ROLI returns for NAMM 2025
The ROLI Team made their NAMM return last month, check out the event highlights
After six long years, ROLI made an electrifying return to The NAMM Show, and we showcased our best and brightest (literally), introducing cutting-edge design and musical expression to the masses. Join us as we remember our favorite moments, including performance videos, in-depth reviews of ROLI’s latest gear, and a few words from the ROLI team who made this all happen at Anaheim.
“Returning to NAMM after six years away was nothing short of incredible. The energy, the passion, and the overwhelming response to what our team has built left us truly inspired. Seeing musicians, creators, and industry leaders light up as they experienced our products, especially Airwave, was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.
The feedback was beyond anything we could have hoped for. One visitor, Taylor Morken from Guitar Center, put it best when he said his cheeks hurt from smiling so much after seeing our demo. Moments like that make all the hard work worth it. We’re beyond grateful to be back, sharing the future of music technology with such an amazing community.” — Dewald “DJ” De Jager, Senior Commercial Director
“NAMM Anaheim was intense. Designing the ROLI booth under such a tight timeline and ambitious brief was a real challenge, but seeing it all come together was incredibly rewarding. We stood out among major brands, and the teamwork behind it made it even more special. Emotional, and exhausting, but completely worth it. NAMM was a really inspiring experience. So much innovation, great performances, and creative energy everywhere.” — Léa De Miras, Senior Graphic Designer
“Felt great being back a NAMM after a few years. It was wonderful to see people's positive reactions to our new products!” — Heen Wai, Head of Film & Music Production
“My highlight of NAMM was the overwhelmingly positive response to our new products. Seeing people's reactions, the joy and delight, as they interacted with the Airwave and ROLI Piano for the first time was a great reminder of why we do what we do at ROLI.” — Kaushik Sureshkumar, Senior Product Manager
Unforgettable NAMM performances
There were a number of spectacular performances from ROLI artists at this year's NAMM Show. ASADI—known for his one-of-a-kind talent in blending samples, acoustic instrumentation, and the unparalleled expressive power of Seaboard 2— showed the NAMM crowds just what’s possible when fusing music technology with modern and traditional musical styles.
Meeting the ROLI community
NAMM wasn't just a chance for us to showcase our instruments. We loved meeting our ROLI community in person. From fans of music tech, to ROLI learners and creators alike, seeing your reactions to our newest instruments in real time was something special.
Many artists also made appearances at the ROLI booth at NAMM, including none other than Stevie Wonder who gave the ROLI Piano and Airwave a spin.
"The NAMM Show was an incredible experience—legendary musicians, an endless stream of inspiration, and brilliant innovations by brands like ROLI. I loved the seamless interaction of the new ROLI piano and the Airwave, which not only opened up new doors of expression and discovery but also made music learning more accessible for all. I can't wait for next year's show!" — Adrian Valia
"This was my first time at NAMM and I feel so lucky to have been there alongside such a captivating brand. Each day across the floor and at our booth, attendees of all ages and skill levels were mesmerized by ROLI’s instruments. It was so exciting to see! People just could not get enough! Often, I would recognize people who would return day after day to continue playing the instruments or to show us proudly that they just purchased one of their own. The reactions to the new technology and the inspiration that the products gave to people are things I know myself (and the rest of the team) will cherish as we return to our own music-making back at home. It was cool to see that same excitement in others that I felt about ROLI myself from the moment I heard about it years ago.
From history-defining musicians who have inspired me since I started playing piano art a young age to creators I hope to collaborate with later in 2025, I’m so thankful for the connections I was able to make here at NAMM. It was really exciting to be a part of this and represent ROLI!"
— Celia Tewey
Ultra-expressive EDM
Taking EDM to new heights with her inimitable Seaboard flair, OBLYVN put on an explosive performance in the ROLI booth at NAMM this year. Her virtuosic use of the Seaboard in combination with the new ROLI Piano infuses her melodies with an expressive power like no other.
Pink Floyd on a Seaboard?
Sam Gutman took the guitar solos of David Gilmour into a new dimension with the Seaboard 2. Performing a medley of Pink Floyd solos, Gutman brought the expressive bends and glides of some of the most iconic guitar solos in rock to life in a totally new way.
“As a teenager, I would flick through guitar magazines and see all the newest gear being unveiled at NAMM so it had been a long-time dream of mine to be there. Going with the ROLI team was a huge amount of fun, and meeting so many of the artists and creators we work with, as well as our community and supporters was an incredible experience.
The team working on the booth design did a brilliant job in creating a creative space for people that felt really inviting and I got to meet so many new people that kept coming back for a chat and a play in the three days we were there. Seeing people's first reaction to playing the Airwave for the first time was an absolute highlight!” — Omar McKay, Social Media and Community Manager
The reviews are in...
It wasn't all just about the performances. Many creators had a lot to say about our showcase including TAETRO, a deep dive into ROL Piano and Airwave with Sonicstate, more from Sam Gutman on Airwave, and Sunwarper.
"I was most excited to try out Airwave. It just feels like magic." — TAETRO
"The Airwave is what really stood out to me. [...] This felt a whole other level where it wasn't just twisting a knob, you're actually moving your own body and then hearing that translate into sound. It felt like this really crazy, expressive thing." — Sunwarper.
"NAMM was our opportunity to make one-on-one connections with musicians, artists, and creators. This connection multiplied a thousandfold, as we were met with an outpouring of positivity, love, and support for what we do, who we are, and our mission to Free The Music." — Jon Beyer, Head of Community and Content
