RALLY 2025 Festival Review – An Incredible Display of Fresh Music
RALLY 2025 Festival Review – An Incredible Display of Fresh Music A triumphant rain-free return for the Southwark Park festival. [2026 Ticket Sign up] By Caitlin Taylor 14 September 2025 {{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.singularReviewCountLabel }} {{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.pluralReviewCountLabel }} {{ options.labels.newReviewButton }} {{ userData.canReview.message }} I’ve been to a lot of festivals this year and RALLY is the one I’ve been looking forward to most. As was the case last year, the lineup was incredible showcasing both emerging talent and established stars of the alternative scenes. It’s admirable how dedicated they are to supporting local artists, bands, and venues with a stage dedicated to Skehans pub (providing pints of Guinness!), copies of the Toerag newspaper scattered around the site and situational art pieces provided by local artists. The Agnes stage remained the best of the festival, both in terms of aesthetics and lineup. With a slight rejig, in my opinion an improvement from last year, the artists were much more accessible and easy to view. The first artist we caught there was Astrid Sonne who took to the stage accompanied by Emma Bradlet on the cello. She let the crowd know it was her birthday, and the crowd gifted her with a soft rendition of the birthday song which was sweet to experience. She’s a gentle performer who embraces fragility in her work. This delicateness allows you to focus on her beautiful violin playing and diary-like lyrics. Moving to the main stage, it was an emotional display for Porridge Radio’s final show of their tour, and one of their last performances ever before their looming breakup. Dana Mangolin gave it her all, belting out lyrics and swinging round her guitar, joined by Georgie on backup vocals who was back for their final date after 9 months away. They began by showcasing some of their more recent songs, but the crowd really kicked in as they brought back some tunes from Every Bad. Moin were absolutely mind-blowing. They took to the stage pretty casually, and then proceeded to blow out everyone’s eardrums with their incredibly tight instrumentation. They followed by bringing out Sophia Al-Maria to give a beautiful spoken word performance. From our angle we could see a stressed worker giving them 5 more minutes, which they took pretty liberally, but how could you shut down such an intense performance with an equally captivated audience? Definitely a highlight of the day. Some of the artists we stopped briefly by but still deserve recognition include Asha Puthli who opened the festival for us, Taahliah giving an ethereal performance on the Agnes stage, and The Speakers Quartet who provided a beautiful celebration of the work of Arthur Russell. Exploding onto the Agnes stage at 8pm was the rising star duo Bassvictim. Producer Ike Clateman remained comfortably at his decks while front woman Maria Manor took hold of the stage, strutting around and twirling while the front row desperately reached out their hands. It was undeniably incredibly fun. My personal favourite song Alice elicited screams from the crowd and a sea of raised hands. It’s always exciting to see a band this reasonably new with such a dedicated crowd. Closing out was the icon that is Floating Points who was accompanied by some captivating visuals. We managed to get a spot in the front row and felt ourselves consumed by the music. It was a beautiful send off to probably the best RALLY so far, at the very least the one with the best weather. You Might Also Like Recent Posts You Might Also Like Recent Posts
A Belated The Great Escape 2025 Write Up
Yeah, yeah, we know it was a couple of months ago but we did just want to note how special TGE 2025 was to us at TNAM. For the first time ever we got not one but two festival stages where we were allowed to display some of our favourite artists on the Loud LDN lineup (who we couldn’t have done it without!) as well as open the stage for anyone else out there who wanted to play but didn’t get selected through the official routes with our open mic.
LIDO feat. Charlie XCX 2025 Review – Is Brat Summer Over?
