Formed in Birmingham in 1989, OCS spent six years fine-tuning their sound before lighting up the Britpop party with three Top 5 albums; 1996’s ‘Moseley Shoals’, 1997’s ‘Marchin’ Already’ and 1999’s ‘One From The Modern’. The band has also achieved seventeen Top 40 singles, including a staggering run of nine successive Top 20 singles and a mantelpiece full of awards. As with all the best groups, behind the swagger and style were great songs, with words and melodies that found their way into the public’s hearts. Honing their craft in the spirit of the soul, folk and blues greats who inspired them, Ocean Colour Scene’s celebrated live shows have cemented the relationship between the band and their fiercely loyal fanbase, with each concert serving as a communal outpouring of hope and joy, boasting the most life-affirming singalongs you’re likely to hear anywhere.

Erland Cooper: Carve the Runes Then Be Content With Silence Erland Cooper is a Scottish composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist originally from Stromness, Orkney. As a solo artist, he has released five acclaimed studio albums, including a trilogy of work inspired by his childhood home, as well as themes of nature, people, place and time. His work combines field recordings with traditional orchestration and contemporary electronic elements. Through music, words and cinematography he explores landscape, memory and identity. He develops these themes further by partnering with other artists, writers and poets. Cooper also works across mixed media projects including installation art, theatre and film. He’s widely known for burying the only existing copy of the master tape of his first classical album in Scotland, deleting all digital files and leaving only a treasure hunt of clues for anyone to seek it. The tape was found in 2023 and the album will be released, exactly as it sounds from the earth, this year along with its world premiere of the completed score. Presented by Hey! Manchester. This is a 14+ event. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult

Join us for an unforgettable summertime concert of beautiful music and glorious singing. Internationally renowned soprano Rebecca Evans joins forces with the celebrated WNO Orchestra, with WNO Music Director Tomáš Hanus at the podium, for a delightful summer concert. With a wonderful mix of repertoire, the concert begins with the rousing overture to Weber’s Romantic opera ‘Der Freischütz’ (‘The Marksman’) and continues with the sublime Mozart concert aria ‘Ah, lo previdi’ sung by Rebecca Evans, which tells of the myth of Andromeda and her sacrifice. Leading to the interval, you will hear the wonderful Chamber Symphony in C Minor famously arranged for orchestra by the conductor Rudolf Barshai from Shostakovich’s String Quartet No 8. The concert concludes with the brilliance and enduring beauty of Beethoven and the magnificent Fifth Symphony, considered to be one of the cornerstones of western classical music.

The second in an exclusive series of concerts celebrating the influence of Johann Sebastian Bach. Dmitri Shostakovich was an avid admirer of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach’s ‘The Well-Tempered Clavier’, is thought to be the direct inspiration for Shostakovich’s later set of 24 preludes and fugues. This concert unites the two composers in a celebration of Bach’s enduring influence.

The third in an exclusive series of concerts celebrating the creative genius of Johann Sebastian Bach. Max Reger described Johann Sebastian Bach as ‘the beginning and end of all music’. Bach’s influence can be heard in many of his compositions. In the third and final concert in their series, Chloë Hanslip and Danny Driver perform Reger’s Suite in the Old Style alongside the works of J. S. Bach.

A stellar cast of musicians combines for two classical masterpieces in the final concert of Cordelia Williams’ series. Brahms wrote his Piano Trio at the age of 20, but then substantially revised it 35 years later resulting in a work which is both youthful and mature. Schubert’s upbeat and joyful work has become one of the most popular pieces of chamber music. Written at the request of a music patron who particularly liked the composer’s song ‘Die Forelle’ (The Trout) and asked him to incorporate it, Schubert created a set of variations as part of the work’s fourth movement.

Fairport Convention has been entertaining music lovers for over half a century. During that time the band that launched British folk-rock has seen many changes. But one thing has remained the same - Fairport's passion for performance. The band skilfully interprets traditional ballads and the repertoire also includes plenty of contemporary compositions.

Together Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham have established themselves as the epitome of excellence in the world of traditional music. With their musical magic and quick-witted humour they will pull your emotional strings one moment and have you falling off the seat with laughter the next. Mike Russell has described them as "probably the best traditional musicians you are ever likely to hear”.

