The List

Southbank Centre

Arguably the leading arts venue in the UK, the Southbank Centre, comprising five main venues -- Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, the Hayward Gallery and the Saison Poetry Library -- occupies a 21-acre site on the banks of the Thames. Originally created in 1951 for the Festival of Britain, over the decades the institution has flourished to become a thriving festival site, hosting music, dance, art, spoken word and performance events. The venue not only supports four resident orchestras, 14 artists in residence and over 100 more artistic organisations, it also manages the Art Council Collection and curates the Hayward Touring Exhibition which visits venues across the country.

What's On @ Southbank Centre

Mabel Matiz

Mabel Matiz

13 Feb 2026 - 13 Feb 2026

One of the most influential and productive musicians of present-day Turkish music, singer-songwriter and producer Mabel Matiz returns to the London for his first Royal Festival Hall show. Described by his fans as a modern-day Ashik, Mabel Matiz offers an impressive blended sound of maqam music, Anatolian folk melodies with synth, and urban pop. His innovative sound, poetic lyrics, and commitment to social justice have earned him a loyal fan base both in Turkey and abroad. He continues to be a leading figure in the Turkish music scene, and his music is sure to inspire and captivate audiences for years to come. Presented by Serious. Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult 18+
Julian Lage Feat Medeski, Roeder And Wollesen
Julian Lage is a world-class guitar virtuoso and composer, hailed as one of his generation's greatest talents by critics and colleagues alike. Born in California and currently based in New York City, Lage began his musical career at a very young age, and has charted a colorful, ever changing, and ever innovative path since, one that has, so far, earned him five GRAMMY nominations, one Independent Music Award and countless invitations to collaborate with the best and brightest working in music today. Lage's most recent studio release is 2024's critically acclaimed Speak to Me (Blue Note Records), which was nominated for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album at the 67th annual GRAMMY Awards. Over the course of his multi-decade career, Lage has collaborated with fellow musical heavyweights including Gary Burton, Yoko Ono, Jim Hall, John Zorn and more. Presented by Serious. 7+. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Tony Njoku: All Our Knives Are Always Sharp
The genre-defying artist’s latest album showcases his distinctive fusion of ambient, electronic and classical music, combined with deeply personal storytelling. Njoku is an award-winning British composer and multidisciplinary artist known for creating emotionally resonant, genre-blurring music paired with striking visual work. His distinctive fusion of styles has positioned him as a bold and innovative voice in contemporary experimental music, earning critical acclaim from Pitchfork, Dazed, Clash and many more. In July 2025, Njoku returned with new album All Our Knives Are Always Sharp, a sonically expansive and emotionally charged second album. Rooted in themes of spiritual preparedness, cultural resistance and championing community, the album unfolds through Njoku’s signature blend of electronic abstraction, falsetto-led songwriting and cinematic composition. Featuring powerful collaborations with Tricky, GAIKA, Ghostpoet, Coby Sey, James Massiah and Space Afrika, All Our Knives Are Always Sharp is philosophical, political and personal, with each guest bringing a vital new layer to the conversation. Special guests for this performance to be announced. The ticket price includes a £2 venue restoration levy. Presented by Southbank Centre. This is an 14+ event
Top Hat

Top Hat

12 Dec 2025 - 17 Jan 2026

Youre invited to the musical equivalent of the finest vintage champagne. Effervescent, elegant and exhilarating, Top Hat is a heady romantic cocktail laced with sparklingly witty dialogue, stunning choreography, lavish sets and gorgeous costumes. Irving Berlins irresistible score includes some of Hollywoods greatest songs, the immortal Cheek to Cheek, Lets Face the Music and Dance, Top Hat White Tie and Tails and Puttin on the Ritz.
BAFTA Games In Concert

BAFTA Games In Concert

31 Jan 2026 - 7 Jun 2026

Kilimanjaro, esk and Nibbs Events present: BAFTA Games in Concert A landmark live concert celebrating two decades of BAFTA-nominated and award-winning games music. Join the full forces of a 65-piece orchestra in the official performance of nominated and award-winning music from 20 years of the BAFTA Games Awards, synchronised live with dynamic visuals, gameplay and imagery on screen. Celebrating the outstanding composers behind the music, this concert features exclusive suites from iconic games soundtracks, spanning household names to pioneering independent studios including: Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture by Jessica Curry Baldur’s Gate 3 by Borislav Slavov Hitman: Contracts by Jesper Kyd Tomb Raider: Legend by Troels Brun Folmann Assassin’s Creed by Jesper Kyd Cuphead by Kris Maddigan Journey by Austin Wintory Helldivers 2 by Wilbert Roget, II Fallout 4 by Inon Zur Disco Elysium by Sea Power Ori and the Will of the Wisps by Gareth Coker Returnal by Bobby Krlic Uncharted 2: Among Thieves by Greg Edmonson Far Cry 4 by Cliff Martinez Virginia by Lyndon Holland For ages 7+ only. Recommended for ages 12+. Under-15s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18+ Film Rating: 12A
Pulse and Presence

