Founded in 2020 by violist Shiry Rashkovsky, Up Close and Musical originated as a unique multi-genre festival bridging the space between audiences and world-renowned artists through individually-curated concerts in a convivial atmosphere.
In its first five years, Up Close and Musical enjoyed sold-out concerts by artists including Abel Selaocoe, Héloïse Werner, Chi-chi Nwanoku CBE, Misha Mullov-Abbado, Alice Zawadzki, Gabriel Prokofiev, Clare Hammond, Chloë Hanslip, Huw Watkins, Trio Klein and Matilda Lloyd, and has been featured on BBC Radio 3, The Strad, Classical Music Magazine, BBC Music Magazine, Planet Hugill and Culture Whisper.
2026 sees its expansion from three-day festival to full concert season, and a move to its new home in The Amadeus, Maida Vale.
As featured in:
Abel Selaocoe at Up Close and Musical © Dimitri Djuric
Clare Hammond and Shiry Rashkovsky © Dimitri Djuric
Abel Selaocoe and Shiry Rashkovsky © Dimitri Djuric