Editor’s be aware: Please welcome our latest EQ Music contributor Helen Kimber to the weblog. Helen was on reporting responsibility at this yr’s inaugural SXSW London and right here’s her roving report on her EQ Music picks that she obtained to see stay and advocates that you just take a look at!
British singer-songwriter Benedict Cork was the primary artist I noticed at SXSW London this yr, having been in love with the deluxe model of his album ‘Notes On A Hopeless Romance’. Benedict
began his SXSW set singing with an a capella model of ‘Sanctuary’ that had the viewers captivated
from the get-go. Benedict has a manner of exhibiting emotional vulnerability in his music while additionally
being extremely relatable as he talks candidly to the viewers between his songs. He performs the
piano with ease and fluidity making among the stay introductions to his songs appear nearly dream-
like. He provides unreleased observe ‘Don’t Waste Your Roses On Me’ to his set and explains the music’s origin
story from his time spent in Nashville navigating the courting app Hinge. Benedict delivered a
lovely half hour set with the promise of returning to Hoxton Corridor later that summer season for his subsequent
headline present. He additionally wrote authentic music for the theatre manufacturing of ‘4 Play’ which has a
restricted run at The Kings Head theatre in August and September.
After EQ Music interviewed Mabel in 2017 at British Summer season Time competition, it was a full
circle second to see her headlining Shoreditch City Corridor on the primary night time of SXSW London this yr.
Mabel invited the viewers into her front room, the place the place she wrote loads of her upcoming
album ‘Mabel’. The distinctive set design included a settee, home crops, a number of TVs and a piano.
Mabel shared among the new tracks from her upcoming album throughout her set. New songs together with ‘January 19’ and ‘Love Me Light’ actually stood out from her new materials. She ended her 40 minute set with crowd pleaser ‘Don’t Name Me Up’ and her current single ‘Nutritional vitamins’. Mabel defined that her
upcoming album could be a reintroduction to who she is and this headline present positively gave
followers a favour of what was to come back.
I used to be notably enthusiastic about attending the Rolling Stone: Way forward for Music showcases at SXSW
London this yr. Stand-out act for me was New York-based unbiased pop star Bentley Robles. Seeing Bentley carry out for Rolling Stone at SXSW London was one other full circle for us as final yr, EQ Music programmed his Tears and Gear UK tour dates with Zee Machine, bringing each artists to the UK for his or her very first worldwide performances.
Bentley Robles‘ standout music at SXSW London was positively ‘Extremely Excessive Definition Lover’ – a observe chosen as ‘Anthem of the 12 months’ on the 2025 Queerties awards. Bentley additionally carried out fan favorite ‘I Hate The Weekend’ together with among the newer materials from his Chaotic Erotica album, bringing excessive vitality dance strikes, a cheeky sense of humour and a shock visitor look from Madison Rose.
Bentley has spent the summer season touring together with his Tears & Gearz bandmate Zee Machine selling their ‘Father Determine Fantasy’ EP and is releasing a solo album subsequent yr with the lead single mysteriously titled ‘New Tune’. Bentley’s introduced ardour, vitality and drive to the SXSW London stage leaving the viewers proclaiming “I need to be well-known!”
In the event you’re in search of the following predominant pop boy, look no additional – Bentley Robles is your boy.
Because of the reality that there have been so many unbelievable acts to expertise at SXSW London, there are at all times just a few occasions that you may’t handle to squeeze into your schedule. Two of those artists on my record have been Jude York and I Am Roze. While I used to be unable to see their performances, I took the time to hearken to their music afterwards and have since develop into an enormous fan of each. I Am Roze’s EP ‘Social Commentary’ launched earlier this yr exhibits off their stunningly lovely vocals with ‘Greenback’ changing into one in all my agency favorite songs of the yr.
I additionally love Jude York’s current EP ‘Heartstrings’ the place every music represents a distinct room in a lodge (‘Whiplash!’ Is my private favorite).
