence of Reggae on British Music – Wednesday 15 Feb 

Following on from their showcase night, British Underground present a high profile panel discussion looking at the massive influence reggae has had on the current UK music scene from dubstep and grime to folk and electronica. 7-9pm / £2 

Wears the Trousers Panel discussion – Saturday 18 Feb 

Wears the Trousers are hosting a music industry panel discussion that will give participants the chance to get up close and personal with the music industry. They are also holding one-to-one Clinic Sessions to listen to your demos. Panel: 4-6pm, Session 6-7pm / £2 

Workshops – all events at the Roundhouse 

REMIX: Rising – 13-15 Feb 

On this special project you will get the opportunity to remix tracks by artists performing at Roundhouse Rising 2012. Working alongside professional producers, this intensive project will focus on song structure, creative interpretations and how to make the most out of a remix using the latest music software. Age: 14-19 11am-4pm / £15 

Rising: Rewind with Jagz Kooner and Bless Beats – Thursday 16 Feb 

Over the course of the day you will work alongside legendary producers Jagz Kooner (Oasis, Kasabian, Primal Scream) and Bless Beats (Wiley, Chipmunk) to look at what makes a song great, deconstructing tracks and building them up as a group. Age: 16-25 (Intermediate/Advanced) 11am-4pm / £5 

International Album In A Week – 13-17 Feb 

To celebrate the international flavour of Roundhouse Rising, the festival will be partnering with their international colleagues to help create an international album in a week. You’ll work alongside other musicians in our state of the art studio to create a series of new tracks inspired by the festival. Please note: you must have some experience of playing and writing your own music to take part. Ages 14-19 10am-4pm / £20 

Music Production and Promotion Masterclass – Saturday 16 Feb 

This workshop will provide an insight into the different aspects of working in dance music. Learn about DJing, music production, club promotion and starting a record label - and how all these skills can help you promote your own work - from Hannah Holland and the Batty Bass team. Ages: 16-25 10am-4pm / £5 

The Penniless Podcaster Masterclass – Saturday 18 Feb 

BBC 6Music’s Ruth Barnes is hosting a masterclass on how to make your own podcast, post it online, promote it and make it unique. This includes a chance to interview artists appearing as part of Roundhouse Rising and is also a good opportunity for those who are already podcasting, but who are keen to fine tune their methods and make the finished product slick and professional. Age: 16-24 1pm-5pm / £5 

Roundhouse Rising blog project – 13-17 Feb 

Learn about video and photography or web and radio journalism as you work on the daily Other Side of the World music project blog. Work with professionals to create work for your showreel, cover gigs at Roundhouse Rising 2012, write for the festival site and spread the word using social media. Age: 14-18 11am-4.30pm (+ some festival gigs) / £10

Words: KG