Lockeland Strings ft. Victoria Canal, Benjamin Leftwich Francis, Ella Hunt & Chris Brain in London

On December 5th, Lockeland Strings returns for their annual show at the stunning Union Chapel in London. The line-up consists of Victoria Canal, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Ella Hunt and Chris Brain.

Lockeland Strings is a community arts organization that spotlights local talent through intimate showcases featuring a string quintet, paired with contemporary classical works by emerging composers. From early house gigs to performances with artists like Kacey Musgraves and Lucie Silvas, Lockeland Strings has grown into a celebrated platform—expanding this year with a second London concert.

Victoria Canal is a Spanish-American singer-songwriter whose musical identity has evolved from candid teenage reflections into a confident, fully formed artistic voice. Raised between Madrid, Shanghai, and Dubai, she shaped her sound through classical piano, jazz, and a deep dedication to writing. Her debut album Slowly, It Dawns weaves courageous lyricism with emotional transparency, exploring themes of mental health, queerness, and belonging. With accolades including the Ivor Novello Rising Star Award and performances with Coldplay and Hozier, Canal continues to redefine what representation and resilience look like—both on stage and on screen, following her acting debut in Apple TV+’s Little America.

Benjamin Francis Leftwich’s fifth album, Some Things Break, signals a quiet but powerful shift in his work—letting go of past restraint in favor of honesty, experimentation, and emotional openness. Five years sober, he reflects on love, grief, and renewal with a clarity that bridges his folk foundations with more expansive, pop-inflected textures. It’s the sound of an artist stepping fully into his truth.

Devon-born Ella Hunt is a multi-disciplinary singer, songwriter, and actress known for her roles in Dickinson and Saturday Night. With the release of her new singles Mother’s Chair and Subway Trash—produced by Jimmy Hogarth (Anhoni And The Johnson’s, The 1975)—Hunt enters a fresh creative chapter.

Yorkshire folk artist Chris Brain has become known for his expressive songwriting and intimate, atmospheric sound, with music featured in A24’s We Live in Time and support across BBC tastemakers. After two acclaimed albums, he returns in 2025 with New Light—a reflective, nature-fused meditation on change and tenderness. With intricate fingerpicking, rich arrangements, and his trademark warm vocal tone, Brain continues to push the edges of contemporary folk.