Southbank Centre monthly listings March 2024

MARCH

Welcome to the Southbank Centre We launch into March with a showcase of contemporary dance works, performed by Ballet national de Marseille and selected by the company’s artistic directors, radical dance collective (LA)HORDE. Since forming in 2013, (LA)HORDE has collaborated with the likes of Sam Smith and Madonna – but this is the first major presentation in London of this thrillingly exciting dance company.

A celebration of the rich landscape of South Asian music, our new South Asian Sounds music series launches with an incredibly diverse line-up, filling our halls with internationally renowned artists from many genres and traditions.

Our spring literature season arrives this month, continuing until June. The season includes a wide range of events shining a light on today’s most vital issues and featuring unique multiartform events, including an evening with Nobel Prize-winning novelist Kazuo Ishiguro and platinum-selling jazz singer Stacey Kent.

Make sure you plan a visit to our current Hayward Gallery exhibition, When Forms Come Alive, which brings together playful and energetic sculptures from 21 international artists in a show that invites surprising encounters with the artworks as you explore throughout the gallery.

Mark Ball Artistic Director

Refurbishing the Royal Festival Hall's Level 2 foyers Our much-loved foyer spaces on Level 2 of the Royal Festival Hall are being refurbished from Tuesday 20 February, and we can’t wait to unveil the results. This does mean some disruption for the moment, so thank you for bearing with us. There are many other locations to relax and find refreshments across the site, including in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, which is open from 10am during the works.

The accessibility of our foyers is firmly rooted in our history. Since the introduction of our open foyer policy in 1983, they have been open to the public, creating a space in the heart of London where everyone is welcome. It’s always a pleasure to see the Royal Festival Hall foyers being used as welcoming spaces, as a meeting spot for friends and family, for calm reflection or by visitors to our many free events.

These improvement works will preserve the heritage of the site and ensure that our foyers remain a place for everyone to enjoy in the years to come – we look forward to welcoming you back to them soon.

Elaine Bedell OBE Chief Executive

Find out more about the works and alternative facilities on our website

Until Monday 6 May

Five things to know about When Forms Come Alive Our current Hayward Gallery exhibition spans 60 years of restless sculpture, and features 21 international artists

If you pay the Hayward Gallery a visit right now, you'll find the galleries filled with sculptural forms that seem to ooze, undulate, blossom, erupt and sprawl: artworks that appear to have an uncanny life of their own. Here are five things to know about the gallery’s latest exhibition, the playful and lively When Forms Come Alive.

Several works in the exhibition have a playful, humorous or comedic dimension

Forms of organic life have influenced many of the show’s artists

The oldest work in the exhibition is by Ruth Asawa

From termite mounds to spider webs, elements of landscape or parts of bodies, these sculptures evoke natural forms with the implication that they might grow, evolve or writhe. They are, in the words of artist Holly Hendry, ‘twitching with life’.

Many of the works have richly textured surfaces or forms The exhibition includes a number of works that invite a tactile gaze and create an almost bodily response. Matthew Ronay’s intricate and brightly coloured sculptures are carved from wood, but their strange forms are also familiar: drawn from biological and botanical references that recall the interior landscape of our own bodies, they are reconfigured as mysterious miniature ecosystems.

The works suggest altered, or dream-like, versions of familiar things and beings The sculptures in the exhibition are abstract, yet they call to mind a wide range of forms, and in doing so take on a kind of uncanny presence.

Phyllida Barlow was inspired by a strange childhood memory of large, anthropomorphic forms and her sculptures are so animated they teeter, balanced in precarious poses that echo the artist’s description of ‘restless’ sculpture.

The strange and lumpy forms of Franz West seem provisional and deliberately off-balance, drawing on a slapstick-like physicality. His work reminds us that the ambiguity of forms can be both profound and absurd.

Her hanging sculptures are made from looped wire, a technique that she began experimenting with in the late 1940s. The resulting forms have a lightness and transparency that belies their complexity. Interior spheres create nesting forms with varying densities, creating patterns of light and shadow.

Intrigued? Visit the exhibition to come face to face with the fascinating forms on display.

