2009 gets underway with a ‘bang’ as hush returns to the Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday 24 February. Following the huge success of the hush series last year, hush’s first show of the new year sees it teaming up with Ambiguous Records and AWAL to bring live performances from Ivor Novello award nominee Ben Onono along with the critically acclaimed violinist Roxy Rawson and the strange and savage Orphans & Vandals.
hush is part of the Royal Albert Hall’s initiative to support breakthrough UK talent, giving new artists the opportunity to play the historic venue’s ornate 200 capacity Elgar room. The series also introduces the Royal Albert Hall to a wider audience of young music enthusiasts.
Headlining hush on Tuesday 24 February is up and coming talent Ben Onono. Ben shot to fame having co-wrote the hugely successful dance track ‘It Just Won’t Do’ with DJ Tim Deluxe for which he was nominated for a coveted Ivor Novello award for Songwriting. Ben has written for artists as diverse as Cicada, Bob Sinclair, Fatboy Slim and Natalie Imbruglia, with his dance tracks receiving DJ support from both sides of the Atlantic. Born in Cardiff but raised in West Africa, Ben Onono’s debut album draws musical influences from all over the world bursting with blessed out acoustic songs and subtle traces of electronica.
Support on the night comes from rising stars Roxy Rawson and Orphans & Vandals. Championed by Independent on Sunday as the UK’s answer to Regina Spektor, classically trained violinist Roxy Rawson will captivate audiences as she brings her raw vocals and eclectic folk sound to the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar room next month. The edgy and quirky Orphans & Vandals consisting of a five strong band of multi-instrumentalists have been fascinating audiences with their innovative and offbeat sound and having been described by BBC 6’s Tom Robinson as ‘the most interesting band in years’, are set to bring the house down at the first hush of 2009.
The hush series is another step in affirming the Royal Albert Hall’s status as both an inclusive and accessible venue and one with the versatility to transcend the cultural generations. hush joins The Albert Sessions launched in 2008, to become another impressive manifestation of the Royal Albert Hall’s dedication to new artists.
Tickets go on sale Friday 16 January and are £7.50 in advance (no booking fee), £10 on the night - available from www.royalalberthall.com / 020 7589 8212
