Based in Tottenham, Ten87 Studios introduces radial, a new 250-capacity arts, music and culture venue for live music, performances and cultural events launching on 5th September.
A space developed around sound, radial represents the next chapter in Ten87’s journey, expanding on their creative ecosystem from music making into live performance. The venue will host live music, listening events, talks and performances. With their programme rooted in active listening, expect intimate performances, eclectic club nights, artist-led experiments including workshops and soundbased wellness. Designed by creative studio SODA, taking inspiration from Olafur Eliasson’s ‘the weather project’; a circular radial sun art installation. The radial concept shapes every aspect of the physical experience – from how people arrive and gather, to how they move through, watch performances and connect with one another.
With capacity for 250-300 standing, or up to 80 seated, achieved using flexible Japanese-style loungers, the space is centered around a main performance room featuring a 10 point custom built system with precisely designed acoustics. This has been led by renowned acoustician Nick Whitaker whose work includes the legendary nightclub Plastic People. Together, they’ve created a sound-first environment that is both precise, and purpose-built for deep, long-form listening.
Founded in 2014 by Rob Burn and Romy Quinnen, Ten87 Studios was born from Rob’s firsthand experience as a music producer and a desire to address the shortage of high-quality, creative space for London’s music scene. Ten87 runs three sites across Tottenham, providing more than 60 recording studios and creative workspaces for artists, producers, engineers, songwriters and audio professionals. Over the past decade, the studios have supported artists including Fontaines D.C Wolf Alice, PC Music, Sherelle, Mount Kimbie and many more
Romy, who’s also a recording artist said ‘Smaller venues are essential to London’s musical ecosystem. Sadly we’ve watched so many closures over recent years. We just want to give people a new space for culture and connection. Which feels important now, more than ever.’
Rob, who previously worked as a producer for multiple labels and studios says ‘A venue was always at the centre for our vision for the building, small venues are essential for the artists within our studio community. When the previous venue closed, it left a big void. We’re extremely excited to relaunch it ourselves. It feels like a natural next step for the business and we hope to build on the incredible cultural legacy of Tottenham.’
radial is supported by Arts Council England’s ‘Supporting Grassroots Music’ fund, backing a national need to strengthen the spaces where new talent, new audiences and sustainable music careers are developed. For radial, this means creating a platform for emerging artists and industry professionals, supporting local live programming, local audiences, grassroots promoters and the wider music scene.
With its doors opening on 5th September, radial marks the next evolution of Ten87 – creating a permanent home for electronic music, live performance, culture and collaboration. At a time when grassroots venues across the UK continue to face mounting challenges, radial represents a long-term investment in London’s independent music scene and the communities that sustain it.