When Forms Come Alive is on until Monday 6 May, and features the works of Ruth Asawa, Nairy Baghramian, Phyllida Barlow, Lynda Benglis, Michel Blazy, Paloma Bosquê, Olaf Brzeski, Choi Jeong Hwa, Tara Donovan, DRIFT, Eva Fàbregas, Holly Hendry, EJ Hill, Marguerite Humeau, Jean-Luc Moulène, Senga Nengudi, Ernesto Neto, Martin Puryear, Matthew Ronay, Teresa Solar Abboud and Franz West.

Discover more about the exhibition and book online

March highlights South Asian Sounds

A series of unforgettable concerts brings together some of the biggest names in South Asian music with cutting-edge new voices and crossgenre collaborations.

South Asian Sounds spotlights contemporary and classical music from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, as well as ambitious UKbased artists and collectives working at the intersection of cultures and genres, from bhangra to jazz, and qawwali to club music.

Taking place over four days, South Asian Sounds is part of the Southbank Centre’s ongoing mission to reflect and support the breadth of creative communities represented in London and the UK, creating an exciting space of interplay and experimentation between tradition and innovation.

Thursday 7 – Sunday 10 March

See all the events and book on our website

Also this month...

Ballet national de Marseille: Roommates

An Evening with Kazuo Ishiguro and Stacey Kent

Manchester Collective & Fergus McCreadie

Six dance works take in everything from ghost stories to grime, in a programme celebrating the influences of dance collective (LA)HORDE, directors of Ballet national de Marseille since 2019.

Nobel Laureate Kazuo Ishiguro and jazz musician Stacey Kent share crossovers and collaborations in their work, in an evening of words and music.

In a double bill, the pianist and his trio of jazz musicians join the Manchester Collective for a joyful fusion of styles, ending with a late-night ceilidh.

Saturday 30 March

Friday 15 March

James McVinnie: Bach, Buxtehude & Pachelbel

Sonique + Baby D + Rozalla

Relaxed Hours: When Forms Come Alive

The organist begins his residency with a concert marking the 70th birthday of the Royal Festival Hall organ, part of a weekend of celebrations.

Take a trip to clubland as these three iconic artists come together to reignite dance culture, accompanied by a live band.

A way to experience our exhibition at the Hayward Gallery in more relaxed conditions, with additional support such as a Relaxed Hours Studio and touchable materials.

Friday 1 – Sunday 3 March

Saturday 23 March

Friday 15 March

Tuesday 26 March

Art & exhibitions

From internationally acclaimed artists at the Hayward Gallery to free displays and outdoor installations, art and exhibitions can be found all around our site Throughout the month

Sunday 3

When Forms Come Alive

Uncovering Careers in Exhibition-Making

Undulating, drooping, erupting sculptures feature in this Hayward Gallery group exhibition, spanning over 60 years of contemporary art.

Until Mon 6 May; Tue – Fri, 10am – 6pm; Sat, 10am – 8pm; Sun, 10am – 6pm (closed Mon); Hayward Gallery; Standard £18/Hayward Gallery supporter* £19.80, Tue – Fri & after 5pm on Sat; Standard £19/Hayward Gallery supporter* £20.90, Sat before 5pm & all day Sun (free to Southbank Centre Members & under-12s)

A Birthday Garland If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to walk inside a single word, this free exhibition of work by artist Mary Kuper is for you.

For all ages.

Until Sun 12 May; Tue, 12 noon – 6pm; Wed – Sun, 12 noon – 8pm (closed Mon); National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free

Find out what goes into putting on a public exhibition in this behindthe-scenes tour, talk and Q&A for 16 – 25 year olds.

12 noon; Hayward Gallery; Free, but ticketed

When Forms Come Alive: Artists’ Talk Hear from artists Paloma Bosquê, Holly Hendry and Teresa Solar Abboud, whose works feature in our Hayward Gallery exhibition.

3.30pm; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £12

Saturday 9

Dialled In Presents Unbound Archives Part of South Asian Sounds South Asian storytelling shines in this day of vinyl DJ sets, crate digging, conversation and film.

2pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10

British Sign Language Tours: When Forms Come Alive

Friday 22

Artist Rubbena Aurangzeb-Tariq leads a BSL tour of When Forms Come Alive, discussing the artists’ ideas and techniques behind the sculptures.

