This Autumn, the Southbank Centre’s free gig series, futuretense, returns. Twice every month, these free shows share the sounds of the future, presented in collaboration with BBC Music Introducing, futuretense provides a platform for the next generation of British and international artists to share their talents.
Since launching in 2019, futuretense continues to deliver a breadth of performance opportunities and provides a welcoming space for everyone to relax and experience live music entirely for free.
Some future highlights:
East London’s Toby Corton (10th October)is an artistic force whose soulful style permeates through his music. He is now playing sold-out gigs for headline shows at Servant Jazz Quarters, The Windmill (Brixton) and The Roundhouse. He has already racked up over 500,000 views for his COLORS show.
Alongside his music career, Toby is a photographer, shooting the likes of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Queens Bimini and Black Peppa, as well as London Trans Pride Founder Lucia Blayke.
He is the co-founder of Sounds Queer, an organisation that aims to champion diverse voices and create safe live music spaces, from and for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Jamaican-Irish rapper JayaHadADream (17th October) is known for her introspective and gritty style, heavily influenced by grime and a range of hip hop. Jaya’s raw lyrics provide an unfiltered and authentic insight into her life, touching on themes of resilience and self-discovery.
JayaHadADream’s music career has reached new heights since being named a Pirate Studios 2024 Resident Artist. She was also the winner of the Glastonbury 2024 Emerging Talent Competition, joining the likes of Decklan McKenna and Scouting for Girls, and earning herself a slot on stage at the prestigious festival.
Nuha Ruby Ra (21st November) has been touted as one of the most exciting and provocative new acts in the UK. Her signature sound is thrilling, unsettling and powerful with ethereal melodies countering her punchy, off-kilter beats.
Drawing attention from critics and fans with singles including My Voice and Self Portraiture, she has toured with the likes of Yard Act, Warmduscher, Viagra Boys, King Gizzard and The Wizard Lizard and Bambara, and has appeared at festivals such as SXSW, Glastonbury, Latitude and Boardmasters
Isaiah Shoticaury (5th December) is an unconventional and introspective thinker, who conveys his deepest emotions and sentiments through his magnetic musical compositions. With influences ranging from Dizzie Rascal to Fleetwood Mac, Isaiah’s music draws on his past experience to take listeners on a narrative journey that expands beyond the realms of hip-hop and grime.
Full details: https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/events/future-tense/?tab=events
