Rising independent artist Ellena Russell is set to appear on the Suffolk Stage of the newly announced Halo Festival coming to Ipswich this summer. Here, Ellena explains all
Since she was 9 years old, Ellena Russell has been used to performing, having been involved in the Fisher Youth Theatre Group in Bungay. “I used to do a lot of singing in that – that was good for confidence levels.” Fast forward a few years and, just before she turns 23, Ellena is set to perform on the Suffolk Stage at the new Halo Festival in Ipswich, where Two Door Cinema Club, The Vaccines, Natasha Bedingfield and Scouting for Girls are named as headliners.
The new one-day music festival on Saturday July 4, announced by the Suffolk-based Halo software company, has been described as a ‘region-defining event that brings world class headliners, major DJs and rising talent together.’
Ellena, who grew up on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, is the first name announced for the Suffolk Stage, and says she is “excited, in one word, but also so incredibly grateful to Halo and the people who support me for the opportunity to be part of something so fun and good for the local community.”
Ellena grew up listening to David Bowie, Massive Attack, Amy Winehouse and Carole King… “all the good stuff. “My dad used to be in a band which has always been motivational in terms of doing music and steering me towards good music.”
In fact, dad Alex plays keyboards in her band (and is “effectively my manager at this point”). Ellena adds: “We co-write the songs. He comes up with the lyrics, and I make them make sense!”
It would be fair to say that Alex and other band members Dave and Sol are all in the 50-plus age bracket. Someone recently asked her if she found it embarrassing performing with ‘old men’. Ellena’s response is: “I think it’s actually better…I think it looks less amateur.”
Original bass player, Andrew Mills (known as Billy) passed away suddenly in September last year. “That was difficult” says Ellena. “My first live performance was at his funeral, performing his favourite song which we wrote – it was called Echoes but we’re going to rename it Billy’s Song when we actually release it.”
Ellena, who studied art at college in Ipswich and is now a web designer, has released five songs so far on all the streaming platforms, including Just After Midnight, Here We Go Again, Forgive Me, Wait a Lifetime and, most recently, Night Vision.
When pressed to describe her style, Ellena mentions Dido and Siouxsie Sioux (of Siouxsie & The Banshees fame). “I had someone messaging me saying that the other day, but I don’t really know – it’s hard to listen to myself and say I’m like anyone else because I don’t really want to compare myself to anyone else.
“Portishead is my main inspiration – I just think they’re really cool – and I want to sound haunting. I have so many influences. I love The Cure and they influenced my last song.”
So far Ellena and the band have performed in a café in Wortwell, for family and friends, and on Park Radio, but the gigs are coming thick and fast now, with a performance at The Brickmakers in Norwich this Friday swiftly followed by a performance in the FanZone at Ipswich Town Football Club.
“Obviously being on stage and performing in front of people is quite scary but as soon as I sing it is fine. If I don’t sing for a certain amount of time I feel like everything is just sat in my chest.” She felt this when she went to Canada for two months and put singing on hold. Whether she is singing just for fun, practising with her band, or performing, it all has the same effect: “that is how I feel better.”
So, Halo Festival this year and then what is next for Ellena? “My hopes and dreams are just to be able to do it for a living,” says Ellena. “I just want to be able to sing.”
And she adds: “The people in my band were all in bands years and years ago and this is their last chance to be famous – there is motivation in that to make their dreams come true, so no pressure!”
Halo Festival takes place at Trinity Park, Ipswich, Suffolk on Saturday July 4, 2026. Tickets are on sale now. Visit halofestival.com. Ellena Russell is also performing at B2 @ The Brickmakers, Sprowston Road, Norwich on Friday March 27, 2026 (doors 7pm), and in the Ipswich Town FC FanZone on Saturday March 28, 2026, before the Ipswich Town Women v Southampton Women fixture (kick-off 12.30pm). Listen to Ellena Russell on Spotify.
Featured image of Ellena Russell by Wendy Aiken Photography
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