Henley Festival has named its first-ever winner of the new Audi Presents RISE Music Award, and it’s one of the most exciting new voices in British music. Welsh-Ghanaian artist Adjua takes the inaugural prize and will perform at this year’s festival, which runs on the banks of the Thames from 8th to 12th July 2026.
From Splott to the Riverside Stage
Raised in Splott, Cardiff, Adjua has quickly become a name to watch. Her sound is a distinctive mix of indie-grunge and R&B, threaded with Afro and funk influences, and her emotionally rich songwriting has already drawn plenty of support.
She’s a recipient of the PPL Momentum Accelerator, has been backed by BBC Horizons’ Launchpad Fund and Youth Music’s NextGen Fund, and has played both SXSW and Glastonbury.
“Winning the Audi Presents RISE Music Award is an incredible milestone in my career,” she said. “To perform at Henley Festival alongside some of the biggest names in music is a truly special opportunity.”
A New Chapter for RISE
The award marks a significant step for RISE, Henley Festival’s charitable programme supporting the next generation of creatives in music, visual art and backstage production. Through the partnership, Audi, the festival’s Official Car Partner since 2019, will help give breakthrough artists performance opportunities, mentoring, professional guidance and access to industry networks.
Henley Festival CEO Jo Bausor said the festival has always been about opening doors for emerging artists, calling Adjua “an exceptional artist” at an important stage in her career.
The 2026 RISE Music Line-Up
Adjua joins a line-up of new talent whose credits range from appearances on The One Show and Channel 4’s The Piano to supporting RAYE and The Wombats, winning a songwriting competition judged by Paul McCartney, and playing All Points East, Isle of Wight Festival and Montreux Jazz Festival.
This year’s RISE Music artists: Emily Wishart, Llinos Emanuel, The Public Eye, Josephine Shaw, Emre, 3 Days of Wonder, Charlotte Campbell, Tony Mac, Bruna Garcia, Natalie McCool, Adjua, Black Gloss Wardrobe and Jack Browett.
Festival Details
Event: Henley Festival Presented by Hemani
Dates: 8th to 12th July 2026
Where: Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
Tickets and line-up: henley-festival.co.uk
Festival photography: Garry Jones Photography