A series of short films explore the links between rave culture and contemporary art in 1990s Poland.

For ages 12+.

6.30pm; Hayward Gallery; £8, includes entry to exhibition

Monday 11

Primary Schools Takeover: When Forms Come Alive Primary schools are invited to a free, peer-led introduction to our restless sculpture exhibition.

Primary school groups, years 3 – 6.

10.30am; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free, but ticketed

Rave: Recharge – Film Screening

6.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £5

Tuesday 26

Relaxed Hours: When Forms Come Alive Experience our Hayward Gallery exhibition in more relaxed conditions, with additional support such as Touch Tours and a Relaxed Hours Studio, a space to play, create, and reflect with artists on the themes of the exhibition.

10am – 3pm; Hayward Gallery; Same as exhibition prices (for info on free community bursary tickets, for those with financial barriers, contact haywardrelaxedhours@ southbankcentre.co.uk)

Literature & talks

We’re the home of literature and spoken word events in the UK, and our programme brims with today’s bestselling authors, rising literary stars and award-winning poetry Friday 8

Sunday 17

Sunday 24

Saturday 30

Rug Rhymes at the NPL

Out-Spoken Masterclass: March

Grace Blakeley: Vulture Capitalism

An Evening with Kazuo Ishiguro and Stacey Kent

Dip into your creative inkwell with our monthly poetry workshops, open to writers of all abilities. For ages 18+.

The acclaimed political commentator presents a searing discussion on where capitalism has gone wrong. Speech-to-Text Transcribed (STT). For ages 14+.

The Nobel Laureate and worldrenowned jazz musician share connected words and music.

British Sign Language interpreted (BSL). For ages 16+.

7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15

7pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20 – £30

Share songs and poems with your little ones in a short session of nursery rhymes for under-5s.

11am; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; £4 (admits one adult and one child)

1pm; Sunley Pavilion, Level 3, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £20

Wednesday 13

Poetry London Spring Readings Lend a hand in launching the spring season’s issue of Poetry London at this event featuring poetry readings. For ages 16+.

7.15pm; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £10

Friday 15

Rug Rhymes at the NPL See Friday 8 March.

11am; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; £4 (admits one adult and one child)

Thursday 21

Thursday 28

Too Much Too Young: The Story of 2 Tone Records

Out-Spoken: March

Join us for a conversation about 2 Tone: a record label and type of music that shaped British culture.

For ages 16+.

7.15pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £12

Joelle Taylor hosts our regular poetry night, this month featuring poets Nikki Giovanni, Mary Jean Chan and Hannah Lavery, with music from Anjelo Disons and Kadija Kamara. British Sign Language interpreted (BSL).

For ages 16+.

7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £12

Booking fees apply online (£3.50) and over the phone (£4). There are no booking fees for in-person bookings, Southbank Centre Members, Supporters Circles and Patrons. * Supporter tickets include a voluntary donation of at least 10% of the standard admission charge, to support the Southbank Centre’s work. If you buy a supporter ticket and make a Gift Aid declaration, we can claim the tax paid on the full ticket price, not just the donation.

Classical music

Our programme celebrates the incredible 500-year history of classical music, bringing to life celebrated works from the past and telling brand new stories

Wednesday 6

Thursday 7

London Philharmonic Orchestra: Haydn's Creation

London Philharmonic Orchestra: FUNharmonics Family Concert – Goal!

London Philharmonic Orchestra: Dance Re-imagined

Philharmonia Orchestra: Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time

The music in the universe meets the music in you. When Haydn wrote The Creation, he imagined an entire cosmos inspired and animated by creativity.

Edward Gardner conductor Louise Alder soprano Allan Clayton tenor Michael Mofidian bass-baritone London Philharmonic Choir Haydn The Creation (performed in English)

Grab your favourite football shirt and join us for this fun, participatory concert. For ages 6+.

Charlotte Politi conductor Clarice Assad presenter Rossini Excerpt from Overture, The Thieving Magpie; Fauré Sicilienne from Pelléas et Mélisande; Barry Stoller Theme from Match of the Day; Clarice Assad E Gol!; Rossini Excerpt from Overture, William Tell

Hear one of the essential compositions of the 20th century in this free early evening concert.

