Corinne Bailey Rae will headline the second edition of Billboard U.K. Live, a new live music series celebrating artists who shape culture and define sound.
In partnership with Aviva, who joins as Presenting Partner, Billboard U.K. will bring fans, leaders and industry leaders together for a one-night-only experience that blends performance and storytelling.
Taking place at Manchester’s Aviva Studios, home of Factory International, on Dec. 2, Grammy Award-winning artist Corinne Bailey Rae will perform an intimate set in The Hall, as well as partake in an exclusive Q&A session with Billboard U.K. editor Thomas Smith.
Tickets for the event are free and will be awarded via a ballot. Register here before Nov. 17, 9 a.m. GMT for the chance to win two tickets for you and a guest. Successful applicants will be contacted by Nov. 19. Attendees must be age 18 or over.
Throughout an illustrious career, Bailey Rae has established herself as a singular voice in British music. Her self-titled 2005 debut LP peaked at No. 1 on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart, spawning hits “Put Your Records On” and “Like a Star.” She collected a Grammy in 2012 for best R&B performance, and two of her albums, The Sea (2010) and Black Rainbows (2023), were nominated for the Mercury Prize.
The latter record saw the singer-songwriter pen a striking meditation on the history of Black experience she discovered at the Stony Island Arts Bank archive in Chicago. It landed her vast acclaim in the U.K., with critics praising Bailey Rae’s genre-spanning approach, blending influences across rock, electronica, jazz, hardcore punk and the African diaspora.
“We can’t wait to welcome audiences to Aviva Studios for an incredible night with Corinne Bailey Rae, brought to life through our exciting partnership with Billboard U.K.,” said Tom Whiteside, group head of sponsorship, Aviva. “This is all about celebrating music, creativity and the unique energy of this amazing venue.”
The show will follow the inaugural Billboard U.K. Live experience, which took place at The Great Escape festival in Brighton this past May. The event featured a wealth of emerging talent including Daffo, RIP Magic and Westside Cowboy, alongside headliners English Teacher, the winners of the 2024 Mercury Prize.
“Our collaboration with Aviva reflects a shared vision to create meaningful moments for artists and their fans across the U.K.,” said Elizabeth Crisante, chief commercial officer, Billboard U.K. “Hosting Corinne Bailey Rae at Aviva Studios brings that vision to life, with a globally acclaimed artist performing in one of the country’s most inspiring cultural spaces.”
Stay tuned to uk.billboard.com and @billboarduk on social media for further information on the event.
