This is London Magazine May Edition 2026 - Flipbook - Page 14
The Flaming Lips
14
SOMERSET HOUSE SUMMER SERIES
WITH AMERICAN EXPRESS
Somerset House Summer Series with
American Express returns from
16–26 July, bringing a diverse, genrespanning line-up to one of London’s
iconic open-air venues. A cornerstone of
Somerset House’s cultural programme
since 2003, the series is known for
hosting intimate, one-night-only
performances from globally acclaimed
and emerging artists.
This year’s line-up reflects innovation
and individuality across music, featuring
headliners including The Flaming Lips,
Black Country, New Road, The Cribs,
Agnes Obel, Lightning Seeds, Palace,
Benjamin Clementine, Thee Sacred Souls,
Venna, Naïka and Raf-Saperra. Each act
has been selected for their cultural impact
and distinctive artistic voice, continuing
the festival’s legacy of showcasing
boundary-pushing talent.
Opening the series on 16 July, Naïka
brings her genre-blending pop sound to
the courtyard, followed by Palace’s
atmospheric indie rock. Highlights across
the programme include Thee Sacred
Souls’ modern soul, Lightning Seeds’
nostalgic British anthems, and The Cribs’
high-energy indie. Agnes Obel’s cinematic
soundscapes and Black Country, New
Road’s experimental approach further
underline the series’ diversity.
The second half features jazz innovator
Venna, Punjabi fusion artist Raf-Saperra,
and legendary psych-rock band The
Flaming Lips, whose live shows are
renowned for their spectacle. The festival
closes with Mercury Prize-winner
Benjamin Clementine, returning as one of
the few repeat headliners.
Somerset House Summer Series with
American Express runs from 16 – 26 July.
Tickets are on sale now via
metropolismusic.com
BEETHOVEN 9 WITH OXFORD
PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
On Monday 8 June at 19:30,
Cadogan Hall will host an evening
celebrating the brilliance of Ludwig van
Beethoven and Cyprus’s Presidency of
the European Union. The programme
features two monumental works: the
Choral Fantasy in C minor, Op. 80 and
the celebrated Symphony No. 9 in D
minor, ‘Choral’, Op. 125, performed by
the acclaimed Oxford Philharmonic
Orchestra.
The concert opens with the radiant
Choral Fantasy, performed by muchpraised young pianist Anna Avramidou.
Combining piano, chorus and orchestra,
the work offers a powerful prelude to
Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
In the second half, conductor Marios
Papadopoulos leads the Oxford
Philharmonic Orchestra, joined by
distinguished vocal soloists Zoe
Nicolaidou, Shakira Tsindos, Sotiris
Charalampous and Yiorgo Ioannou,
alongside the renowned Crouch End
Festival Chorus. Esteemed violinist
Rainer Küchl appears as guest
concertmaster.
Presented with the support of the
Cultural Section of the Cyprus High
Commission, this flagship event
promises a stirring celebration of unity,
artistry and the universal spirit of
Beethoven’s music.
Visit www.cadoganhall.com
T H I S I S L O N D O N M A G A Z I N E • T H I S I S L O N D O N O N L I N E • w w w. t i l . c o m • @ t h i s i s l o n d o n m a g