Philharmonia Chamber Players Zsolt-Tihamér Visontay violin Mark van de Wiel clarinet Karen Stephenson cello Tom Poster piano Messiaen Quatuor pour la fin du temps

7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £14 – £70

12 noon; Royal Festival Hall; £16 – £24 (adult) £8 – £12 (child)

Sunday 3

Free pre-concert activities from 10am (ticket holders only)

Choreographer Wayne McGregor and artist Ben Cullen Williams team up with Edward Gardner for a cross-artform reinvention of Szymanowski's ballet Harnasie, featuring a kinetic, sculptural video installation.

Wayne McGregor direction and choreography Ben Cullen Williams sculpture design, film creation and AI development Company Wayne McGregor original dance Edward Gardner conductor Robert Murray tenor Flemish Radio Choir Tania León Raices (Roots) (World premiere); Ravel La valse; A Body for Harnasie (based on Szymanowski’s Harnasie)

Saturday 2

OAE TOTS at LPO FUNharmonics: Get Moving!

Dive into the magic of music at this interactive children’s workshop led by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. For ages 2 – 5.

10.15am, 11.15am & 12.15pm; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £9 (adult) £3 (child)

7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £14 – £70

6pm; Royal Festival Hall; Free, but ticketed

Philharmonia Orchestra: Santtu and Frank Dupree in a Jazz Concerto

Thursday 14

At the heart of this colourful programme is a jazz piano concerto by Ukraine-born composer Nikolai Kapustin.

Santtu-Matias Rouvali conductor Frank Dupree piano Glinka Capriccio brillante on the theme ‘Jota aragonesa' (Spanish Overture No.1); Kapustin Piano Concerto No.5 (UK premiere); Borodin Symphony No.2 in B minor; Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio Espagnol

Embark on a relentless journey through soul and mind in a new immersive, theatrical production of Schubert’s Winterreise.

Allan Clayton tenor Schubert Winterreise – a composed interpretation by Hans Zender for tenor & chamber orchestra

7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £15

Afghan Youth Orchestra: Breaking the Silence Part of South Asian Sounds The Afghan Youth Orchestra, currently in exile in Lisbon, performs a very special concert as part of South Asian Sounds.

7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £25 – £55

Friday 8

Allan Clayton & Aurora: Winterreise

7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £65

Philharmonia Orchestra: Beethoven & Bruch with Nicola Benedetti The star violinist is the perfect interpreter of Bruch’s rhapsodic Scottish Fantasy, a homage to her homeland.

Pablo Heras-Casado conductor Nicola Benedetti violin Farrenc Overture No.1 in E minor, Op.23; Bruch Scottish Fantasy, Op.46; Beethoven Symphony No.5 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £20

Leo Twins & Zeeshan Ali

Friday 15

Part of South Asian Sounds Vocal virtuoso Zeeshan Ali joins forces with the talented instrumental duo for a fusion of styles.

Manchester Collective & Fergus McCreadie (Double Bill)

7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £35 – £75

Saturday 9

Pratibha Singh Baghel: The Symphony of Love Part of South Asian Sounds Pratibha Singh Baghel, the sensational singer, makes her UK debut live in concert with Chineke!

Orchestra.

7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £30 – £90

Sunday 10

Indian Folk: Malini Awasthi & Anwar Khan Manganiar Part of South Asian Sounds Folk singers Malini Awasthi and Anwar Khan reveal the diversity of Indian song.

1pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20 – £45

Kaushiki Chakraborty Part of South Asian Sounds The khayal vocalist transports you away from daily life with an afternoon of raga music.

2pm; Royal Festival Hall; £25 – £100

Nishat Khan & Irshad Khan – Together: Jugalbandi Part of South Asian Sounds Virtuosos Nishat Khan and Irshad Khan return to the Southbank Centre in a duet performance for sitar and surbahar.

7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £25 – £55

This double bill includes a joyful fusion of jazz and Scottish folk music in the hall, followed by a ceilidh. For ages 16+. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.

