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Rizzle Kicks Announce 2026 Alexandra Palace Show

Rasika Gupta — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 11:59:54 +0000

Rizzle Kicks have announced a show in London for next year at Alexandra Palace, making this as their biggest headline show of their career.

The pop-rap duo from Brighton will perform on stage at Alexandra Palace in London May 22. It’ll take place in support of their comeback album ‘Competition Is For Losers’.

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When talking about the importance of the show, the band said, “The first football team I ever played for was the Alexandra Palace Broncos. I would go to fireworks night there every single year. I would go ice skating every Christmas.”

“Ally Pally was such a big part of my life and now I get to play there. A genuine dream come true.”

The band rose to fame in the early 2010s with their blend of rap, pop, and soul. Formed in Brighton, the pair gained attention after releasing their debut album ‘Stereo Typical’ in 2011, which reached number five in the UK album chart and had hit singles such as ‘Down with The Trumpets’ and ‘Mama Do the Hump’.

Their combination of playful lyrics and upbeat style made them favourites on the UK music scene, earning them nominations for several major awards such as BRIT and MOBO Awards.

They became regulars on British television shows, appearing on shows such as ‘The Graham Norton Show’ and ‘Top of the Pops’, as well as performing at high-profile events such as the BRIT Awards and BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend.

Their second album, ‘Roaring 20s‘ (released in 2023), showcased a more mature sound of theirs whilst still maintaining their playful lyrics and upbeat style.

Beyond their music, both members pursued solo projects. Jordan Stephens went into acting, appearing on UK television series such as ‘Glue’, ‘Catastrophe’, and ‘Feel Good’, as well as advocating for mental health awareness. Harley Alexander-Sule performed under the name Jimi Charles Moody, focusing on more soulful music.

In November last year, the duo played their first show together in 10 years at KOKO in Camden Town in London. They later started a UK headline tour in March earlier this year.

Additionally, the group made appearances at multiple summer festivals, including Glastonbury, The Great Escape, and Victorious.

Rizzle Kicks will also play shows in the UK next month. The tour will consist of stops in Bristol, Cambridge, Norwich, Birmingham, Newcastle, and Liverpool. Remaining tickets to the shows can be found here.

UK 2025 Tour Dates:

November 12 – Bristol – O2 Academy Bristol

November 14 – Cambridge – Cambridge Corn Exchange

November 21 – Norwich – UEA

November 22 – Birmingham – O2 Academy Birmingham

November 27 – Newcastle – NX Newcastle

November 28 – Liverpool – Liverpool Guild Of Students Mountford Hall

General sale tickets for Rizzle Kicks’ show next year at Alexandra Palace October 31 at 10am, and tickets can be bought here.

Youth Music Launches ‘Rescue the Roots’ Campaign to Save Grassroots Projects

Lewis Pinto — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 01:02:03 +0000

Youth Music UK has launched an urgent £1 million fundraising campaign named ‘Rescue the Roots’, aimed at tackling the persistent funding crisis facing grassroots youth venues and music projects. The organisation announced the campaign alongside a set of alarming statistics, among which was the very real possibility that young people across 8 UK regions could lose access to music spaces within the next decade.

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The crisis is well-documented, with the main issues remaining: the years of funding cuts that have hit the arts sector hard, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis that sent bills spiraling. Statistics published as part of the campaign paint a bleak picture, with 41% of grassroots youth music projects are now at risk, a 17% increase from 2024, and half of Youth Music-funded spaces have waiting lists due to a lack of resources.

Another disturbing figure is that Youth Music can currently only fund 18% of all applications for help they receive, which leaves an estimated 260,000 young people without access to music spaces within their communities. The need for the urgent fundraising is paramount, with over a quarter of those lucky enough to receive funding from Youth Music still facing uncertainty over their future.

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In their own words, the ‘Rescue the Roots’ campaign is Youth Music prepared to seek a solution rather than just raising the alarm. As part of the effort, the organisation will also match every pound donated up to £1 million, taking the total fund up to £2 million. Youth Music estimates that this amount will provide support to over 18,000 young people.

