It was an honour to be invited back to run the live stage in The American Express VIP Lounge at The O2 during the Country 2 County Festival 2026.
We met with so many artists and friends – and made many new friends too.
Special shout out to the musicians who joined us to play:
Brooke Law; Dom Glynn & His Sunday Best; Gina Larner; Jonny, Eve & The Two Joes; Luke Flear; Savannah Gardner; Sean Duggan; The Jackson Line and Two Ways Home
All brilliant – as evidenced by the incredible audience reaction.
On Sunday night at 11.30 – after 3 days of extraordinary Country Music the lounge lit up with cries for “One More Song”
Luke Flear obliged and we all headed into the night with fond memories of an extraordinary weekend at The O2
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TALENTBANQ are pleased to offer two exceptional venues right in the heart of London. In fact, a few paces from historic Denmark Street and just a minute’s walk from Tottenham Court Road tube station.
21Soho Main Venue offers a gig space with flexible standing and seated options from 150 to 250.
Main Venue has full backline, great sound and lights – plus multi-camera video options for recording.
21Soho Below provides an intimate 40-cap room for awesome acoustic sets.
As promoter TALENTBANQ adds Box Office, Marketing Support and full event management to include sound technicians and hosts on the night.
We are now booking for both venues so if you are an artist that feels a beautiful 40-cap room is right for you – or a band that feels 150 to 250 in the heart of Soho sounds hot…get in touch.
We have venue packs with full details ready to send.
Contact 21soho@talentbanq.com
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Iris & Steel are a British indie folk group with a timeless and original sound.
Their songs are intimate and uplifting, carried by soulful strings, sophisticated songwriting and three-part harmonies.
Based in London, the all-female and non-binary quartet comprises guitarist and lead songwriter Lydia Higman, lead vocalist Olivia Poust, cellist George Lloyd-Owen and violinist Athena Hawksley-Walker.
After forming at University and first sharing their music via social media during lockdown, the band funded their self-produced debut EP ‘What People Do’ via Kickstarter in 2022.
Iris & Steel have built up a loyal following through their captivating live shows including three sold-out London headlines at Paper Dress Vintage, The Waiting Room, The Camden Club; a Camden Assembly residency; as well as a packed-out performance at Latitude Festival ‘23, after being personally invited to perform by George Ezra, who discovered the band on Spotify. They formed part of Ezra’s specially curated line-up for The Alcove; the stage billed by Latitude as discovering the stars of tomorrow.
Iris & Steel released their 2nd EP ‘Colour Of My Mind’ on 23rd May 2025, produced by Michael Smith at RYP Recordings, celebrating with a special one-off show at Camden’s Green Note.
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Nestled in a tiny Rutland village this awesome country pub hosts live music nights that can only be described as EPIC.
Our Voices Radio DJ has been kindly sponsored by an anonymous individual donation. Someone who truly cares and wants to see young people in the cultural sector thrive.
Sasha Samara is your “friendly neighbourhood popstar,” blending heartfelt songwriting with soaring vocals and sharp, character-driven lyricism inspired by Taylor Swift, Paramore and RAYE.
A winner of the 2020 Northern Irish Music Prize for Best New Artist, she’s become known for her electrifying, joy-filled live shows and fearless confessional storytelling that instantly draws audiences in.
After cutting her teeth in Belfast’s grassroots venues, Sasha has gone on to perform at the Northern Irish Music Prize ceremony (2021), Other Voices Cardigan (2022), and support iconic Irish songwriter James Vincent McMorrow at Belfast’s Mandela Hall in 2024.
Now based in London, she’s charging full speed toward the next chapter of her pop stardom.
We can’t wait to see the great music and performances she has coming up!
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Madeline lives in a constant state of reinvention, pouring a new self into every performance and firmly establishing her place in the London folk scene.
“There is nothing exceptional in her singing, except that for when she sings, the whole of London turns inside out” – Gabriel Moreno
Her music with its unique alchemy of soul baring lyrics and a fearless dry wit, debuted with “No One Can Have Me” coming out in March of this year.
Hailing from Preston in North West England, Madeline credits the grey skies of suburbia as the catalyst for her desire to create.
Her lyrics are haunted by a cynical giddy self-awareness – this itself the vessel for her delicately strung explorations of religion, womanhood and modern-world-living.
Madeline Thorp’s SOLD-OUT show at Green Note in May 2025 absolutely wowed us – we couldn’t be more excited to see what she does next!
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Drenched in rustic folk and thunderous Americana Rock, Morganway delivers a sonic punch that leaves you breathless. Their music is a paradox: both intimate and expansive, vulnerable and powerful. Prepare to be swept away by a performance that transcends genre and leaves an indelible mark.
Championed by the likes of Planet Rock radio and Whispering Bob Harris, Morganway has earned a reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting live acts.