LIDO feat. Charlie XCX 2025 Review – Is Brat Summer Over? This was the day most people seemed hyped for in the LIDO lineup: Charli XCX was curating her own ‘partygirl’ festival on a Saturday in Victoria Park. 2 July 2025 By Caitlin Taylor It was sold out, incredibly busy and once again, way way too hot. At times, it felt reminiscent of an immersive theatre experience – many of the attendees were kitted in neon green clothing with various phrases in the classic brat font. We kept crossing paths with one group in particular, who were all wearing matching neon green mini bob wigs. It was truly surreal. We knew to avoid the Club stage after Outbreak the day previously, and it was a good idea as here the queues were even longer. It’s a shame, as we were excited to catch Rose Gray, who’s having a super interesting rise to fame at the moment, but we weren’t willing to miss any of the artists in a queue that looked like it would take an hour. Stage 2 was our favourite of the day. We’d kept pretty far from at Outbreak the day before as I bruise too easily to handle a mosh pit. Our first taste was Magdalena Bay, who could honestly be considered one of THE bands of 2024. Their album Imaginal Disk was a smash hit, and it was a treat to see them live despite the fact that we were so far back they looked like little insects to us, but to have such a large audience at such an early slot is to be admired. 070 Shake was next for us, and it’s rare to see someone so chill while performing on a festival’s main stage. She kept a smile on her face, strolling down the runway, joking around with the crowd. “I see you girl!” She shouted to everyone who got on someone else’s shoulders, encouraging others to do the same. She ended with a modified version of ‘Ghost Town’, which seemed to have the entire crowd singing along. Throwing her microphone into the crowd, she allowed her band to close out. Without exaggerating, it’s one of the best experiences I’ve had at a festival. After that was Kelly Lee Owens, a producer and electronic musician from Wales, a recent discovery for us, but one who is now firmly on our playlists. She held the crowd in the palm of her hand, equally as impressive vocally and on her synth. I would’ve been perfectly happy dancing to her all day; she managed to turn a circus tent in Victoria Park into a sweaty underground club. Over on the main stage, The Japanese House provided a much more relaxed moment in the day. It was a good time to grab some food and sit a little further back while listening to some gorgeous dreampop. She mentions that she is properly performing on home turf here, as she lived close enough to cycle. The next day, while scrolling TikTok, I discovered there was some drama about overcrowding during The Dare, meaning that half the crowd was stopped from coming in by security. However, as we’d arrived about 15 minutes early to his set, we remained blissfully unaware of this as we stood near the front of the stage. People were jumping up and down, getting off, eyes wide, singing along. His heavier songs hit better than his slower ones, which is to be expected at a ‘partygirl’ festival. ‘It girl’ of the last couple of years, PinkPantheress, appeared at the end to sing her new ‘American Boy’ inspired hit ‘Stateside’, which The Dare produced. He kindly held her bag during her set – what a gentleman. We stayed firmly planted here for Bladee, who came onto the stage with his hood up and a massive flag in his hand. As someone who’s been surrounded by drainers since moving to London, it felt a little bizarre that many had no idea who he was, but to loyal fans, it was clear this was a special moment as he closed his set by bringing out Ecco2k to perform their new song. And then finally, of course, Charli XCX was on the main stage. Providing a theatrical performance full of flashy visuals, choreographed dance pieces and even rain, the crowd were fixated on her every move. It became clear that most were newer fans as the audience was surprisingly quiet during her older hit ‘Vroom Vroom’, but the energy was at an all-time high during her brat tracks and the Barbie movie hit ‘Speed Drive’. She brought AG Cook and Bladee out as guests, and once again, the crowd seemed a little lost. We ended up having to explain who they were to the group next to us, but hopefully, it does something to spread hyperpop awareness to the masses. As she’s done previously, she finished by allowing her visuals to speak for her. “I want this to last forever”, they read, “it wasn’t just a summer thing… it’s a forever thing xx” and so far, with Charli’s shows only rising in popularity, it seems like that may be the case. You might also like ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ Recent Posts ⋆⭒˚.⋆