Get ready for a toe-tapping, hand-clapping, adventure-packed storytime like no other! Join storyteller Becky, her soulful cello, and the uplifting sounds of the Beanstalk Band as we journey deep into the magical fairytale forest with none other than Little Red Riding Hood! All Little Red wants to do is deliver cakes to Grandma… but staying on the path? That’s easier said than done! Along the way, we’ll howl with the Big Bad Wolf, flutter high with the birds, and stomp through the trees on our way to Grandma’s house. A magical, musical storytelling adventure perfect for children aged 2-7 and their families

A musical voyage full of stories, songs and the sea… Upon a distant shore, a lonely lighthouse keeper has grown fearful of the sea and its wild and stormy nature. But when a mysterious stranger appears with songs of the sea’s magic and power, the keeper is forced to confront his fears. He slowly rediscovers the beauty of the ocean that surrounds him. Experience storytelling, traditional music, original songs and spellbinding puppetry. This is a captivating show full of myths, magic, music and folklore. ‘Tales from the Lighthouse’ is written and performed by Oliver Bishop, with original songs by David Gibb. Live music comes from two-time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Nominee Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne. Join us for the perfect voyage into the world of theatre, puppetry and music for children. Suitable for ages 5+ and their adults

Join us this summer for a day of magical musical activities and events for children and grown-ups of all ages. Get the whole family involved with performances, workshops, music, dance, craft – and of course the chance to make LOTS of noise. Bring your picnic lunch to enjoy in the gardens, get your face painted – a perfect day out!

Jazz FM Award Winner and one of the most influential trumpeters of her generation, Yazz Ahmed closes our Summer Festival. With her fourth studio album, ‘A Paradise in the Hold’, the British-Bahrani musician dives even deeper into her dual heritage. She emerges with a treasure trove that draws on traditional music and stories from her childhood home. Yazz writes for the voice for the first time, with lyrics inspired by Bahraini wedding poems’ themes of beauty and nature and the songs of the pearl divers. A narrative that charts the heroic voyages of the jewel-hunters of yore, who sailed home through rough seas with precious cargo, echoes Yazz’s own voyage of self-discovery. Join us for an evening of intoxicating, compelling Arabic jazz.

Join two of the most revered female singer-songwriters for an evening of unparalleled music. Appearing together on stage for the first time to perform songs such as ‘Stay With Me Till Dawn’, ‘Sand and Water’, ‘Bring The Rain’, ‘This Kiss’ and their stunning collaboration, ‘Safe’. Alongside their musicians, this is set to be a beautiful night of lyric, song and harmony.

After 15 years of performing together, eight studio albums, four BBC Folk Award nominations, composing Gentleman Jack as the BBC/HBO drama theme tune and hundreds of venues and festivals across the UK and Europe, the much loved Yorkshire folk duo of Belinda OHooley & Heidi Tidow have made the momentous decision to say farewell for now in order to explore other adventures that are beckoning to them. To help their incredibly loving and loyal audiences process this news, they are embarking upon one last tour of all their favourite venues from over the years. Belinda and Heidi's boundless songwriting has been described by The Guardian as exceptional and The Independent as defiant, robust, northern, poetical, political folk music for the times we live in. Moving, melodic, dramatic and tender, from stories of parenthood, the call of a song thrush, to a portrait of the last days of a touching relationship between their neighbour Matthew and his beloved Alsatian, Ted, and even a collaboration with Gentleman Jack herself, Suranne Jones on The Ballad of Anne and Ann, they explore, consider and connect subjects and stories in a distinctive, inventive and memorable way. Having the originality and skill to invite comparison with the most celebrated harmony duos, 6 Music's Tom Robinson says They sing together in the way families do. Normally, you only get that closeness in the voices with family bands like The Coppers or The Watersons.

The nine-piece folk band bring music from their latest album ‘The Shovel Dance’ to kick off our Summer Festival 2025. Following in the footsteps of groups like Lankum, Shovel Dance Collective are driven by a passion for the traditional music of the British Isles, Ireland and beyond. Their plaintive, melancholic and powerful sound world weaves together dark, earthy textures from acoustic instruments, improvisation, field recordings, and experimental sounds. With instruments such as harp, harmonium, banjo, strings, and flute, and their unpolished voices, the Collective bring a radical new lens to historical narratives. Following a stunning duo set at the 2024 Summer Festival, singer-songwriter Lucy Kitchen returns as the recipient of this year’s Turner Sims Turn It Up award. Lucy and her five-piece band perform songs from her forthcoming album, ‘In the Low Light’. Her influences span folk, Americana, and a little bit of country, infused with the feel of 70s singer-songwriters. Lucy’s original songs explore concepts of grief and loss. Her exquisite vocals are supported by guitars, double bass and drums plus pedal steel, piano and Hammond. Their warm sound world contrasts with the grit of Shovel Dance Collective.

