Relentless Freeform Forum Wrap Event
The Relentless Freeform Forum Wrap Event was an apex of 3-months of hard work; a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and the future of emerging talent. Mentees presented their projects to a room of industry insiders, their peers, and the Pirate and Relentless teams. In its 2nd year of operation, the personalised mentorship program is aimed at supporting 12 emerging creatives to refine their craft, developing their individual projects under the guidance of industry professionals from various disciplines within music and creative visual arts.
2024’s renowned contributors were Antslive, AZ Captures, Troy Roscoe and Sherelle - each phenomenal creative disruptors in their own right.
Quoting the team on the importance of the scheme:
“For Relentless and Pirate, we are deeply connected to the creative community, collaborating on a mentorship program like Freeform Forum is about empowering artists to break through industry barriers. It’s an investment in the future by supporting creatives who may otherwise lack access to high-level guidance, resources, and connections.”
As I stepped into Kindred in Hammersmith on October 16th, I could feel the electric hum of anticipation. This event was more than just an industry mixer - it felt like a snapshot of potential cultural leaders: the next wave. With introductions from Kingdom Collective and Relentless teams, the night kicked off with a lively atmosphere; hosted by the brilliant Emmavie representing Pirate, accompanied by music from DJ and model Talia A Darling, setting the perfect tone for the evening. One-by-one, the mentees presented their projects in a 3-minute presentation, the sort of elevator pitch approach crafted to make a short-but-sweet informative impact.
RFFWE photo credits: Sam Brat
Relentless and Pirate Studios selected mentees based on their alignment with Freeform’s core values:
“Aside from the mandatory requirements, we want projects and creatives that live and breathe our values. By this, we mean…are they disruptive? Are they non-conformist? And is there room for creative freedom in the project?” Relentless emphasized during the selection process briefing. “If you align with that, then Freeform Forum is the place for you.”
Continuing on the support mentees received, “Mentorships are a great way for those without much experience to get guidance from those who have also been on the journey of building their careers.” This crucial sentiment echoed throughout the evening as mentees shared how the direction from their mentors had been invaluable. The UK music industry is notoriously competitive, and many young creatives face barriers that are difficult to navigate alone. Relentless’ research highlighted that if it were not for these obstacles, “1 in 5 young Brits (18-30) would like to work in music.”
Platforms like Freeform go toward bridging gaps in representation and access, helping the UK’s creative industries move beyond a London-centric focus and a springboard for participants to propel themselves forward. The skills hub included in the Freeform Forum ensured that every applicant could take away valuable knowledge.
“The Freeform Forum Skills Hub is full of tips and tricks from our mentors… ensuring everyone who applied could take something away from Freeform Forum 2024,” Relentless and Pirate explained.
Each mentee's journey demonstrated that creative freedom was integral to the program’s success. Pirate added, “The program relies on genuine, sustained engagement with each participant,” balancing technical guidance with emotional support to empower these young creatives. Mentored by director Troy Roscoe, Alejandro Freeman: Across Da Ponds media outlet and Oluwatobi Kenneth Fadoju: Beyond projects focused on storytelling through unique lenses, the diversity was striking, spanning performance art, event planning, and video production.
AZ Captures mentor support included Ashley Solantro: Othr.d, a community born out of Pirate Studios in Dalston, which illustrated the nurturing environment fostered by this initiative. Serena Jemmett: Radio Sez- a Manchester-based artist discovery and session streaming platform, highlights the nationwide reach of this program and the importance of building creative communities, having physical spaces where creatives can collaborate and create. Thenjiwe Nxumalo-Parsley: Jonga Sani online radio community launched 18th October, bridging the gap in access to alternative music out of the African continent and its diaspora.
DJ and musician Sherelle also supported mentees in niche community building; Konetix: A New Era in Drum and Bass was another standout project, displaying his dedication to carving out a sub-culture hub in London’s drum and bass scene. It again echoes that domino effect of creating access, particularly for those underrepresented in the industry. While access to information and technology has improved, “financial pressures are high” for many creatives, and “underrepresented groups... still face restricted career progression,” as Pirate pointed out. Defying the status-quo, Elianne Mahay-Goodrich: Leztopia and Perez Faulkner: Junglicious projects are specifically aimed to create inclusive celebratory spaces for marginalized communities.
Antzlive mentees’ focus on music production came through their immersive presentations; track samples from Oxomo: Outta the Loop project were played to the attendees enjoyment, and the first live performance from Leicester based artist Narissha: Good Grief delivered beautifully smooth vocals, accompanied by guitar. Ending the presentations, Sidcup rapper IBack performed from their upcoming EP Right of Way - with powerful messaging and raw talent this body of work is one to watch for in 2025. The night finished with open decks and networking, allowing attendees to connect on a deeper level.
It was clear that the mentorships offered by Relentless, Pirate Studios, and their partners were invaluable, providing more than just industry access. “Delivering programs like Freeform Forum demands thorough planning and coordination, but it also requires adaptability and the ability to pivot, even at the last minute,” Relentless shared when discussing the challenges faced during the program. Aligning schedules for both mentors and mentees proved especially challenging, as unexpected events and significant life changes are inevitable. However, the commitment to “fostering an impactful environment that empowers participants to bring their creative visions to life” remained unwavering.
Events like the Relentless Freeform Forum is about understanding the creative industry’s pulse. The energy here was palpable, grounded in the determination and vision of each artist who took the stage. These are the kinds of stories that remind me why I’m passionate about covering the arts. This event wasn’t just a wrap-up of a mentorship program - it was the beginning of something much bigger; acknowledging the intersection of underground and mainstream culture, which is deeply connected to the scenes and subcultures that are shaping the future creative landscape.
November 19th Elianne Mahay-Goodrich was awarded the Freeform Forum 2024 Creative Fund, securing the funding for Leztopia: a club night focused on creating safe, inclusive spaces for FLINTA*(Female, Lesbian, Intersex, Trans, and Agender) communities within the music scene. The announcement marks a successful close of the scheme’s second year, with social impact being evident in both operation and selection.
Elianne’s journey towards securing the grant included the production of Leztopia’s fourth event, a vibrant club night held at The Yard Theatre in September. The night featured the renowned DJ Michelle Manetti, a key figure in East London’s queer scene, alongside Alex Lebby and Berry from Dykes on Decks. With Sherelle’s mentorship, from initial vision to a fully realized event Elianne embodied innovation and adaptability, overcoming numerous challenges in bringing the event to life. Creatively adjusting pricing, forging connections with local queer venues across East London, and launching a DJ competition to drive ticket sales and raise the event’s visibility all contributed to the event’s success.
With the funding from Relentless and Pirate Studios Elianne will further their work in 2025; including a special reunion with Sherelle to celebrate the first anniversary of Leztopia at Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburgh. Additionally, Elianne has ambitious plans to launch a record label and artist agency providing further support to FLINTA* creatives, helping them carve out their own space in the music industry. Continuing to push for greater diversity and inclusion, it is a full circle moment of paying forward the main principle of the scheme: opportunity.