OUTBREAK 2025 Review – Hot Sticky Hardcore
OUTBREAK 2025 Review – Hot Sticky Hardcore It was a swelteringly hot Friday, not ideal weather for heavy cotton band shirts and mosh pits, but that wasn’t going to deter any of the attendees of Outbreak festival. 2 July 2025 By Caitlin Taylor Momma was the first band we encountered on the main stage. They’re straight out of a 00s teen film soundtrack, accentuated by the duo’s strong American twang. Like most of the American acts who came over for the day, they were shocked by the heat but still managed to provide a fun set. Fleshwater followed, more on the hardcore side, with heavy guitars and bold vocals. “I want the biggest circle in the world!’ yelled a member of the band, which the British audience were initially hesitant to do, maybe due to the heat, but they eventually caught the drift. The one criticism we really had was the capacity of The Club Stage, as we didn’t manage to get in at all. We were incredibly keen to catch both feeble little horse and Jane Remover, but due to being faced with a queue that seemed to curl back around itself endlessly, we ended up just standing near the entrance and trying desperately to catch what we could. Next, we had Julie, who was our highlight of the day. They began by playing a video of someone playing the cello, which broke down as the band walked onstage. We likened them to Bar Italia’s little American cousins, lacking the nonchalance of the European indie darlings, which isn’t a negative. At times reminiscent of Nirvana, their drum work was particularly impressive. Definitely one to check out. Closing out there was a characteristically excellent set from lo-fi indie king Alex G, which featured some deep cuts and mental instrumentation we were big fans of, followed by Turnstile, a band who’ve blown up massively over the past year. A momentous ending full of moshing and jumping around, insane that most had energy after the 30-degree temperatures. It was an impressive London launch for Outbreak, with a really great selection of both hardcore and shoegaze artists. We’re already excited for next year! You might also like ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ Recent Posts ⋆⭒˚.⋆
OUTBREAK 2025 Ones to Watch – LIDO Weekend 2
OUTBREAK 2025 Ones to Watch – LIDO Weekend 2 Weekend one was a success, and weekend two looks to be even greater. 15 June 2025 By Caitlin Taylor We missed LIDO weekend one, don’t remind us. The Jamie XX and Skrillex B2B out the sound desk and Massive Attack’s statements have been the talk of the town for the last week so there was no way we were missing this coming weekend. With 3 days of drastically different sounds, there’s truly something here for everyone. FRIDAY 13th JUNE – OUTBREAK Kumo 99 2:35pm @ Stage 2Starting off strong, Kumo 99 are the first to take the stage at Outbreak. They’re high energy, a brilliant blend of punk and electronic. Check out their Coachella set from earlier this year if you want a taster. My only complaint is that they’re on way too early, but you can catch them later at Colour Factory too. feeble little horse3:40pm @ The ClubIf you’ve not heard of this indie rock group, they just gave a banging performance at Primavera and have been backed by So Young so you know they’re cool. Perfect for fans of Pavement or Pixies. Jane Remover4:40pm @ The ClubHyper and intense, Jane’s music is perfect to get you ready for the hardcore stuff happening later on. If you’ve been enjoying 2Hollis’s recent releases, this is one for you. SATURDAY 14th JUNE – PARTY GIRL The Japanese House5:45pm @ Main StageA veteran of queer indie music, she hit the mainstream last year after appearing as a feature on Charli XCX’s Brat remix album and collaborating with Fred Again. Her solo stuff is where she truly shines though, give her last album ‘In The End It Always Does’ a proper listen. Rose Gray6pm @ The ClubWell on her way to being the new it girl, Rose Gray just released her debut album this past January. She’s 2025’s answer to Kylie Minogue with super fun, catchy beats that’ll get stuck in your head. Not one to miss. SUNDAY 15th JUNE Pip MillettI have loved Pip Millett since 2018, she’s truly a special artist. Smooth RnB with cheeky lyrics, her latest single ‘Tell Jimmy I’m Fine’ is a perfect example. Clementine DouglasA truly brilliant dance vocalist who’s featured on tracks with juggernauts including David Guetta, Calvin Harris, and Chase and Status. If you love a strong voice and catchy hooks, Clementine is definitely one to add to your must-sees. Wasia ProjectThis sibling duo started making music in their teens and have now grown as artists, making thoughtful and delicate tracks with a focus on instrumentation. They’re still early in their careers, and one to check out if you’re a fan of music that feels genuine. You might also like ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ Recent Posts ⋆⭒˚.⋆
