Rock the Strand

Taking place on Thursday, 26 October from 7.30pm, Rock the Strand is the perfect kick-start to the weekend, with a stellar line-up of acts confirmed in what promises to be a celebration of music to remember.

The event is completely free to attend with revellers being treated to over three hours of live music, with three acts hitting the stage in the Strand Palace hotel’s Lounge Bar.

Curated by industry legend Tony Moore, Rock the Strand will showcase an eclectic range of genres from indie alt-folk to country from emerging new talent and established acts, highlighting the UK’s varied and diverse musical landscape.

Guests will also be treated to an exclusive first live performance of acclaimed singer ILONA’s latest single ‘Safety Net’.

- Official Line Up –
7.30pm – 8.00pm: Abbey Burns
A new and exciting singer-songwriter from Newcastle, Abbey Burns began her music career at 14 and has performed live at local venues including the O2 Newcastle and The Cluny 2. Abbey’s distinctive voice has been described as captivating, with some confusing her with Ellie Goulding. Her influences include Ed Sheeran, Kate Bush and Elton John.



8.15pm – 8.45pm: Joel Bailey
Joel Bailey is a singer-songwriter knocking out soulful, blues inspired shuffles. His song 'Fake Tattoo' was selected by Paloma Faith as the winner of the 2010 Shure Creative Award for songwriting and he has since had the opportunity to perform at the 2012 Olympic Festival, Knebworth, The Emerging Proms at The Roundhouse, Rough Trade East, and The Natural History Museum. Joel has been featured on BBC London TV and radio, Amazing Tunes and in the Evening Standard and has been hailed by Simon Cowell as 'quite good.'


9.00pm-10.00pm: ILONA
ILONA is a truly original performer with a unique tone, a natural send of dynamics and the ability to sing a lyric, tell a story and make people know she means it. BBC London described her voice as “a blend of some of the greatest singers of the last 30 years in one person.” ILONA has gone from doing her first every solo performance (with only ONE song) to headlining festival stages and touring the UK and US, as well as reaching number 2 on the iTunes pop charts with “Back to You”. After months of songwriting ILONA is launching her latest single Safety Net, with an exclusive first live performance at Rock the Strand before it is released on October 27th.