Jordan Stephens, one half of Rizzle Kicks, has lent his support to the cause, even getting “Rescue the Roots” tattooed on his arm. Stephens was awarded the Youth Music Awards Grassroots Hero in 2024, and as a rallying cry, said, “Rescue the Roots isn’t just a phrase, it’s a call to arms and a plea for fundraising support – it is the most important thing we can do to safeguard the next generation of musical talent. If we don’t, there will be no new artists, no fresh sounds, no future for UK music.”

As working class young people strive to succeed in music and the wider creative industries, it is essential to retain other routes for talent development.

That’s why we are backing @YouthMusic‘s #RescueTheRoots with @jordanfstephens
Watch the documentary: https://t.co/Rm0D3hBorh

— The FAC (@FeaturedArtists) March 11, 2025

Back in November, Youth Music teamed up with music streaming platform Spotify to help save 15 youth spaces up and down the UK that were facing closure. On the partnership, Spotify’s Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Impact, Dina Gabriel said “By working with Youth Music, we can safeguard these spaces and the opportunities they create.”

The Music Venue Trust is another organisation fighting hard in this space, and has become one of the biggest voices for music venues. They were invited to Parliament to launch their 2024 report, with Kate Nash performing at the event, and shortly after being named as a patron of the trust. In December, MVT secured £60,000 through a partnership with Ticketmaster which supported the Pipeline Investment Fund.

The need for systemic change is obvious. Temporary measures can only paper over the cracks, but the ‘Rescue the Roots’ front-foot approach could be the catalyst for change that grassroots music spaces and venues so desperately need.

Rizzle Kicks Return with New Album ‘Competition Is for Losers’

Saskia Findlay — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 16:56:16 +0000

After years away from the spotlight, Rizzle Kicks have made a long-awaited return with their brand-new album, ‘Competition Is for Losers’, that was released on February 14, 2025. The duo, Jordan Stephens and Harley Sylvester, first rose to fame in the early 2010s with their infectious blend of hip-hop, pop, and cheeky lyricism. Now, they’re back with a project that showcases their signature playful energy while introducing a more refined and wiser side to their music.

The album is a mix of feel-good anthems and thoughtful storytelling, reflecting both their growth as artists and their ability to tap into nostalgic, carefree vibes. While it still carries the duo’s signature cheeky boyish charm, ‘Competition Is for Losers’ also explores deeper themes, touching on personal struggles, societal pressures, and the ever-changing nature of the music industry as they grow older. The production is fresh yet familiar, with jazz-infused beats, smooth brass sections, and catchy hooks that make it unmistakably Rizzle Kicks.

One of the standout tracks on the album is ‘Pleasure and Pain’, featuring the iconic Maverick Sabre. The song blends soulful melodies with hard-hitting lyrics, creating a track that is both uplifting and deeply emotional, reflected in the lyrics: “the day I saw that building on fire, my heart broke. There is still no justice, years later and there is still smoke”. Maverick Sabre’s distinctive voice adds a rawness to the song, complimenting the duo’s playful yet reflective lyricism. It’s a track that perfectly encapsulates the balance of light and dark tones that run throughout the album, capturing themes of joy while acknowledging the hardships that come with them.

Other highlights include ‘Bad Tattoo’, a reflective yet infectious track that explores the lingering marks of past relationships, and ‘What’s Your Plans’, which brings their signature playful energy while touching on themes of spontaneity, and embracing the unknown during a night out, basically living without care. The album as a whole serve as a reminder of why Rizzle Kicks were such a refreshing force when they first emerged, while also proving that their sound has evolved to suit where they are now in their lives and careers.

Rizzle Kicks first broke onto the scene in 2011 with their debut album ‘Stereo Typical’, which had hits like ‘Down with the Trumpets’ and ‘Mama Do the Hump’. Their unique fusion of hip-hop and indie-pop made them an instant success, and they quickly became known for their playful energy and vibrant live performances. Their 2013 second album, ‘Roaring 20s’, continued their success reaching number three on the Official Charts, but after a few years of touring and releasing singles, the duo gradually stepped away from the music industry to explore individual projects.