GALA 2025 Review – Friends, Flags, & Farts in the Club:
GALA 2025 Review – Friends, Flags, & Farts in the Club: GALA is still a guaranteed fun weekend, even after 10 years 6 June 2025 By Caitlin Taylor GALA is a strangely comforting festival to me, as I’m sure it is to others who’ve spent a decent chunk of their lives walking distance from Peckham Rye Park. It attracts a loyal crowd – you’re going to encounter the same faces year after year, especially on a Saturday when most are off work. This was my first year not in a large group, which felt slightly alien, and I stand by that likely being the best way to enjoy yourself. Most people here are in eclectic, eccentric and impeccably dressed friend groups, but there’s also a growing movement of people finding new friends to go with. Sometimes people are hesitant about DJ-heavy, dance music festivals due to a fear of being the oldest there but users like Slaypril on TikTok are doing their best to dispel this anxiety. She started a group for those over 25 who aren’t yet ready to give up partying and recounts in one of her videos how she found a beautiful community of people feeling the same at GALA. The crowd we experienced was much more akin to one at The Cause than Ministry of Sound if that means anything to you. We walked in and were immediately met with Amaliah, a tiny figure on the enormous Main Stage. She captivated the growing crowd though, starting with a few early attendants sitting closely swaying along and finishing with a large audience almost spanning the entire length of the stage. Before we arrived, we’d been keen to spend time at the Pleasure Dome, a large geometric tent situated right at the centre of the site. The lineup here was very fun and very queer but unfortunately, after the first few hours there always seemed to be a large queue when we walked by – rightly so, but no less annoying. If we weren’t so keen to catch as much as we could we may have waited it out, and from what we heard inside it would’ve been worth it. DJ Fart in the Club was a highlight, as usual. It will never not be entertaining to see the confusion on people’s faces when one of their friends loudly announces that she’s playing. Her backdrop featured a Palestinian flag – like most festivals so far this year, GALA’s Pro-Palestine message was clear from flags on stage to scrawled messages on tents. dreamlike feminine quality. One key highlight was the Sunflower tent, offering a starkly different vibe to most of the rest of the festival with its sparkly balloons and vinyl DJs. Their lineup was announced partway through the day on a scrawled piece of A4, including two surprise sets by Floating Points and Giles Peterson – a regular name at UK festivals this year. We camped out here a few times, catching Mafalda’s B2B. It was a refreshing break in between heavier sets especially as the night went on. Avalon Emerson closed out, keeping her foot on the ball by featuring remixes of up-and-coming French darling Oklou. The crowd were captivated, a sea of grinning faces and bodies in motion. GALA 2025 was a lovely celebration of the 10-year anniversary of one of the best London festivals still going. It manages to feel fun and fresh, intimate and casual – a crowd-pleaser, and rightly so. We look forward to year eleven! You might also like ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ Recent Posts ⋆⭒˚.⋆
Wide Awake 2025 Review – A Political Celebration of Music and Community:
Wide Awake 2025 Review – A Political Celebration of Music and Community: No surprises here – Wide Awake was brilliant. 