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Roots & Rhythms

A Black Music Heritage Live Showcase

Your sound carries generations. Now bring it to the stage. We’re calling singers, musicians, spoken-word artists, DJs, rappers and emerging creatives to perform at a one-day celebration of Black music, culture and heritage in Thamesmead.

Apply to perform How it works

Closes 23 October 2026 Free to apply About 10 minutes

  • Saturday, 14 November 2026
  • Sporting Club Thamesmead, South East London
  • 12PM–7PM · Doors open 2PM

The essentials

One day. One stage.
Generations of sound.

Venue

Sporting Club Thamesmead

Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ

Get directions

Time

12PM–7PM

Doors open 2PM

Application deadline

23 October 2026

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The showcase

Every rhythm has roots.

From spirituals to sound systems, highlife to grime, Black music has never been just music. It’s memory. It’s resistance. It’s joy, passed from voice to voice and generation to generation.

Roots & Rhythms is a live showcase honouring that legacy and the emerging artists writing its next chapter. Presented by Cr8 Focus in partnership with Black Culture Collective CIC, it’s a special community celebration of Black music, culture, heritage and creativity, right here in Thamesmead.

The lineage

  1. Spirituals
  2. Blues
  3. Gospel
  4. Jazz
  5. Calypso
  6. Highlife
  7. Soul
  8. Reggae
  9. Lovers Rock
  10. Hip-Hop
  11. Jungle
  12. Grime
  13. Afrobeats
  14. Amapiano
  15. You

The line doesn’t end here. It runs through you.

Presented by

Cr8 Focus

A Community Interest Company helping young people from underrepresented backgrounds access, navigate and thrive in the creative industries, because talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t.

In partnership with

Black Culture Collective CIC

Founded by Thamesmead residents in 2020 to celebrate African and Caribbean arts, culture, history and heritage, in the community and for the community.

Who should apply

If you create it, we want to hear it.

Whether you’ve been performing for years or you’re stepping up for the very first time, if your work speaks to Black music, culture or heritage, this stage is for you.

Singers & Vocalists

Soul, gospel, R&B, Afro-fusion and beyond. Bring the voice that stills a room.

Musicians & Instrumentalists

Keys, strings, horns, drums or something handmade. Let your instrument tell the story.

Spoken-Word Artists

Testimony, story and truth, delivered with rhythm and intent.

DJs

Selectors who can move a crowd through decades of sound, from roots to right now.

Rappers & MCs

Bars with substance. Flow with history. Presence that owns the mic.

Poets

Verses that honour where we’ve been and imagine where we’re going.

Other creatives

Something we haven’t imagined yet? If it connects to the culture, tell us about it.

Sound like you? Your spot in the line-up starts with one form. Apply to perform

Why perform

More than a slot on a line-up.

  1. 01

    Perform.

    Take the stage at a live showcase dedicated to Black music heritage, in front of a community audience that came to listen.

  2. 02

    Connect.

    Meet fellow artists, organisers and creatives from across the community. The kind of connections that open doors.

  3. 03

    Celebrate.

    Honour the sounds that raised us, and add your voice to the story of where Black music goes next.

The day will be captured on camera, and selected moments may be shared across Cr8 Focus channels. Your performance could reach far beyond the room.

How it works

Four steps between you and the stage.

Just you, your work and about ten minutes. Here’s exactly what happens next.

Start your application
  1. 1

    Now until 23 October 2026

    Express your interest

    Complete the seven-part form below. Tell us who you are, what you create and what you’d bring to the stage. Your progress saves as you go.

  2. 2

    As we curate

    We listen

    Our team reviews every submission, every link and every story, as we curate a programme that does the culture justice.

  3. 3

    If selected

    You hear from us

    Selected artists will be contacted with further information regarding performance opportunities, timings and next steps.

  4. 4

    Saturday, 14 November 2026

    Take the stage

    Join us at Sporting Club Thamesmead. Perform. Connect. Celebrate.