Orchestra of the Swan return after an astounding performance at last year’s Summer Festival. This year, they bring their captivating concert, ‘Entranced by Candlelight’. ‘Entranced’ features breath-taking orchestral soundscapes curated from a variety of genres. The experience reignites our sense of wonder through sound, light and space. The programme ranges from the spiritual style of Arvo Pärt and the urban mantras of Philip Glass to the cinematic incantations of Radiohead and the dreamscapes of Brian Eno. ‘Entranced’ reconnects us with the radical mystery of music, and its deep connection with notions of ritual, initiation, healing, ecstasy and revelation. This will be a mesmerising live event, all enhanced by the warmth and beauty of candlelight.

A playful music theatre show for families. Two musical gardeners go on an adventure to raise a seedling and raise a racket. Rake & Roll! The Sleeping Seeds are a pair of musical gardeners who have a very special seed asleep in their seed bed. Join them as they nurture and encourage this little seed to mature and take its place in the world. The artists Fox & Rocha combine their signature sounds of voice, harp, strings and bellows, alongside sounds with unusual instruments, including garden objects such as watering cans and trowels. Expect catchy songs, unusual instruments and fun joining in! This is a relaxed performance suitable for ages 2+ and their adults This show is British Sign Language interpreted.

Jazz Sabbath are a jazz trio from the UK that plays instrumental jazz interpretations of Black Sabbath songs. Helmed by pianist Adam Wakeman (Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne’s solo band since 2004), the group explores the boundaries between jazz and the songs that defined heavy metal, echoing already present jazz riffs and discovering new ones. Presenting themselves as a jazz trio formed in 1968 and the original writers of the tracks later made famous by Black Sabbath, they released their self-titled debut album in 2020. In 2022, their second album was released, entering the Billboard jazz album chart at number six. A European tour followed, which saw the group play sold-out shows at the EFG London Jazz Festival and other venues across the continent.

One of the most distinctive voices in jazz and improvised music today, Laura Jurd’s unique approach to the trumpet is celebrated in the work that she creates. Laura’s love of folk traditions can often be heard in her music, alongside a background in classical composition, taking twists and turns that both invite surprise and evoke the inevitable. In the past couple of years, Laura’s love of traditional music has deepened having played alongside the likes of Irish fiddle player Ultan O’Brien and English accordionist Martin Green (one third of super-group Lau). This autumn sees Laura returning to the stage, presenting her astonishing new album, ‘Rites & Revelations’ release due October 2025. The music takes the listener on a journey of ritual and catharsis, propelled by the world-class rhythm section of Ruth Goller – bass and Corrie Dick – drums, alongside strikingly brilliant folk musicians Ultan O’Brien and Martin Green.

Prepare to be transported by the extraordinary, beautiful and ethereal sounds of ice. The ice music pioneer, Terje Isungset, returns to the UK with his quartet, featuring voice, ice harp, ice horn, iceophone, ice percussion and ice bass. This ice concert is a tribute to the most important thing in the whole world – nature. It is based on music from Terje’s albums, ‘Winter Songs’ and ‘Beauty of Winter’, alongside new material from their ‘Ice Quartet’ album, released in November 2024. The instruments are made during Terje’s annual Ice Music Festival in Norway. They are carved and crafted using only natural frozen ice from the lakes.

Born in Dungiven in 1975, surrounded and infused with the rich cultural heritage of her native County Derry, Cara has risen to become one of the finest exponents of traditional Irish song anywhere in the world. Together with her husband and musical partner, Sam Lakeman, she has succesfully steered an eclectic musical path defying the typical pigeonholes that hinder most artists in her genre. Celebrated for entwining traditional and contemporary elements she has earned both commercial success and astonishing critical acclaim. Whether she's singing her native traditional songs of lost love and emigration, or original compositions, you will be hard pressed to find a more emotive and captivating performer. Cara Dillon is at the very top of her field and one has the feeling she'll remain there for a very long time.

An interactive performance that blends poetry, rap, and music for a tongue-in-cheek rock show perfect for little people aged 0 to 5. Poet and performer Arji Manuelpillai and jazz and rock guitarist Matt Smith join forces to create this unforgettable show full of energy, rhythm, and fun. Suitable for ages 0 - 5 and their adults. Sing along to timeless favourites like ‘Old MacDonald,’ ‘Wheels on the Bus,’ and ‘Sleeping Bunnies,’ all with a fresh, exciting twist that will have both children and grown-ups bopping along.