6 June 2025 By Caitlin Taylor It was a shaky start – news of legal action against the festival for not following regulations meant rumours swirled that it would be cancelled just days before but Wide Awake brushed this off and carried on. After sadly missing out last year, I was determined to drag our founder Isla along to experience the best of London Day festivals and it was well worth it. Daniel Avery did an amazing job at curating the Dazed stage which took place inside a giant big top tent. The first act we caught there was Chanel Beads who were, as always, captivating and incredibly cool. As he did at their Pitchfork show last year, Shane Lavenders requested that the lights facing that band be shut off so that they were backlit, leaving the audience with a shadow puppet-esque view. Maya McGrory (who recently released her own solo album as Colle) was particularly enchanting whenever she was on the mic. They were also joined by regular King Krule collaborator Gal Go on sax. Shout out to Hello Mary who we unfortunately missed but heard great things about from others, they’re definitely on our radar for the future. A horrible timing clash meant that while I planted myself firmly at Fcuckers, Isla made a mad dash across the park to catch parts of deBasement, Mannequin Pussy and English Teacher – but I was told they were all definitely worth the sprint. Fcuckers were just insanely fun, they had the entire crowd jumping and dancing around, particularly to their opening and closing songs ‘Homie Don’t Shake’ and ‘Bon Bon’. We also caught Nadine Shah who was a powerhouse with bellowing vocals and a crazy stage presence. She even brought out Spider from the Pogues to perform ‘Boys from the County Hell’ which prompted certain people to join arms and dance around in drunken circles – no naming names. CMAT was the penultimate act on the main stage, riding the high of her recent TikTok virality. Everyone with an embarrassingly high screen time could be seen dancing along to ‘Take A Sexy Picture of Me’. After a while, I ran off to catch Cobrah who ended up being pretty late. I wasn’t complaining though as it meant Sega Bodega (who I’d sadly resigned myself to not seeing) had extended his set past his designated time. Her eventual appearance was worth the wait, however, giving the sexiest performance of the day even featuring a very brief Cou Cou Chloe appearance/lap-dance that left everyone in the big top tent hot and bothered. Wide Awake is an undeniably political festival as shown by their refusal to give into the campaign against their headliners Kneecap which was kicked off by their divisive Coachella set earlier this year and culminated in a terrorism charge against member Mo Chara. We caught whispers of a secret set which turned out to be a speech from Jeremy Corbyn on the main stage mid-way through. He championed grassroots music venues, the power of community, and Palestine. Headliners Kneecap reinforced similar messages during their set, really hammering into the audience the importance of standing up for what you know is right despite the consequences. The support Wide Awake provides to grassroots venues should also be championed, with them providing stages for MOTH Club and The Shacklewell Arms as well as the South East London DIY skate spot The Grove. The world feels like a scary place at the moment and it’s beautiful to see so much community still remains. Walking around the festival we encountered so many fellow journalists, local musicians, and industry people all of whom were keen to chat and share thoughts/cigarettes. Afterwards, Isla texted me to say she had “the bloody best day ever” and I wholeheartedly agree. You might also like ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ Recent Posts ⋆⭒˚.⋆
Our CROSS THE TRACKS 2025 Top Picks:
Our CROSS THE TRACKS 2025 Top Picks: Can’t wait for Cross The Tracks on Sunday? These are our must-sees. 22 May 2025 By Caitlin Taylor I still count Cross the Tracks 2022 as maybe my favourite festival experience ever so here’s hoping this year is more of the same. I’m not sure where else you’ll find a lineup this talented – Ezra Collective, Jordan Rakei, Michael Kiwanuka and Free Nationals all in one place. We’ve picked out a few of our favourites you should give a listen to before the headliners, maybe you’ll find a few new favorites. ESSENCE MARTINS – 12:05 pm @ The Caboose Stage We were early fans of Essence Martins here at TNAM, and she’s only grown greater as time has progressed. Her new album Sleeping On It showcases her talent as a singer/songwriter with relatable lyrics that’ll leave you reminiscing about your last breakup. Delicate and peaceful, perfect for a Sunday afternoon. FABIANA PALLADINO – 2:20 pm @ Locomotion Stage We’re all for bringing disco back in 2025, and it’s something Fabiana Palladino has been doing over the past year. Her critically acclaimed self-titled album set her apart from your typical pop act with funky beats and smooth vocals. We caught her last year at RALLY, and again at All Points East where she performed with the legendary Jai Paul, a regular collaborator of hers. NIA SMITH – 2:15 pm @ D-Railed Stage Nia Smith is perfect for a festival like Cross The Tracks. A singer/songwriter with a reggae influence and strong soul sound, she seems