Fergus McCreadie Forest Floor - excerpts; Traditional Scottish Tunes arr. Donald Grant (London premiere); Christian Mason Muttos; Eki Attar; Fergus McCreadie New works (London premiere) 8pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £35 for entry to both shows

Manchester Collective: After Dark Ceilidh Join Fergus McCreadie and the ensemble for a special late-night ceilidh. For ages 16+. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.

9.15pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; £10 for entry to this show only

Saturday 16

London Philharmonic Orchestra: The Gift of Youth Violinist Julia Fischer gives life to a brand new violin concerto written specially for her by the young British composer Daniel Kidane.

Edward Gardner conductor Julia Fischer violin Hera Hyesang Park soprano Elizabeth Watts soprano Pavel Kolgatin tenor Ashley Riches bass-baritone London Philharmonic Choir Mozart Overture, The Magic Flute; Daniel Kidane Violin Concerto (Aloud) (World premiere); Mozart Mass in C minor (Great) 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £14 – £70

Allan Clayton & Aurora: Winterreise See Thursday 14 March.

7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £65

Sunday 17

The Bach Choir: St Matthew Passion This annual performance of the Bach oratorio, sung in English, is a much-anticipated fixture in London's musical calendar.

Florilegium David Hill conductor Ed Lyon Evangelist Simon Shibambu Christ Lucy Crowe soprano Jennifer Johnston mezzo-soprano Joshua Ellicott tenor Roderick Williams baritone London Youth Choirs Bach St Matthew Passion (performed in English) 11am; Royal Festival Hall; £10 – £74

BBC Concert Orchestra: Sibelius – Songs of Love and Freedom The orchestra and soprano Julia Sporsén perform a programme including songs by Sibelius and his First Symphony, along with the world premiere of Dominique Le Gendre’s Concerto for orchestra.

Anna-Maria Helsing conducts.

7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £30

Wednesday 20

London Philharmonic Orchestra: La Mer High spirits and the high seas.

Debussy dreamed of being a sailor, and when he composed La mer he worried that he hadn't done justice to the beauty of the sea.

Dima Slobodeniouk conductor Martin Helmchen piano Prokofiev Symphony No.1 in D (Classical); Strauss Burleske in D minor for piano & orchestra; Sibelius The Oceanides; Debussy La mer 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £14 – £70

Thursday 21

Philharmonia Chamber Players: Tchaikovsky Tchaikovsky only wrote three complete string quartets.

Astonishingly the first was written in just a few weeks, and it’s a richly rewarding listen.

Philharmonia Chamber Players Rebecca Chan violin David López Ibáñez violin Sylvain Séailles viola Ella Rundle cello Tchaikovsky String Quartet No.1 in D, Op.11 6pm; Royal Festival Hall; Free, but ticketed

Philharmonia Orchestra: Tchaikovsky & Mozart with the Jussen Brothers The brilliant Jussen brothers join the orchestra for sparkling Mozart, ahead of Tchaikovsky’s enduringly popular Fifth Symphony.

Eun Sun Kim conductor Lucas Jussen piano Arthur Jussen piano Texu Kim Spin-Flip; Mozart Concerto in E flat for 2 pianos, K.365; Tchaikovsky Symphony No.5 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £15

Friday 22

LPO Showcase: Crisis Creates Hear the results of a creative collaboration between people who’ve experienced homelessness and musicians from the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

6pm; Royal Festival Hall; Free

London Philharmonic Orchestra: Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare’s star-cross’d lovers have inspired composers for centuries, but nothing quite matches Prokofiev’s great ballet.

Gemma New conductor Randall Goosby violin Tchaikovsky Fantasy Overture, Romeo and Juliet (vers. standard, 1880); Mozart Violin Concerto No.3 in G, K.216; Prokofiev Excerpts from Romeo and Juliet 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £14 – £70

Saturday 23

James McVinnie: Bach, Buxtehude & Pachelbel Resident Artist organist James McVinnie performs glorious organ music, culminating in Bach’s great Prelude & Fugue in E minor.

