> Beyond The Stage

Projects &
Initiatives

The ideas, artists and festivals we put our name behind, not just the ones we book.

Crowd at Where It All Began

> A New Festival

Where It All Began

An alternative to the current independent festival model, a celebration of strictly independent music and grassroots culture. A collaborative event bringing together independent festivals, grassroots venues, promoters, curators and the huge community of artists and crews we've met over 27 years.

Same people, same standards. A whole new scale.

Find Out More

> The Bigger Picture

Grassroots Supporter

We're all too aware of the problems faced by the independent industry, the same issues we've faced for years, now amplified. "The global elite's vision for our future is not one we share." The opportunities and solutions are beginning to present themselves, and it feels like there's genuine hope that we can be the change we wish to see: to bring people together, build a new foundation, nurture the roots, and grow.

We've devised a collection of initiatives built around bringing people of like mind together, to encourage activity, participation and taking responsibility for our futures and those of our children. Even if we fail, we'll have been culturally enriched, and stood up for our truth.

Visit Grassroots Rising
The Chai Wallahs crowd, close together

> Artist Development

Who we help grow

Two acts we've backed beyond the booking, from stage time to studio time.

JAMU

Supported Project

JAMU

HIP-HOP, REGGAE, TRIP-HOP, DRUM & BASS

A fresh musical collective led by turntablist Mr Fitz, delivering a bold, big sound that's impossible to ignore: bass-heavy beats and genre-defying rhythms, with a live horn section behind MCs including Dr Syntax, Killa P, Binbag Wisdom and Blackout JA on debut album Hear The Sound.

Meet JAMU →
CONN3CT

Artist Development

CONN3CT

SOUL, HIP-HOP

A project born out of a desire to connect souls, musical heritage and powerful female spirit: Bristol's MĀDŁY, London's Amy True and Sheffield's Aziza Jaye sharing one monumental 90-minute show, with a house band that transforms live from Hip-Hop to Neo Soul to Afro-Jazz.

Meet CONN3CT →
Amy TrueArtist
Spotlight
Amy True live
On stage at Shambala, 2019.

> Artist Spotlight

AMY TRUE

HIP-HOP · JAZZ · SOUL

A MOBO “One to Watch,” a former member of the acclaimed rap collective Caxton Press, and integral part of The People’s Army, she is known for her raw honesty, uncompromising delivery, and deep connection to grassroots culture.

We first built a Chai Wallahs night around Amy in 2020, and we've backed her ever since: headline shows in Bristol, seasons on the Chai festival stage, and a place at the heart of Conn3ct, our project celebrating powerful female spirit. Her politicised, soulful hip-hop is exactly the kind of voice grassroots stages exist for, so for us backing her has never meant one booking. It means years of stages, nights and new work together.

“I have had [Chai Wallahs] support and it has made me feel safe in the industry.”Amy True, Conn3ct mini doc
Meet Amy True

> Artist Spotlight merch

Take Amy True home

Take the music home and back the artist: Eleven on vinyl and CD, bundled with our own Chai tees, hoodies and beanies.

  • The Record Bundle: Eleven on vinyl + Chai Wallahs tee£40

    The Record Bundle

    Eleven on vinyl + Chai Wallahs tee

    Coming soon
  • The CD Bundle: Eleven on CD + Chai Wallahs beanie£25

    The CD Bundle

    Eleven on CD + Chai Wallahs beanie

    Coming soon
  • The Hoodie Bundle: Eleven on vinyl + Chai Wallahs hoodie£65

    The Hoodie Bundle

    Eleven on vinyl + Chai Wallahs hoodie

    Coming soon
  • The Full Spotlight: Eleven on vinyl and CD + Grassroots Supporter hoodie + Chai Wallahs tee£110

    The Full Spotlight

    Eleven on vinyl and CD + Grassroots Supporter hoodie + Chai Wallahs tee

    Coming soon