Now, with their long-awaited comeback, 2025 is shaping up to be a huge year for Rizzle Kicks. Alongside the release of ‘Competition Is for Losers’, the duo has announced a headline tour across the UK, giving fans the chance to experience their new music live. This new album and tour suggest that they’re ready to fully embrace this next chapter of their career.

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For longtime fans, ‘Competition Is for Losers’ is both a nostalgic return and an exciting step forward. It proves that while Rizzle Kicks may have taken a break, they haven’t lost the energy, humour, and charm that made them one of the UK’s most beloved acts. Whether you’ve been following them since their early days or you’re just discovering their music, this album is a must-listen, proof that they’re back, and better than ever.

Ticket information for the tour can be found here.

Rizzle Kicks announce new album ‘Competition Is For Losers’

Amy Maloney — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 11:48:58 +0000

Returning to the industry after a decade with their single ‘Javelin’ in August this year, Rizzle Kicks have continued to surprise their fans during their comeback with an announcement of a new album, ‘Competition Is For Losers’ set to release February 14, 2025.

In a post on X the duo expressed their excitement for the album’s release: “The secret’s out. No words can explain how excited we’ve been to tell you guys this. There’s nothing better than making music with your best friend and this body of work has some of our favourite tacks we ever created on it.”

COMPETITION IS FOR LOSERS. THE NEW ALBUM. OUT 14TH FEB 2025. https://t.co/UVS6IsCdtR pic.twitter.com/WxLkGPGSpJ

— Rizzle Kicks (@RizzleKicks) November 8, 2024

Their reunion thus far has seen them release second single, ‘Gumdrops’, and most recently their single ‘New Sport’ which accompanied the announcement of ‘Competition Is For Losers’.

This latest single ‘New Sport’ exhibits a sonically refined perspective of Rizzle Kicks, juxtaposing their earlier music from the 2010s. Perhaps this emerges from their personal and professional growth from the beginning of their hiatus a decade ago until now. There is no doubt that ‘Competition Is For Losers’ will mirror this through its funky and soulful melodies fused with thoughtful and carefully conducted lyricism.

The chart-topping hip hop duo from Brighton, comprised of Harley Alexander-Sule and Jordan Stephens were known for their early 2010s hits, including ‘Down With The Trumpets’ and ‘When I Was A Youngster’ from their 2011 debut album Stereo Typical. Yet, the pair decided to take a hiatus back in 2016 to pursue other endeavours, ranging from solo music careers to acting ventures.

Part of their comeback is partly due to them having the freedom to reflect on their overnight success along with the ability to acknowledge issues surrounding addiction and mental health, which had exacerbated in the spotlight. Afterall the pair were in their late teens when they were catapulted into stardom and were under immense pressure from record labels and the music industry.

Stephens, who has been open about his experiences surrounding addiction, sobriety and navigating his ADHD diagnosis, revealed via CelebMix that themes of sobriety would emerge on the album: “Not in a prescriptive way. But more like we did a lot of crazy stuff, but now we don’t”, along with paternity: “not just with Harley becoming a father and all the growth that comes with that role, but also in a larger sense as we get older, we feel a responsibility to share our wins and failures”.

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The return of Rizzle Kicks highlights a heightened era of nostalgia. Their music insights a youthful, tough-in-cheek spirit which appeals to listeners both past and present. This is no surprise given their sophomore album titled Roaring 20s peaked at number 3 on the official album chart back in 2013. However, when discussing the nature of their return to the industry in August with NME, Alexander-Sule declared Rizzle Kicks were going to prove they are “more than nostalgia” with their forthcoming project.

Rizzle Kicks have served nothing but style with their comeback this year. With ‘Competition Is For Losers’ on its way in February and their upcoming sold-out UK tour in March, Rizzle Kicks will wow crowds with their newfound wiseness and maturity within their R&B and jazz-infused tracks.