moments away from blowing up to Jorja Smith levels. Last year she performed at SZA’s Hyde Park takeover despite only having released her first song on streaming services a month before. Catch her before she hits the main stage. JGRREY – 1:30 pm @ Mainline Stage JGrrey is one of my absolute personal favourites. Her first release For Keeps in 2019 is still a regular play and her newest album If Not Now? Is equally as good. She’s still a leading force in the London RnB scene despite putting nothing on streaming for the past 2 years. Hopefully, her appearance at Cross The Tracks will set the stage for some new releases..? LULU. – 12:30 pm @ Mainline Stage LULU. (the full stop is intentional!) is another artist who only started releasing music very recently but is already selling out headline shows. Her music draws inspiration from her childhood growing up in the church and her love for afrobeats, the perfect music to dance to in the sun with your friends. It’s rare to find music that feels so genuine and uplifting – we’re excited to see her on stage! You might also like ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ Recent Posts ⋆⭒˚.⋆
Our Wide Awake 2025 Top Picks:
Our Wide Awake 2025 Top Picks: Wide Awake is back this Friday! Here’s who you need to catch 20 May 2025 By Caitlin Taylor Don’t tell the others, but Wide Awake may be our most anticipated festival this year. It’s brought to you by, and champions of, many beloved grassroots London venues like The Shacklewell Arms and MOTH Club. If you love the indie scene and alternative music, it’s where you need to be this Friday. MERMAID CHUNKY – 2:45 pm @ Wide Awake Stage Mermaid Chunky call themselves an “audio-visual duo” rather than a band, which seems pretty accurate. They’re one for the art students or those who spent their lunchtimes at drama club – expect face paint, big costumes, and a sound your parents probably wouldn’t really ‘get’. Maximalism at its finest. True Blue – 2:15 pm @ The Grove DIY Stage True Blue is a project by Maya Laner, the bassist of the synth-pop band Porches. She’s a multi-instrumentalist who has put out a series of great experimental pop singles over the past couple of years. Having previously opened for Wide Awake alum Caroline Polachek, she possesses a similar dreamlike feminine quality. UGLY – 1:30 pm @ Wide Awake Stage Ugly are ever-evolving, in many ways unrecognisable from their 2016 debut. They’re a vocal-heavy 6 piece who treat their music like art – part rock, part folk, part theatre. If you’re a fan of Wide Awake regulars Black Country New Road, give them a listen. deBasement – 6:00 pm @ The Grove DIY Stage If you were big into Brat summer last year but now are looking for something new then deBasement should be your soundtrack for 2025. Their catchy playful lyrics and party beats could draw comparisons to The Dare, MCR-T or Six Sex. They’re perfect if you grow a bit bored of guitars and are ready to party. ENGLISH TEACHER – 5:45 pm @ Wide Awake Stage Yeah, we know everyone is probably already planning to see English Teacher, but seriously you should. Their rise has been deservedly meteoric since the release of This Could Be Texas in 2024 but we’ve been diehard fans since the release of Polyawkward, their debut EP. Their set last weekend at The Great Escape was electric and we’re sure this will be no different. You might also like ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ Recent Posts ⋆⭒˚.⋆
BBC 6 Music Festival Preview: jasmine.4.t
BBC 6 Music Festival Preview: jasmine.4.t If you ever find yourself trying to think of an artist that encapsulates everything The New Age Magazine represents, your mind should jump to Manchester’s jasmine.4.t. 24 March 2025 By Kyle Roczniak Currently Listening to: Despite critical acclaim and recent shows in Texas for SXSW, the artist (real name Jasmine Cruickshank) hasn’t had it easy. With a slow-moving beginning to her music career and an array of barriers in her personal life serving as a constant reminder of the difficulty she faces simply trying to exist as a transgender woman, her debut album ‘You Are The Morning’ released earlier this year feels like a triumph for the queer community, with its themes rooted deeply in trans love and life’s most formative experiences. Ahead of her show at Manchester’s YES for BBC Radio 6’s annual festival, TNAM sat down with Jasmine to talk about her debut album, trans experiences, and the state of the music industry. “It’s been a long time coming,” begins Jasmine, summing up her Boygenius-produced debut album’s recent release. “I could never have dreamed that my debut album would be produced