Please note: this is an expression of interest. Submission does not guarantee a performance slot. Cr8 Focus will curate the final programme and contact selected artists with further information.

Artist expression of interest form

Your stage is waiting.

Cr8 Focus, in partnership with Black Culture Collective CIC, presents Roots & Rhythms — A Black Music Heritage Live Showcase. We are calling singers, musicians, spoken-word artists, DJs, rappers and other emerging creatives to express their interest in performing at this special community event celebrating Black music, culture, heritage and creativity. Complete this form to express your interest. Submission does not guarantee a performance slot. Selected artists will be contacted with further information.

  • About 10 minutes
  • Saves as you go
  • Secure & private
Step 1 of 7 About 10 min left

All questions are required unless marked optional.

Section 1 of 7

About you

The basics, so we know who we’re talking to.

The name you perform under, if it’s different.

Include your country code if you’re outside the UK.

Age range

For example: Greenwich, Bexley, Lewisham or Southwark.

Section 2 of 7

Your creative practice

Tell us what you do and how you do it.

What type of creative are you?

Select all that apply.

For example: Afro-soul, UK rap, gospel, jazz, lovers rock, spoken word.

How long have you been performing or creating? (optional)

Up to 150 words. Think of it as your artist bio.

Section 3 of 7

Your performance

This is your pitch. Help us picture your moment on stage.

Tell us about the performance, creative work, presentation or contribution you would like to bring to the event.

How long would your proposed performance be?

Social media handles (optional)

Add any that apply.

Upload an artist photo / promotional image (optional)

1 image · JPG, PNG or WebP · Max 10 MB

Section 4 of 7

Availability & technical requirements

Help us plan the day around you.

Are you available on Saturday, 14 November 2026?

Would you be available for soundcheck/rehearsal before the event?

What equipment would you require for your performance? (optional)

Select all that apply.

Anything that helps you perform at your best: access needs, stage set-up, timings.

Section 5 of 7

Roots & Rhythms

The heart of it. Tell us why this matters to you, in your own words.

Section 6 of 7

Consent & agreement

The important bit. Please read each statement — they’re pre-ticked for convenience, and you can untick anything you don’t agree to.

Section 7 of 7

Final message

Almost there. Add anything else, then check your answers and send.

Review your answers before sending

Your answers are sent securely to the Cr8 Focus team and used only to assess and organise your potential participation.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

Still curious? Email the team at abi@cr8focus.com

Who can apply?

Singers, musicians, spoken-word artists, DJs, rappers, MCs, poets and other emerging creatives whose work connects with Black music, culture and heritage. Whether you’ve been performing for years or you’re just getting started, we’d love to hear from you.

Does applying guarantee me a performance slot?

No. This is an expression of interest, and submission does not guarantee a performance slot. Cr8 Focus will curate the final programme and contact selected artists with further information.

When is the application deadline?

Applications close on 23 October 2026. We recommend applying early. It only takes about ten minutes.

When and where is the event?

Saturday, 14 November 2026, 12PM–7PM (Doors open 2PM) at Sporting Club Thamesmead, Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ.

How long can my performance be?

Tell us what you have in mind: up to 5, 10 or 15 minutes, or choose “Other” and let us know. Timings will be confirmed with selected artists.

Is it free to apply?

Yes. Expressing your interest is completely free.

Can I apply if I’m under 18?

Yes, emerging creatives under 18 are welcome to express interest. We recommend letting a parent or guardian know you’re applying.

What equipment will be available?

Tell us what you’ll need in the form, from microphones and DJ equipment to playback, PA and amplification, plus any accessibility requirements. We’ll discuss technical details with selected artists.

How will my information be used?

Only to assess and organise your potential participation in Roots & Rhythms, as set out in the consent section of the form. Your answers are sent securely to the Cr8 Focus team.

Applications close 23 October 2026

The stage is set.
The next chapter is yours.

It takes about ten minutes to apply. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. This is it.

Apply to perform

abi@cr8focus.com
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