Royal Albert Hall's 'Young Producers' Launch First Festival

Street performers and fashion designers will star in the first festival from the Royal Albert Hall's Young Producers: a group of 18-25 year olds curating their own events at the famous venue after six months of mentoring.

A "celebration of creative expression in the arts", Collide will take over the Hall's Elgar Room for two days in April, and consist of a fashion show focusing on new trends that embrace people from different backgrounds, and an intimate live music event spotlighting unsung new artists deserving of a proper showcase.

The headline music act for the fashion show will be Ryan De La Cruz, with designs from future tastemakers from NuNude, while the music evening will include DIDI, Alex RV Philips and a host of others.

Rory Boyle, a Hall steward, radio presenter, and one of the Young Producers, said: ''This is the first time a group of 18-25 year-olds have been given the opportunity to programme a series of events at the Royal Albert Hall.

''Over two consecutive evenings, we will be showcasing some of the best young talent the UK has to offer: from fashion designers, to DJs and musicians, to street performers. These are inclusive events, championing diversity and celebrating unity. I could not be more excited for our audiences to experience these unforgettable evenings."

Collide is the first event from the Young Producers, a group of ambitious young people who are passionate about live events. They have been carefully selected to take part in this new initiative, organized by the Royal Albert Hall for people aged 18-25. Working alongside professionals at the venue, these creative individuals are gaining a first-hand insight into the world of programming events and all the processes involved in it.

Young Producers, part of the venue's Education & Outreach programme, is unique in giving its creators the freedom to develop the event they feel mostly passionate about. Every decision from their work is mentored by a designated member of the team at the Royal Albert Hall, who share their experience and knowledge about the specific topic.

Ryan De La Cruz is a rising artist in the formative stages of his career, bubbling up out of London Town amongst a new generation of self-realised superstars. According to Nation of Billions, "Ryan is a complex artist. He can rap, but he is primarily a singer who comfortably slides through many styles ... he is a very dope artist who will carve out his own lane and sound. He's coming through and you should definitely know about him."

Punk producer and performer DIDI has been championed by the likes of Chris Hawkins and Tom Robinson. At 22, she is the youngest member of the Music Producers Guild, and moved into solo performance in March 2017. Her song 'Awkward' has been heralded as an LGBTQ anthem.

Tickets for Collide are on sale from today (Friday), priced £8 per night or £12 for the weekend, at www.royalalberthall.com

The Royal Albert Hall is the world's most famous stage. Over the past 147 years, it has hosted everyone from Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein and Edward Elgar to The Beatles, Ella Fitzgerald and Adele. Last year, its breathtaking auditorium presented 386 events by the world's greatest performers - taking in rock, pop and classical music, dance, films, Cirque du Soleil and even tennis - with the magical setting and inspired artists creating amazing memories for audiences.

Opened in 1871 to fulfil Prince Albert's vision of a central hall to promote the arts and sciences, the Hall is a registered charity that remains true to his founding ambitions within a modern context. It hosts more than 1,000 events a year in its secondary space, the Elgar Room, and beyond, broadening the Hall's appeal to incorporate younger and more diverse audiences.

Its Education & Outreach programme reaches more than 185,000 participants each year, working with schools, young people and the community, as well as other charities such as Music for Youth, as part of its extensive public benefit remit. It creates memories, changes lives and provides inspiration through music for all, regardless of age or background.

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