Henley Festival Presented by Hemani has announced Welsh-Ghanaian artist Adjua as the first-ever recipient of the Audi Presents RISE Music Award, a new initiative designed to identify, support and accelerate emerging musical talent in the UK.
Launched in partnership with Audi, the award forms part of the festival’s wider RISE programme, which has been developed to nurture the next generation of creatives working across music, visual arts and backstage production.
The initiative offers artists performance platforms, industry mentoring, professional development opportunities and access to established creative networks.
Adjua, who has quickly emerged as one of the UK’s most compelling new voices, will also perform at this year’s Henley Festival, taking to the stage with her genre-blending sound that fuses indie-grunge R&B with Afro and funk influences.
Raised in Splott, Cardiff, she has already built significant momentum within the UK music scene. Her work has been supported by initiatives including the PPL Momentum Accelerator, BBC Horizons Launchpad Fund and Youth Music’s NextGen Fund.
International appearances at SXSW and Glastonbury have further established her as a rising artist to watch, known for emotionally rich songwriting and distinctive production style.
Speaking about the award, Adjua said it marks a defining moment in her career. She highlighted the significance of performing at Henley Festival alongside established global artists and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share her music with a wider audience.
Audi, which has been the official car partner to Henley Festival since 2019, has played a central role in shaping the RISE programme. Camilla Foster, Lifestyle and Corporate Communications Manager at Audi UK, described Adjua as an “incredibly deserving inaugural winner” and emphasised the brand’s commitment to supporting the next generation of musicians.
Henley Festival CEO Jo Bausor added that the award reflects the festival’s long-standing commitment to creativity and opportunity, noting that the RISE programme is designed to open doors for emerging artists at a pivotal stage in their careers.
This year’s Audi Presents RISE Music line-up also features a diverse group of emerging performers, including artists who have appeared on television programmes such as The One Show and The Piano, as well as acts who have supported major artists including RAYE and The Wombats. Previous and current participants have also performed at leading festivals such as All Points East, Isle of Wight Festival and Montreux Jazz Festival.
Running from 08 to 12 July 2026, Henley Festival remains the UK’s only black-tie music and arts festival, blending world-class live music with comedy, visual art, sculpture, fine dining and fireworks on the banks of the River Thames.
This year’s programme includes headline performances from acts such as Boy George & Culture Club, Sugababes, Lulu, Björn Again, Alex James, and the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra with special guest Laura Mvula.
