Making Moves: Our Roundhouse Resident Artists Hit New Heights

Earlier this year, we announced something that mattered. A partnership with the Roundhouse that backs emerging creatives aged 18–25 with what they actually need: access to world-class facilities, mentoring from people who've been there, and real performance opportunities that turn passion projects into proper careers.

No half-measures. No empty gestures. Just a year-long residency designed to disrupt the usual route into the creative industries.

Over the next 12 months, these artists dive into workshops, masterclasses, and collaborative projects that push boundaries and challenge conventions. They're not here to play it safe.

 

What They've Been Up To

The Resident Artists made their mark early. Featured on the cover for the London Jazz Festival 2025 lineup. Not bad for a start.

Carδamo secured the Fast Track Grant from Help Musicians and dropped "One More Night" this summer—an innovative blend of EDM and hyperpop that refuses to sit in one lane. Their digital album, a love so shy, landed in October.

TOBITHEFREAK got accepted onto the Oxford Contemporary Music BOOM programme. He had a successful headline show at The Post Bar earlier this month.

lulu melons released "Unavailable," recorded in Roundhouse Creative Studios. The track hit two curated Spotify playlists—Fresh Finds UK & IE, and peach, the indie pop playlist. Recognition where it counts.

Emmeline released "2BY2" this year. Her previous single "LITTLEMISSSIXTY" (featuring Marina B) caught the attention of Lauren Laverne's BBC Radio 6 programme and BBC Radio 6 Introducing Mixtape.

Hana Amaya has a new single, "Stranger In My Room," that came out last month.

THEA  just completed a successful performance of her play, If I were to say it in English, at the Viola! Theatre Festival. The piece follows a migrant girl constructing her own mix of languages to explore themes of love, violence, and longing. Powerful stuff.

 

Alumni Making Waves

The ripple effect continues. Previous Roundhouse Resident Artists are proving what focused support can do.

BINA (RA 21/23) won the 'One to Watch' award at the 2025 Independent Music Awards and opened for Little Simz's World Tour.

Teshay Makeda (RA 19/20) took home a Boisdale Award for emerging artist of the year.

Hohnen Ford (RA 23/24) featured in The Line of Best Fit to promote her latest EP, Incurable Optimism.

 

Roundhouse Studio Theatre Season 2025

The 2025 season showcases what happens when talent meets opportunity.

Kate Ireland (RA 23/24) kicked things off with Golden Time (and Other Behavioural Management Strategies)—an interactive performance blending spoken word and poetry.

Maureen Onwunali (RA 24/25) presents The Space Between, an immersive live poetry show exploring the boundaries between poetry, sound, and selfhood.

Marla Kether (RA 24/25) brings Kilengi Dance Party to London—a celebration of dance music from the Afrodiaspora, including dancehall, garage, Afro House, Baile Funk, Afrobeats, and Kuduros.

NIA (RA 24/25) explores jazz evolution with GEN:Jazz, paying homage to the genre's diverse heritage.

Zakariye (RA 24/25) brought Cages to the Studio Theatre this month. Previously broadcast on BBC 4 and BBC iPlayer, the show tackles masculinity, faith, and identity.

Daze Hingorani (RA 24/25) presents Shovel, exploring what it's like growing up around siblings while trying to do right by them and yourself.

Geo Aghinea (RA 24/25) launches The Gynodioecious Experience EP with a 40-minute performance of live vocals and modular synth experimentation.

 

Why This Matters

Supporting emerging talent isn't about charity. It's about investing in the people shaping culture. The Individualists, the creatives, the ones refusing to follow the script.

Our partnership with the Roundhouse backs the kind of people who align with what Chilly's stands for: disruptive, authentic, obsessive about their craft.

This is what happens when you give talented people the tools and space to create. No gatekeeping. Just opportunity.

 

Do you want to know more? Read the previous article here