iluvlive marks 21st year with next chapter of growth - Kicking off with artist showcase at The Great Escape

13 May 2025 - Press release

iluvlive Presents: DeeRiginal, JERUB, Olympia Vitalis and STORRY

Thursday 15th May, Dust, 77 East St, Brighton, 12:15 - 15:30
More information and tickets here

Respected live music and talent development not-for-profit organisation iluvlive has announced it will mark its 21^st year under the stewardship of Managing Director Lauren Louise Powell, who leads the organisation into its next chapter of growth with a series of new brand developments, collaborations and initiatives across the year that continue iluvlive’s commitment to creating opportunities for live performance, networking, collaboration, artist development and discussions.

iluvlive has been shaping Black British music since 2004 and the first event will be a talent showcase ‘iluvlive Presents’ at The Great Escape Festival in Brighton on Thursday 15^th May at Dust, supported by PPL Giving, with rising talent including DeeRiginal, JERUB, Olympia Vitalis and STORRY. All artists on the lineup have received support or participated in iluvlive’s Artist Development programme and reflect the rich diversity, creativity, and genre-blending innovation that defines the organisation.

This is followed by The Break, a brand new event series designed to support aspiring industry professionals with talks, career support and networking. The first, kicking off on 22^nd May, is in collaboration with respected festival City Splash with Lauren Louise Powell and Ben Ryan (City Splash Founder) hosting with panellists producer and instrumentalist PRGRSHN and tour manager & show producer Neicee Oakley. The rest of the year will see the continuation of The Break, alongside bi-monthly R&B platform Bloom in partnership with Everything RNB, plus a series of jam events at Boxpark and a new rap-focused event in partnership with creative collective Vibbar to be announced.

Founded in 2004 by Jade Richardson (respected A&R and Board Director), but under the stewardship of CEO Rachael Bee (industry visionary, artist manager, and entrepreneur) for the last 17 years, iluvlive has been at the forefront of nurturing emerging talent and shaping Black British music for 21 years. It has showcased some of the biggest names at the start of their careers including Ed Sheeran, Wretch 32, Ghetts, Kano, Little Simz, Kojey Radical, Ella Mai, Tom Grennan, and Mahalia, as well as industry luminaries like Alec and Alex Boateng, Remel London, and Eunice Obianagha. From R&B to Grime, the iluvlive stage continues to champion some of the most exciting names in Black British music, with artist development alumni including Nao, Izzy Bizu, Bawo, Sans Soucis, Lylo Gold, Jords, and Emmavie. iluvlive grew from humble beginnings to deliver over 70+ events a year across six UK cities, supporting over 350 acts and reaching an audience of more than 7,000 on the ground and over two million online annually.

Lauren Louise Powell, iluvlive Managing Director said, “I’m incredibly proud to lead iluvlive into its 21st year with this announcement. Our return to The Great Escape and the new brand The Break, in collaboration with City Splash, both demonstrate our work over the past 21 years, highlighting and supporting Black talent and those from other global majority communities. We are excited to kick off our summer live music jam series at Boxpark, along with our new rap series, as we celebrate this milestone year. As we innovate and empower Black voices in music to grow. iluvlive is committed to creating opportunities for live performance, networking, collaboration, artist development, and discussions. It’s a special time for iluvlive, and we consistently strive to be a key player in the talent pipeline, bringing our community-focused work to the wider music industry. Being part of The Great Escape is essential to that mission, with thanks to PPL Giving for their support, which allowed us to make this showcase possible, and Arts Council England for their ongoing support, without which iluvlive would not be here at all.”

Rachael Bee, CEO of iluvlive said “I was incredibly proud to pass the MD baton to Lauren after 17 years at the helm and it’s really exciting to see the new events brand she is developing for our 21st year and beyond. The fact that Lauren started with us as an intern and is now MD speaks volumes about our commitment to nurturing talent at every level. It’s been quite a journey over 21 years, and for a small company, we’re proud to have consistently punched above our weight. iluvlive was where Tinie Tempah and Ed Sheeran performed their final performances as independent artists, where Jessie J performed her own songs the first time. It is where Emeli Sande met Naughty Boy, where Wretch 32 performed with a live band for the first time (the infamous iluvlive house band), where Mahalia performed at 14, where Ed Sheeran met Jamal Edwards and where Krept and Konan cut their teeth.  Added to this are the live musicians, presenters, media professionals and executives that have come through Iluvlive’s team at the start of their careers. The impact we’ve made on live Black British music is undeniable, and we can’t wait to see what the next 21 years will bring.”

Jade Richardson, iluvlive Founder and Board Director said: “iluvlive was born out of frustration - there just weren't enough spaces in London to see the Black artists we loved perform live. Now, looking back on 21 years and the incredible talent that’s graced our stages, it’s truly humbling. I’m genuinely excited to see how Lauren takes the brand forward, championing emerging British talent and creating real opportunities through live performance.”