James Riley (support Mike Cohen)

James Riley is a songwriter and performer whose music sits at the intersection of folk, soul,and acoustic pop,root end in live tactile instrumentation and led by lyrics that favour story, subtlety and poetic flair. His guitar style is percussive and rhythmic, often acting as both melody and pulse, while his voice moves between quiet intimacy and raw declaration.

James’s debut album Transatlantica was recorded over two years in Nashville and released in 2020. When the pandemic hit, he began livestreaming rooftop concerts from his North London home, raising funds for local food banks and drawing national press attention. These sessions sparked Rooftop Assembly — a cross-genre side project that channels James’s songwriting roots, pairing them with Tottenham MC Kayes Mensah, live drums and a string quartet. Blending raw lyricism, grime rhythms and orchestral textures, their debut EP Storeys came out in 2024.

In 2025, James begins work on his second album — a collection of new songs written between London and the US, set for release in 2026.

“A folk genius” - BBC DJ Janice Long

“It hooked us on first listen…from the harmonies to the guitar work there’s nothing to not like” - Folk Radio UK

( Mike Cohen is a local singer songwriter and is promoting this event)