In a world where artistry and originality is unfunded and unrecognised, we spoke to an up-and-coming boy band of four members, ROUTE11, to reveal their experiences of the creative industry.
‘Exciting, unique, and tantalising’ – this is how ROUTE11 describes their music.
The band made up of Ade Thomas, 24, Joe Gladman, 24, Plamedi Mbungu, 23, and Saibou Tunkara, 24, met at Kingston University and even named their first song, ‘Block 27’ after their university accommodation.
Joe Gladman said: “We are all from different places, draw different influences, different inspirations, and different ideas, which makes us unique.”
Their bold blend of rich styles such as hip-hop, rap, and alternative pop is what makes their music so exciting.
The group cite Brockhampton, Rizzle Kicks and the production of Pharrell Williams as major influences and aim to bring their sound to the mainstream.
Their connection to south west London started whilst they were studying on undergraduate courses and their most re-visited area to date.
“The local venues in south west [London] that have supported us have been so crucial to our journey,” said Sai, a nod to their frequent gigs at Half Moon in Putney and Ram Jam Records in Kingston upon-Thames.
But today’s industry makes it difficult to reward originality.
“The way to get easy recognition is to make something generic. The hard part is building a following with a unique sound.
“It’s very easy to slip into what everyone else is doing,” said Joe.
Many critics have made their indignation known about the formulaic songs that artists create to succeed, big singers package themselves as a brand to encourage fans to buy into an aesthetic.
ROUTE11 stray from this. They are uniquely human, vulnerable and authentic, which is apparent in their songs.
Their music is carefully crafted, which they likened to an artisanal piece of furniture -‘handcrafted, polished, down to the minute detail’ compared to a machine-made one.
This is the reason they believe AI cannot take over the music industry, deeming AI’s lack of emotion as a pivotal flaw.
Ade said: “Life can’t be replicated and that’s what we look to show in our music – we are enjoying living life, the lows and the highs, our lives are imperfect but we’re just having fun.”
In our modern music industry, it’s impossible to be successful without ambition, consistency and resilience.
“Water doesn’t break a rock through its power, but over time,” Joe expressed.
This reflects their philosophy that excellence is bred through consistent hard work and pushing through fears.
Though their performances on Battersea-based station, Riverside Radio’s Breakfast Show was ‘slightly daunting’, it was unlike anything they had ever done, and they were able to just be themselves.
During the show, ROUTE11 performed three tracks, including ‘The One’ which was chosen as the station’s ‘Track of the Week’.
Ade mentions that in the infancy of the band there was a pressure to achieve perfection, but since the 2024 release of the track ‘Irrational’, they have learned to embrace the flaws in the sound to enrich their music.
Joe added: “Don’t take yourself too seriously.”
ROUTE11’s light-hearted and relaxed personalities evidenced that they don’t see themselves as role models but as a group of guys simply looking to create good music.
When asked about his main piece of advice to others Sai interestingly said: “I think the best advice is not to take advice, because we’re all unique people with different skills to bring to the table.”
He highlighted the individuality each member holds – this is clearly audible in their music and visible in their group.
Grassroots music
But the lack of support to aspiring creatives is glaringly felt by groups like ROUTE11 due to the threats of funding cuts to grassroots music charities, venues and musicians.
According to industry body Music Venue Trust’s (MVT) 2025 annual report, 30 grassroots music venues closed over the past year.
The government have looked to addressed this with the Creative Industries Sector Plan which showed a pledge of investment up to £30 million to go towards grassroots venues and mentoring opportunities.
Joe said: “We are creatives and creatives do not get paid fairly.”
ROUTE11 also talk on the necessity of having jobs while they pursue their creativity with members working within hospitality and media.
Artists such as Coldplay and Sam Fender have spoken out in support of protecting grassroots music charities with Fender working alongside MVT to raise over £175,000 for venues and youth music projects.
Arts Council England also supports emerging artists through the Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) funding programme, which grants £2,000 to £12,000 to allow artists to focus on their creative development.
The Arts Council has also set out plans to secure more opportunities for more people in this country to enjoy a rich, high-quality creative and cultural life – sharing how future events are due to make a comeback.
ROUTE11’s next upcoming event is at the Riverside Radio Roadshow festival in Springfield Park, Wandsworth on August 8, 2026 with free admission.
The band will look to use the opportunity to promote their new track ‘Toi Et Moi’ featuring R&B artist Tyriek Butcher and continue their upwards trajectory.
Featured image credit: Karl Alcayaga
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