WE ARE
THE ROUGH DIAMONDS
WHAT WE ARE ABOUT.
The Rough Diamonds is an independent music, art and event collective started by alt-pop musician Ruby Duff in 2022. After a successful 6 month residency at The Victoria, Dalston in 2023, 2024 will take The Rough Diamonds to a set of new venues.
A usual show includes live music, stand up comedy, drag shows, spoken word and art exhibitions, though you never know what to expect in terms of performances and acts. If you’re looking for an element of surprise, The Rough Diamonds is for you. With the purpose of supporting all sorts of independent creators, we are ready to put on a range of spectacular shows in 2024.
WHO WE ARE.
Ruby Duff is an alt-pop musician from Yorkshire, spending most of her time gigging around the city or writing songs with a range of different artists. She’s a skater and a surfer and as a musician she’s been described as “the Alice in Wonderland of contemporary music”. She is also the mastermind behind the idea of The Rough Diamonds.
Richard Arvidsson is a music student, music lover and frequent collaborator of Ruby’s on all things music business and events. As an emerging event producer, being presented with the idea of The Rough Diamonds by Ruby, it quickly became a project close to his heart. On a show day you’ll see him at the back of the crowd trying to make sure everything works according to plan.
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE.
It’s not easy being an aspiring artist. London is a vibrant city with art & music everywhere and we want to contribute to local pubs and communities by bringing them more of everything. We love music but we also love lots of other art forms that we don’t think are represented to the same capacity as music around the city. This is why we want to bring our audience a range of different performances each show.
Most people have been to a live music gig at least once in their life but a lot of people have never been to a drag show, a poetry night, a stand-up comedy show or even an art exhibition before. This is why we want to blend everything together and show you that there is so much to find in this city. We want our audience to explore, and to be open to a surprise as you never know when you’ll find your new favourite performer! Small shows like these means everything to performers at the beginning of their careers and by coming to a Rough Diamonds show, you can play an important role in breaking a new performer.
WHO THE Rough diamonds are for.
Our shows are for everyone. We are striving to put on shows where you can show up and be yourself, no matter what that looks like. We are an inclusive and diverse event organiser who takes pride in having both performers and audience members from all types of backgrounds. We love music and art and you should be able to enjoy it no matter what anyone else thinks. Come to a show just as you are, let your inner legend out!
Note: As the shows take place in pub environments we have a 18+ policy in place. If you don’t agree with our values of everyone being allowed to be themselves, please find a different show to attend.
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PREVIOUS SHOWS
2024
22 FEBRUARY
Hannes (Art), Danny Mash (Spoken Word), Ashaine White (Live Music), POLESQUE (Pole Dancing), Gabrielle MacPherson (Comedy), Ruby Duff (Live Music)
2023
6 JULY
Metre by Metre (Panel talk/Documentary), Meg McHugh (DJ), JB Tailoring (Pop-Up Shop),
Witchy Woo Lou (Tarot Readings), Rose Feroce (Host & Drag Show), Ella Villanueva (Art Exhibition),
Amy Nic (Comedy), Sam Dotia (Spoken Word)
8 JUNE
Jay Bailey (DJ), Émilie Rachel (Live Music), Blair Michael (Comedy),
Delilah Tahiri (Spoken Word), Lucas Wood (Art Exhibition)
17 MAY
Mabes (Live Music), Badly Drawn Banana (DJ), The Duff Duo (Live Music),
Will Stewart (Host & Comedy), Alanna Duffield (Spoken Word), AO Antiques (Pop-Up Shop),
Rose Feroce (Drag Show)
22 MARCH
Kelly Ford (Host & Comedy), AMETHYST (Live Music), Sugarloaf (DJ),
Witchy Woo Lou (Tarot Readings), Libby (Spoken Word), Lilshlurp (Art Exhibition)
2022
9 NOVEMBER
Toxic Rose (Drag Show), Hickey (DJ), Hannes (Art Exhibition), Charlie Heptinstall (Spoken Word),
Dave Wilder (Comedy), Dan Wallace (Host)