Following sold-out tours across the UK and Germany, and support slots with artists as diverse as Belle & Sebastian, Skunk Anansie, Elles Bailey, Sunny Sweeney and Fanny Lumsden, their cross-pollinating sound continues to thrive on the festival circuit. With mainstage appearances at Shrewsbury Folk Festival, Country Calling, Fairport’s Cropredy Convention, The Long Road, Towersey Folk Festival and Belladrum; the multi award-winning band have been crowned the BCMA’s Group of the Year for four consecutive years and were nominated for Live Act of the Year at the 2025 UK Americana Awards.
Samuel Ashton’s music has been described as “Deliciously Soulful” by the BBC’s Leo Ulph and as “A celebration of pure, unfiltered soul and passion” by Black Deer Live.
Samuel’s soul voice and classic RnB sound have seen him sell out shows across the UK and make waves with over 500k streams on Spotify and radio play on the BBC, throughout Europe, the United States and Australia.
Cene Magazine’s Joe Bill writes “Blessed with soaring vocals that feel like a warm jumper keeping you safe from the cold”; backed up by his accomplished band, The Instincts, 2025 promises to see them set stages alight with their captivating live performances.
Before, between and after the live bands we will be entertained by the wonderful team at Voices Radio.
Voices Radio is an ever-growing community of DJs and radio hosts.
The Venue : 21 Soho
21 Soho is an awesome venue that will be new to many. Just off Soho Square and a minutes walk down the newly developed Soho Place opposite Tottenham Court Road Station.
We are so excited to introduce audiences to 21 Soho. Easy to find and a whole new world of music to discover.
Get ready for two Red Hot Bands – Morganway and Samuel Ashton & the Instincts – live at the perfect venue on 28th January!
100% Be In The Room.
Timings:
Doors: 7pm
Bars Close: 11pm
Stuff to Note:
This gig is mostly standing
Under 18’s must be accompanied – No under 16’s
Photography and video passes by application only
When artists are on stage the audience is asked to STFU
This event celebrates the 8th Anniversary of TALENTBANQ – Please come ready to party
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Marianne Leigh, an emerging indie-pop artist and “promising new pop star” (Jodie Bryant, BBC Radio 1), channels the trials of adolescence into her confessional music.
The New Zealand native, now based in London, garnered attention with her BBC Radio 1 playlisted track ‘obsessed’.
“We just found your new favourite rising artist! Marianne Leigh is giving us the angsty pop-punk we’ve always dreamed of” – The Honey Pop.
Before relocating, she toured twice in New Zealand, was playlisted on Air NZ flights and placed in the Top 50 on Australian radio.
Following the rotation of Marianne’s music on BBC Music Introducing and BBC Radio 6, the artist took the stage at BBC Radio’s Lincolnshire Live Festival and London’s Hanwell Hootie Festival.
Described as “one of the most exciting new artists” by BBC radio host Dean Jackson, Marianne’s latest EP ‘fix-me-up’ is a heartfelt project with a pop-rock edge.
Marianne Leigh’s relocation across the globe, driven by her unwavering passion for music, underlines her commitment to her craft.
We can’t wait to see the great music and performances she has coming up – one of them being headlining at Next Door Records Two, in March 2026.
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Naiko’s music is a raw, soulful exploration of transformation, love, and self-discovery, blending poetic storytelling with groove-driven rhythms and expansive soundscapes. His voice, shaped by gospel ensembles and choir experiences, carries an emotional depth and authenticity that draws listeners into a deeply immersive experience.
Beginning his musical journey as a drummer and backing vocalist for other artists, Naiko discovered his own voice through a period of personal challenges and introspection. These experiences prompted a spiritual awakening, guiding him toward a truth that continues to evolve and inform his artistry. Music became both a mirror and a vessel for self-expression, allowing him to translate complex emotions into sound that resonates with listeners.
Naiko’s artistry is informed by a rich tapestry of influences, from classical and jazz to neo-soul and pop. His exploration of melody, harmony, and rhythm – shaped by early experiences with African drumming, piano, and guitar – has cultivated a sound that is simultaneously intimate and expansive. Every note and lyric reflects his journey, inviting listeners to move, reflect, and connect on a deeper level.
His songs demand attention, evoke emotion, and take listeners somewhere new, creating a space where vulnerability, reflection, and joy coexist.
Inspired by artists like John Mayer, for his lyrical depth and guitar work, and Jason Mraz, for his wordplay and acoustic sensibility, Naiko fuses storytelling with musical craftsmanship.
With a sound that is both personal and universal, Naiko’s music speaks to anyone seeking authenticity, emotional resonance, and an invitation to feel fully alive. Each release is a step further into his ongoing journey of self-discovery and musical expression.
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