Henley Festival names Cardiff-raised Adjua winner of Audi Presents RISE Music Award

Henley Festival Presented by Hemani has announced Welsh-Ghanaian artist Adjua as the first-ever recipient of the Audi Presents RISE Music Award – an initiative created to champion and accelerate emerging music talent.

The inaugural award marks a significant new chapter for Henley Festival's charitable RISE programme, which was established to support the next generation of creatives across music, visual art and backstage production.

Through the partnership, Audi and Henley Festival will provide breakthrough artists with performance opportunities, mentoring, professional guidance, and access to influential networks within the music industry.

Adjua will perform at this year's Henley Festival, bringing her distinctive indie-grunge R&B sound – infused with Afro and funk influences – to the festival audience. Raised in Splott, Cardiff, Adjua has rapidly emerged as one of the UK's most exciting new artists. She is the proud recipient of the PPL Momentum Accelerator, and her emotionally rich songwriting and genre-blending production have already earned recognition from BBC Horizons Launchpad Fund and Youth Music's NextGen Fund. While performances at SXSW and Glastonbury have further cemented her reputation as a rising talent to watch.

"Winning the Audi Presents RISE Music Award is an incredible milestone in my career," says Adjua. "To perform at Henley Festival alongside some of the biggest names in music is a truly special opportunity. I'm so grateful for the support and excited to share my music with such an amazing audience."

Audi, official car partner to Henley Festival since 2019, has played an active role in supporting the RISE programme's development. Camilla Foster, lifestyle and corporate communications manager of Audi UK, says: "We're delighted to deepen our support of the RISE programme and celebrate the next generation of musical talent. Adjua is an incredibly deserving inaugural winner, and we look forward to seeing her continue to grow and make her mark on the industry with the support of the Audi Presents RISE Music Award."

Jo Bausor, CEO of Henley Festival, adds: "Henley Festival has always been about celebrating creativity and opening doors for emerging artists. Launching the inaugural Audi Presents RISE Music Award is an exciting moment for the festival and for the RISE programme. Adjua is an exceptional artist, and we are thrilled to support her at this important stage in her career."

This year's Audi Presents RISE Music line-up features a diverse new generation of artists, including performers who have appeared on The One Show and Channel 4's The Piano, supported artists including RAYE and The Wombats, won songwriting competitions judged by Paul McCartney, and performed at festivals including All Points East, Isle of Wight Festival and Montreux Jazz Festival.

https://henley-festival.co.uk