Hard Rock Rising is live. Come watch. Vote in the cafe. Support your local sound.

AMBER is a London-born singer-songwriter who took a leap of faith, leaving behind a traditional career to pursue music full-time.
Her music blends pop and soul, with piano-led melodies, emotionally rich vocals and a focus on music that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. Her songwriting explores the messier side of love and human connection: the ways we lose ourselves trying to hold onto someone, watching people we love change, and ultimately learning to choose ourselves.

Her cover performances have reached a global audience on YouTube, with millions of views across my most popular performances. But this year she is officially releasing original music. Ultimately, she wants her music to leave people feeling something, whether that’s nostalgia, hope, heartbreak, healing or the feeling that a song has put words to something they thought only they felt.

Jade Thornton is a 26 year old busker/singer-songwriter from South London. She has been singing since she can remember and started to learn guitar at the age of 14, after convincing her parents to get lessons. Song-writing was an obstacle for her to overcome, but went on to place top 10 in the country in the ‘Song Academy’s Young Songwriter’ competition with her song ‘Only Me’ in 2017 and took part in the 2017 Mayor of London’s ‘Busk in London’ competition.

After completing her academic years, gaining qualifications in music performance and music technology, and trying various jobs, she decided to take the plunge and do music full time. In 2021, Jade was lucky enough to get two cover tracks on ITVs 'Love Island', amassing over 50,000 streams. She also released her debut studio EP titled ‘Pages’, which consists of 5 original songs and can be found on all major streaming platforms.
Now you can find Jade frequently performing at weddings and private events across the UK and busking across London in her spare time. She has even taken her music to Amsterdam, Norway, Spain and as of October 2022; South Korea, where she placed in the top 60 for the 1st Buskers World Cup.

RIKKI LEE is a Malaysian-born, London-based guitarist, singer-songwriter and producer blending modern pop with alt-rock grit, groove-driven production and expressive lead guitar. Influenced by artists like St. Vincent, JENNIE and Joe Satriani, RIKKI brings together infectious pop songwriting and strong guitar work in her music. The guitar is a central voice, not just an accessory. Guitar riffs, solos and melodic lines woven into contemporary pop production.

Her debut album *21st Century Rockstar* reflects that collision of worlds, combining vocal-led songs with guitar-driven instrumentals and challenging expectations of what a modern guitarist can be. RIKKI’s music has received support from BBC Radio 1 Future Alternative, Amazing Radio and Malaysia’s Hitz FM. She has performed at venues and festivals including Download Festival, Wembley Arena and Electric Ballroom, and has worked with artists including PinkPantheress, JADE and Rita Ora.

Please Note: This is a standing experience with space available on a first come, first served basis. Grab a drink, enjoy the live music, and support your favourite local artists.