Roundhouse Rising 2014: Camden’s new musical generation

Music. That’s what NW1 is world famous for. It’s also a safe bet that nine out of ten people will blurt out “guitar bands”, when asked what type.

It’s not to say there aren’t still plenty of floppy-haired four-piece hopefuls knocking about, occasionally delighting the pub circuit, but – just as holding tired views about Camden’s markets means missing out how things have changed – that tendency for clichéd thinking poses a real danger of missing out on the full wealth of music being made and played here too.

Luckily, the beloved cluster of toilet circuit venues also have the iconic Roundhouse overseeing proceedings up at the end of the road. Now fully restored to its rightful, historical position as one of the planet’s most dynamic gig venues, it showcases a perception-changing range of sounds, often broadcast to an international audience. And while many of those are, of course, touring visitors, the success of homegrown stars like Amy Winehouse, and yes, N-Dubz too, has done much to associate the local scene with more than just aggressively-strummed backroom angst.

But for a taste of the future, you have to cock an ear towards the network of passageways beneath the main space. The beautiful brickwork arches of the undercroft are where the true extent of the venue’s importance is revealed, home to the Paul Hamlyn Roundhouse Studios.

“Our creative programme for 11-25s operates there all year round,” says Oli Kluczewski, programme producer on Roundhouse Rising, the forthcoming festival that specifically celebrates new music. “It’s the absolute bedrock of the Roundhouse and its core vision. It’s truly inclusive and offers young people – from any background – access to incredible learning opportunities via our state of the art studio facilities. As a charity, all our profits from the main space shows and commercial activity goes into supporting future generations of creativity.”

It’s an undeniably inspirational project that deftly swerves the usual herding of young musicians into either elitist or disadvantaged groupings. Instead, London’s full spectrum of aspiring artists get to come together, with direct access to industry professionals mentoring them in anything from DJing and sound engineering through to spoken word, song writing, film editing and street circus.

Across the 20-23rd Feb, Roundhouse Rising is back for its fourth consecutive year in four-day festival form (it’s also a smaller, monthly event too) as a celebration of what Oli sums up to be “new sounds and new approaches to music”.

His performance tips for 2014? Whitney Williams (Thurs 20th), Ajimal (Friday 21st), Phoenix Martins (Sat 22nd) and Skinny Girl Diet (Sunday 23rd), plus they’ll be photography exhibitions, sound installations, pop-up gigs and secret DJ sets in unusual places, “giving the public a great experience of the Roundhouse building itself.” Meanwhile, a masterclass and panel series offers practical advice for aspiring artists and young people wanting access to the creative industries.

Despite the current doom and gloom over budget cuts, this programme proves there is still amazing support for those motivated enough to go out and grab a slice of it. The future sound of Camden Town isn’t just indie rock, it’s everything from nu folk to post-moombahton beats. And beyond.