The UK’s only black-tie music and arts festival has announced which acts will feature on their ‘RISE’ line-up this year.
Henley Festival, which takes place for five nights from July 9-13 will be showcasing a line-up of emerging talent on their ‘RISE’ line-up spanning genres from pop and classical to folk and jazz, the line-up of trailblazing musicians features this year’s recipient of the Westcoast RISING Star Award – Manchester-based singer-songwriter, Hetta Falzon. Known for channelling honesty and vulnerability into her song-writing and music, Hetta draws on jazz, pop and classical influences to inspire a unique melodic style, driven by a desire to move people.
Further acts appearing on the RISE stage include outstanding emerging artists who have had millions of streams on social media, a Welsh-Jamaican singer/song writer tipped to be the new face of pop R&B, a Roundhouse resident artist who has performed at Glastonbury, bands with European tour experience, and award winning, emerging musicians.
The line-up features performances from Welsh R&B singer-songwriter Leila McKenzie; Jazz-Pop artist Darcy Winter; Bath-based indie folk singer-songwriter Jonny Morgan; South London-based R&B vocalist Naima Adams; Birmingham three-piece indie rock band The White Lakes; guitarist and vocalist Tony Mac; London-based indie pop band High Windows and finally closing the stage on the Sunday of the festival, Irish singer-songwriter Conor McLain.
Alongside music, the Festival also champions visual artists in the early stages of their career. New for this year, Henley Festival launched the RISE by Henley Festival Emerging Artist Prize, which gives recognition and awareness to visual artists aged 18 and over who are in the early stages of their careers, or who have not yet established a reputation among art curators, buyers and critics. In addition to receiving a financial prize, the winner and two runners-up will be exhibiting their brilliant work in the Audi High RISE Gallery.
The winner of this year’s prize is Raoul Orzabal, a London-based painter of complex and intricately detailed landscapes and cityscapes. The two runners-up are Curtis Chan, a Hong Kong-born and London-based painter of dream-like compositions imbued with nostalgia and present-day desires, and Susan Kellaway, presenting her vibrant and subversive paintings of the female figure.
Now in its fourth year, RISE by Henley Festival provides aspiring artists with funding, exposure, mentoring and professional advice, in addition to a fantastic, receptive audience. RISE works with local and national colleges, as well as performing arts academies, to find talented individuals and groups, whatever their story, who will benefit from the opportunities provided.
Jo Bausor, CEO of Henley Festival said: “It’s an honour to be continuing our RISE programme into yet another year, supporting young and emerging artists by offering paid opportunities to perform, exhibit or complete work placements. It’s at the core of everything we do as a festival and there is no greater privilege than helping these incredible young artists and students kickstart their careers in roles across the cultural spectrum.”