by three Grammy award-winning musicians who are now massive heroes of mine and great friends of mine now too, and to have done that with a massive group of trans and queer artists in LA – it’s too much to even think about sometimes!” “The songs on the record are about the hardest time of my life, going through my transition, and when I was homeless and just heartbroken, and going through a divorce. But also all of these wonderful experiences like finding my chosen family, and falling in love with trans people for the first time, and how healing that experience was.” As timeless as the album is set to be, it feels just as though now is the perfect time for Jasmine’s voice to be listened to, and for her experiences to be taken seriously. “Trans people around the world are so under attack. We’ve had Wes Streeting banning puberty blockers for trans children,” she says, discussing a plethora of anti-trans legislation that is a clear, targeted attack against the community. Despite ‘You Are The Morning’ not being strictly themed around trans identity, the experiences Jasmine writes about are impossible to ignore. “In the public media right now, there’s so much hatred and fear still growing around transness that it’s impossible to not be shouting about it and be like, ‘yeah, I’m a proud trans woman’, even though its terrifying.” With the support of her queer and transgender inclusive chosen family in Manchester, her formative years in Bristol with long-term health problems and a struggle as a closeted trans woman feel a million miles away. But that isn’t to say she still doesn’t face danger. Speaking ahead of appearances at SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, Jasmine and her band still face uncertainty when it comes to travelling to share their art. “On on our way back from Texas, we have a stopover in North Carolina, and we’re not allowed to use public bathrooms. And so, we’re just going to have to hold it. And it’s like, we could get put in jail. And if I was going to prison as a trans woman, especially in the US, it’s a death sentence, so many trans men die in men’s prisons in the US. It’s insane and it’s something that’s completely unspoken about.” Our chat with Jasmine is hot on the heels of a campaign against the UK government’s proposed changes to copyright legislation, which would allow AI companies to use copyrighted music freely. “One of the most valuable things about this country is its music. We have incredibly acclaimed musicians emerging every year and we’re a huge part of the the direction of international music – we’re at the at the forefront of it and I don’t think that’s really recognised by the government and it needs to be,” says Jasmine. “It’s just completely impossible to work as an independent artist or on an independent label or anywhere in the music industry without having a second job. Like I work four days a week as a software engineer and that funds my music. I haven’t made any money from my music so far. I probably won’t for a while.” Now 33, Jasmine has been making music since being a teenager and was fortunate to receive monetary support from her parents for that. However, she’s aware of this position of privilege: “There are so many working-class musicians out there who deserve so much more recognition but are completely unable to access the kind of level of visibility that people who have the money to pay for it can like myself. I think that’s just completely unjust and unfair. I think that sort of recognition and support needs to not just be from funding bloodies and charities, but there needs to be massive change to the way our country supports artists. Speaking on the work of the BBC in supporting independent artists, Jasmine explains that even before her transition, BBC Introducing has always been supportive of her work.” I’m actually doing a playlist takeover on the [BBC 6 Music] indie show and I’m able to play some of Manchester’s trans artists as well, which is allowing the community to represent itself, which I think is a really beautiful aspect of it. On playing the station’s festival this month, she shares her excitement to be playing for a hometown crowd, which is set to be a beautiful moment for Jasmine to share with her chosen family in the place she calls home. Jasmine.4.t will be performing at the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival in Greater Manchester (26th-29th March). Listen to performances across the weekend on 6 Music and BBC Sounds. For festival tickets, visit bbc.co.uk/6musicfestival You might also like ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ Recent Posts ⋆⭒˚.⋆