One of Mali’s most beloved and dynamic artists, Rokia Koné is a force to be reckoned with. She has a voice that soars above infectious Mande guitar grooves and traditional percussion. Her captivating performances run the gamut of emotion from joy to despair, fury to tenderness. She wields that astounding voice with grace and power. Born and raised in Ségou, the cradle of the ancient Bamana kingdom, Rokia draws on a rich tradition of griot storytelling. She has a deep connection with her Malian ancestry. Her unique abilities in melodic improvisation were honed over years of late-night residencies in the legendary music clubs of Bamako. They have earned her a place as one of West Africa’s most exciting vocalists. In 2017 she joined the all-female music collective Les Amazones d’Afrique, who use music as a vehicle to campaign for gender equality in Africa. Her widely-lauded debut album BAMANAN was produced in collaboration with rock producer Jacknife Lee (U2, R.E.M., Taylor Swift). It brought her two All Africa Music Award nominations and The New York Times Critic’s Pick. Now Rokia is putting her gritty, soaring, griot-infused vocals to Malian guitar and a West African percussive pulse. It’s the sound of an emerging legend replenishing her roots.

A double-bill of outstanding jazz as part of the Sounds of Denmark Festival, featuring some of the finest musicians from one of Europe’s most creative and vibrant jazz scenes. Tonight opens with the warm, melancholic folk-influenced Nordic-jazz noir of tenor sax-led Cecilie Strange Quartet, followed by cinematically influenced, dreamy original soundscapes and trip-hop grooves from Astral Cinema.

11am, 12.15pm & 2.30pm Duration: 40 minutes Award winning Jazz singer-songwriter Ni Maxine (Jazz FM Breakthrough Act of the Year 2025), brings her ‘Baby Jazz Club’ to Turner Sims for the first time. If you and your little one want to groove on down together, or if you want to sit back and snuggle whilst Ni’s amazing music surrounds you, join us for intimate jazz club vibes at a family friendly time of day! Suitable for 0-3 Year olds and their adults

The Gildas Quartet open the season with one of the most important string quartets of the 20th century, performed from memory. Shostakovich was born on this day, September 25, 1906, and 2025 marks 50 years since his death. Written in just three days, his compact Quartet No 8 is described by one writer as ‘a dense quartet [which] contains a lifetime of music’. The most popular of his 15 quartets, the Gildas will explore the background to the 20-minute work and play musical examples. Beethoven’s beloved ‘Rasumovsky’ quartets were named after his patron, Count Razumovsky, who requested three quartets ‘with Russian Melodies, real or imitated’. Jessie Montgomery’s ‘Strum’ is hailed as a ‘classic’ of the 21st century. It dates from 2008 in its version for string quartet and is the perfect invigorating opener to the new season.

A delicious retelling of a fairy tale classic, featuring storytelling, stunning live music, and theatrical magic! Get your dessert spoons ready for a tale of perseverance, princes, palace balls, glass slippers and, um, ice cream? Over the last four decades, Cinderella’s has become the kingdom’s most beloved ice cream company, with a parlour on every street corner. But how did a humble ice cream maker with not a penny to her name end up as a multimillionaire business woman with her own ice cream empire? In this new musical for families and children, join Talvi and Caldwell, loyal employees of Cinderella’s, as they share her rags to riches tale, and confront their own desires, hopes, and the magic that lies within each scoop of Cinderella’s legendary ice cream. Perfect for children and families alike, this exciting storytelling musical is inspired by the classic fairy tale of Cinderella, but with an ice cold twist. Let Little Seeds Music capture your heart and tickle your taste buds! Suitable for ages 5+ and their adults.

Turner Sims favourites, the London Mozart Players Chamber Ensemble are joined by special guests. They present two defining 20th century works. Vaughan Williams’s early masterpiece sets the words of A E Housman. Composed in 1909, ‘On Wenlock Edge’ provides an eerie foreshadowing to the many men lost in the Great War. Tenor Mark Le Brocq, who appeared with Welsh National Opera in its highly successful production of Britten’s ‘Death in Venice’, brings his unique perspective. Pianist Anna Tilbrook joins the LMP for a work which writer Gerard McBurney described as ‘a chamber-music classic of the 20th century’. Shostakovich’s work proved immediately popular with the public when it was first performed. It also won Shostakovich his first Stalin Prize, the highest decoration given at the time to the country’s most elite artists.

The perfect opportunity to have some special time with your baby, connecting through music and sensory play. Presented by Concerteenies, this relaxed concert will offer a calm and welcoming environment for you to share with your baby. Join Annabelle Lawson (piano), Meera Maharaj (flutes) and creative practitioners Polly Ives and Sarah Carroll for lullabies as we slow down and cosy up for winter. With sound-healing percussion including gongs, sansula and koshi chimes, bubbles, scarves and more! Suitable for pre walkers and their families.

