Meet the Team
Rising Music Festival wouldn't be possible without our fantastic team of specialists.

Festival Director: Seeds of Sound
Amy Wheeler
As a young metal musician herself, Amy understands how difficult it can be for emerging artists to find opportunities to perform, grow, and be heard. She is passionate about supporting underrepresented, underprivileged, and developing artists from all genres and backgrounds. Amy is also a festival partner through her new venture, Seeds of Sound.

Creative Director: Backbeat Collective
Aly Duff
Aly Duff is a Live Performance Specialist with over three decades of experience in the music and entertainment industry. Her expertise spans various facets of this dynamic field, making her a versatile professional with a deep understanding of what it takes to excel in the industry.

Technical Director
Louis Anderson
Louis is the creative venue technician at the Phoenix. He is excited to transform the theatre into a buzzing festival this Summer! His role is to manage the technical aspect of each stage, and assist performers of the festival throughout. He enjoys expressing his creative ideas to the team, and wants to bring his all to the festival.

CEO: Phoenix Theatre
Rob Allerston
Rob joined Phoenix Arts in 2010. Rob is passionate about giving the underdog their day, respecting the elderly and those with a disability and welcoming people with a smile.

Marketing Manager
Sally McIlhone
Sally has been performing since she was a kid, acting in A Voyage Around My Father by John Mortimer at the age of 10 and going on to write her own plays in her early 20s. Following in the footsteps of her Irish singer auntie, Ann Breen, Sally sang in melodic punk bands in her teens and now has two young children who she is educating in the ways of good music.

Social Media Host - Rep of Rising (Acoustic)
a bad artist
A.B.A is a singer-songwriter-producer who has discovered her confidence or possible delusion in making music. She grew up with a plethora of interests, from cheerleading to gospel singing, which has helped influence her music creations, thriving on experimentation. Alongside her music she brings the energy to the festival on or off the camera.

Social Media Host
Erica Beale
Erica is a bachelor of architecture, bringing her passion of design and editorial skills to the team. While also completing her masters she shares her talents with Rising to deliver fun, laughter and excitement to our social media audience.

Admin Assistant - Rep of Rising (Bands)
Jacob Palmer
Jacob palmer is an amateur solo musician and frontman of swell, with a passion for creating and bringing the noise when performing live. Acting as the representitive for all the bands playing at this years festival, his hope is to see all the bands at rising play their hearts to a passionate audience.

Rep Of Rising (DJ's)
3THAN
3THAN is a DJ Producer/ singer songwriter. Starting his journey from a young age in his bedroom with influences such as Marshmello and Avicii, he is now taking on his dream of a DJ career. After getting a leg up from Rising 2025, he is now one of the faces of the festival and is on a rampage of music releases, most recently, Memories.

Photographer - General Assistant
Josh Ingham
Josh Ingham is a yes-man helper who'll do just about anything for Rising and its participants. From playing the keys like a nutter to photography, social media, stage setup and more, if there's a high shelf you can bet he'll reach it for you.
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