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.

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

Alceu Valença will celebrate eight decades of life in 2026 as he undertakes the largest and most significant European tour of his career. As one of the most influential artists in Brazil, 80 Sunflowers arrives in London after passing through ten Brazilian capitals. It presents Alceu at the height of his artistry, performing his greatest hits with his trademark energy on stage. Alongside songs such as ‘Anunciação’, ‘Belle de Jour’ and ‘Tropicana’, the show revisits his entire artistic journey, from the very beginning to the present day. Throughout his career, Alceu has become known for cultivating Brazilian and Northeastern sonorities in a contemporary, urban language with irresistible popular appeal. Alceu Valença stars in 80 Sunflowers at Royal Festival Hall, accompanied by Tovinho (keyboards and musical direction), Cássio Cunha (drums), Zi Ferreira (guitar), Nando Barreto (bass), André Julião (accordion), Costinha (flutes). Special Guests: Lui Coimbra (cello) and Natalia Mitre (percussion). Presented by Columbo Music. All ages.

Come along for a musical celebration of Bronski Beat’s 1984 debut album The Age of Consent. This re-energised and revitalised performance, originally created to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the record, is a collective call to action for the work still to be done in the fight for queer and trans liberation. An unashamed portrait of radical queerness in 1980s Britain, the record was a pivotal moment in LGBTQIA+ cultural history and a beacon of hope for a disenfranchised generation. The Age of Consent is presented four decades on with its message as relevant today as ever, as the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights continues. The show features a powerhouse line-up of Bishi, Planningtorock and Tom Rasmussen (with more artists to be announced). Alongside them, The Chateau Collective, a specially curated queer house band, perform new arrangements of the record. Musicians include KK Brown (percussion), Maxie Cheer (drums), Chris Clarke (harp) and Tom Foskett-Barnes (keys/musical director/arranger) with more to be announced. The Age of Consent is curated and produced by Laurie Belgrave, founder of The Chateau, with arrangements by Tom Foskett-Barnes and curation consultancy by Lulu Manning. The Chateau is an LGBTQIA+ record label and arts incubator born in south-east London. They’ve worked with Glastonbury Festival, British Film Institute and the Southbank Centre’s own Meltdown festival. The ticket price includes a £2 venue restoration levy. Presented by Southbank Centre. This is an 14+ event

After delighting audiences across the country, the smash-hit, joyful play based on the best-selling novel is back with a celebration of friendship, kindness and compassion. There used to be an empty chair at the back of the class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it. Hes nine years old (just like me), but hes very strange. He never talks and never smiles and doesnt like sweets not even lemon sherbets, which are my favourite! After learning that he has fled his own war-torn country, Ahmets classmates have The Greatest Idea in the World a magnificent plan to reunite Ahmet with his family. Told from a childs perspective, balancing heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class highlights the power of good friends and courage in a world that doesnt always make sense and reminds us that everyone needs a place to call home. Based on the book by Onjali Q. Raúf, adapted for the stage by Nick Ahad and directed by Monique Touko. A Childrens Theatre Partnership and Rose Theatre production.

Few figures in jazz history have experienced the kind of success that vocalist Samara Joy has, especially at such a young age. Still only 25, she leads a career that can safely be called sensational. A native of the Bronx, Samara Joy became entranced by classic R&B as a child and cut her teeth as a singer in her church’s gospel choir. While studying in college, she won the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, launching her into the national jazz spotlight. Praised by audiences and critics alike, she is celebrated as a masterful interpreter of jazz standards and a modern torchbearer for legends such as Sarah Vaughan, Betty Carter, Abbey Lincoln, and Carmen McRae. Joy released her self-titled debut on the Whirlwind label in 2021, followed a year later by Linger Awhile, her breakout Verve debut, of which Down Beat said, “With this beautiful recording, a silky-voiced star is born.” The album earned her a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album in addition to a headline-making win for Best New Artist. A deluxe edition of the album was released, as well as the EP A Joyful Holiday, which took home Grammys for Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best Jazz Performance in 2025. Her new Verve album, Portrait, which Joy co-produced with the veteran trumpeter/bandleader and multi-Grammy winner Brian Lynch, showcases the intimate, soulful chemistry she’s developed with her touring band, already earning her an NAACP Image Award this year for Best Jazz Album. Presented by Serious. 5+ under 14s must be accompanied by an adult