Pulse and Presence

13 Mar 2026 - 13 Mar 2026

In a portrait of modern creativity by the London Sinfonietta, three voices of contemporary music converge in striking contrast and resonance. Opening the concert, Alex Paxtons sound world is frenetic and multilayered a high-bandwidth flood of sound that dazzles the ear. By contrast, Tansy Davies writes with ritualistic poise, her meditative sonorities unfolding in slow arcs, always with a sense of direction and flow. Completing the journey, John Adams chamber ensemble piece is witty and energetic, a classic construction that sparkles with invention, and serves as a virtuosic showcase for the London Sinfonietta.
Time Entwined

Time Entwined

11 Jun 2026 - 11 Jun 2026

The London Sinfonietta shines a light on new voices and pioneering classics, blurring the lines between performer and audience and you can be part of it.In celebration of the Southbank Centres 75th anniversary, the orchestra weave together its past, present and future in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, while blurring the lines between performer and audience. Christian Masons In Time Entwined, In Space Enlaced, originally commissioned for the London Sinfoniettas 40th birthday, invites 36 harmonica players from the audience to contribute to an ethereal soundscape, merging seamlessly with the onstage ensemble. This collaborative spirit continues with a powerful new commission from James B. Wilson, written for young musicians from the North London Music Hub, who perform side-by-side with London Sinfonietta players. The second half features Sir Harrison Birtwistles Secret Theatre, a bold, theatrical work that transforms instruments into characters and sound into architecture. First performed by the ensemble in the Queen Elizabeth Hall in 1984, it remains a striking exploration of structure and drama. Programme includes: Christian Mason In Time Entwined, In Space Enlaced James B. Wilson New work (World Premiere) Sir Harrison Birtwistle Secret Theatre
Women In Jazz: In Conversation With Celeste
Music journalist Emma Warren speaks to Celeste about her musical journey, genre defying sound and the ways jazz continues to influence contemporary music. From the acclaim of her debut, Not Your Muse, to the personal revelations behind her second album, Woman of Faces, Celeste reflects on resilience, self-discovery and the art of translating life’s complexities into song. The conversation also touches on jazz’s reach into contemporary genres and the women shaping its evolution today. Emma Warren brings her decades of experience documenting grassroots music and culture to the conversation, uncovering the stories behind Celeste’s distinctive voice and the inspirations that shape her work. Curated by Women in Jazz. Founded in 2018, Women In Jazz (WiJ) is a pioneering UK organisation dedicated to addressing the gender imbalance in jazz. Through mentoring programmes, live events, workshops and a radio show, WiJ gives voice and platform to female singers, instrumentalists, composers and producers who are often overlooked in the male-dominated scene. In 2025, WiJ launched The Year of Women in Jazz, a 12-month programme combining music releases, collaborative projects, live performances, mentorship, and industry workshops. The ticket price includes a £2 venue restoration levy. Presented by Southbank Centre. This is an 14+ event
The Divine Comedy

The Divine Comedy

12 Jul 2026 - 12 Jul 2026

Hear wide-ranging, irresistible music from the band fronted by songwriter and driving force Neil Hannon. With 13 albums, and songs including ‘Our Mutual Friend’, ‘A Lady of a Certain Age’ and ‘To the Rescue’, under his belt, Hannon’s trademark orchestral pop, intelligent lyrics and legendary live shows have turned him into something of a national treasure. 2025 saw the release of the 13th Divine Comedy album, Rainy Sunday Afternoon. Recorded at Abbey Road, it exquisitely covers Hannon’s usual range of emotions: sad, funny, angry and everything in between. Presented by Southbank Centre. This is an 14+ event
Theo Croker: Miles Davis Mixtape

Theo Croker: Miles Davis Mixtape

13 Mar 2026 - 13 Mar 2026

The trumpeter, composer, producer and bandleader marks the 100th anniversary and legacy of Miles Davis with a selection of tunes and special guests. If you were to create a mixtape of Miles Davis tunes, what would you put on there? Be moved and surprised by old favourites and deep cuts played in new, unexpected ways, as Croker reinterprets some of the key pieces that have influenced him over the years. Theo Croker is known for pushing the boundaries of jazz, neo-soul and hip-hop, crafting a sound that defies traditional genre classifications. At live performances, his trumpet acts as both a melodic voice and a textural force, seamlessly woven into a production landscape rich with samples, synths and sound design. The ticket price includes a £2 venue restoration levy. Presented by Southbank Centre. This is an 14+ event.

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