Join Concerteenies for the musical story of ‘Blown Away’, for children aged 3+ and their families. ‘Penguin Blue and his friends are in for a surprise! It all starts with a windy day and a brand new kite… Come fly away with Penguin Blue as he gets caught in a gust of wind and the adventure begins.’ Travel through the wintry antarctic to the Jungle tropics with Meera Maharaj (flutes), Annabelle Lawson (piano) and Polly Ives (narrator). This new musical story is composed by award-winning Paul Rissmann based on the book by Rob Biddulph and digital animation by Victor Craven. The concert also features Saint Saens’s ‘Aviary’ from ‘Carnival of the Animals’, Kaija Sarriaho’s ‘Couleurs du Vent’, Florence Price’s ‘Adoration’ and Lord Kitchener’s calypso ‘London is the Place for Me’ (featured in the film ‘Paddington’). Join in with songs and actions in a relaxed and friendly environment. This is a perfect introduction to music, storytelling and animation.

Three of the UK’s most celebrated folk and jazz musicians come together to create mesmerising, lyrical music. Three of the UK’s most creative, multi award winning musicians create music that weaves together the essence of folk and jazz. Two time winner of the BBC Folk Awards Singer of the Year, June Tabor rose to fame in the mid ‘70’s. She has maintained a high profile career ever since, working with the likes of Maddy Prior and the Oyster Band amongst many others. Listed in the BBC’s 100 Jazz Legends, Iain Ballamy is one of the UK’s most celebrated jazz musicians and composers. Welsh pianist Huw Warren’s distinctive and enticing music has led to collaborations with Maria Pia de Vito, Mark Feldman and Erik Truffaz. Drawing on original compositions, traditional folk songs and reclaimed standards, Quercus create a magical atmosphere. They combine June’s passionate voice with Iain’s glorious melodies and Huw’s off-kilter musicality. Together they create beautifully poignant music that tells life’s bittersweet tales.

A warm evening of stunning festive music from the multi-prize-winning Connaught Brass. Christmas is a time for tradition. This cracker of a programme romps through the exuberant final chorus of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and seasonal Tchaikovsky. Traditional tunes and baroque classics are rounded off with the seasonal favourite ‘Have yourself a merry little Christmas’. Connaught Brass are quickly making a name for themselves as a fresh talent in the chamber music world. They have already made their debut at the Lucerne Festival and London’s Wigmore Hall. Their ability to manipulate and unify sound earned them 1st Prize in the Inaugural Philip Jones International Brass Ensemble Competition (2019) and the Royal Overseas League Mixed Ensemble Competition (2022). Vibrant, spirited and bold, Connaught Brass place emphasis on their friendship with one another to showcase their individual musical personalities within a unique collective sound. Join us for music that gift wraps festive joy with interludes of serene reflection.

Two extraordinary artists join forces to perform one of the greatest song cycles. Internationally renowned tenor Allan Clayton has a magnetic stage presence and and extraordinarily flexible and consistent vocal range. He is the recent winner of the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera for his role in Mark-Anthony Turnage’s new opera ‘Festen’ at Royal Ballet & Opera, Covent Garden. He performs repertoire from the Baroque through to works by the leading composers of today. Tonight, he combines with another giant of the classical music world, pianist Paul Lewis. Together they bring Schubert’s setting of 24 poems by Wilhelm Müller to life. Composed in 1827, just a year before Schubert’s premature death, ‘Winterreise’ is by turn highly emotional, desolate and spare. Writing to his friend and fellow composer Josef von Spaun Schubert declared: ‘I will sing you a cycle of eerie songs. I am keen to see what you will make of them. They have affected me more than any other songs’.

British jazz pianist and composer Julian Joseph and his exciting trio perform new jazz that explores immersive soundscape technology. Described as a revolution in the way we perceive sound, this is a must see and hear. New music has been specifically composed by Julian to show how emotion and drama can be enhanced by the immersive technology. He and his trio marry acoustic sound with digital processing capability that can be achieved on the fly; in a split second. Recognised as one of the finest jazz musicians this side of the Atlantic, Julian has been a towering figure in jazz for over two decades. He has devoted his long career to championing music, both across the UK and into the far corners of the world. He has forged a reputation with his formidable skills as a composer and phenomenal performer. He is a highly knowledgeable and engaging broadcaster, musical ambassador and cultural advocate. He is joined by Alok Verma on tablas, percussion and voice, and Kaidi Akinnibi on tenor saxophone. Tonight’s performance links to the awarding of an honorary degree from the University of Southampton which Julian Joseph receives in Summer 2025.