5 Renaissance dances; Praetorius Courante a 4 from Terpsichore, TMA.173; Sweelinck Fantasia in echo style (Aeolian), SwWV.275; Puer nobis nascitur; Pachelbel Chaconne in F minor, P.43; Bohm Vater unser in himmelreich; Buxtehude Praeludium in F# minor, BuxWV.146; Bach Aria in F, BWV.587 (3’30); Prelude & Fugue in E minor, BWV.548 2pm; Royal Festival Hall; £20 Royal Festival Hall at 3.15pm: post-concert conversation with James McVinnie; Free

Booking fees apply online (£3.50) and over the phone (£4). There are no booking fees for in-person bookings, Southbank Centre Members, Supporters Circles and Patrons.

Classical music multi-buy: with our multibuy offers, you can book concerts from across our classical music programme and receive a discount. There is a small number of events that aren’t included in the multibuy offer. Check individual event pages on our website for further details.

Children aged 7+ are welcome at most Southbank Centre classical concerts, except where indicated.

MEMBERS GET Presale tickets

Get the first chance to book with priority booking.

Eye-popping art

See it all with a whole year of free entry to the Hayward Gallery.

Knockout views

Take in the Thames from your own Members’ Lounge.

Nicholas McCarthy: Journey into Left-Hand Piano The world’s only one-handed concert pianist takes us to the moon and back with great music.

Wagner Isolde's Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde arr. Liszt for piano, S.447 arr. Wittgenstein for left hand; Schubert Erlkönig, D.328 arr. Liszt for piano arr. Zichy for left hand; Julie Cooper Galilean Moons for piano left hand; Scriabin 2 Pieces for left hand, Op.9; Bach Chaconne from Partita No.2 in D minor, BWV.1004 arr.

Brahms for piano left hand; Bartók Study for the left hand, Sz.22 No.1 5pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £52.50 Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer at 4pm: preconcert talk on the history of left-hand piano; Free Queen Elizabeth Hall at 6.15pm: post-concert talk. Nicholas McCarthy in conversation with Samira Ahmed; Free

James McVinnie & Tristan Perich: Infinity Gradient Resident Artist James McVinnie and producer/composer Tristan Perich present their musical tour de force, merging primitive electronic waveforms with the sonic magnitude of the organ.

8pm; Royal Festival Hall; £20

Wednesday 27

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment: Easter Oratorio Olivier Award-winner Peter Whelan directs this performance of Bach’s joyous, breathtaking Easter Oratorio.

Peter Whelan director Madison Nonoa soprano Rebecca Leggett mezzo-soprano Ruairi Bowen tenor Malachy Frame baritone Choir of the Age of Enlightenment Bach Cantata No.66 'Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen'; Cantata No.6 'Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden'; Easter Oratorio, BWV.249 7pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £85

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: Icons Rediscovered – Elgar’s Symphony No.2 The orchestra hovers, poised.

It pulls back – and then surges forward in wave upon sweeping wave of golden sound, the opening of Elgar’s Second Symphony.

Vasily Petrenko conductor Yunchan Lim piano Smyth Overture, The Wreckers; Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No.3; Elgar Symphony No.2 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £10 – £55

Delicious discounts

Treat yourself with up to 20% off in our shops and restaurants.

Sunday 24

Southbank Centre Youth Voices: A Celebration of Song Our choir for young singers aged 10 – 18 show us what they've learned this spring term, joined by some special guests.

3pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free

Philharmonia Orchestra: Pictures at an Exhibition Crowning this evening’s programme, Mussorgsky’s bestloved work is a musical promenade around an exhibition.

Jakub Hrůša conductor Steven Isserlis cello Mussorgsky A Night on the Bare Mountain (vers. orig.); Kabalevsky Cello Concerto No.2, Op.77; Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition orch. Stokowski 3pm; Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £15

Iveta Apkalna: Organ at 70 with Bach

Join now from £69 southbankcentre.co.uk/join

Starting and finishing with the sound of Bach at his most magisterial, Iveta Apkalna’s organ playing is set to thrill in this recital.

Bach Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV.565; Pierné 3 Pièces, Op.29; Thalben-Ball Variations on a theme of Paganini for organ pedals; Liszt Prelude and Fugue on the name BACH, S.260; Boëllmann Suite Gothique, Op.25; Bach Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, BWV.582 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £20

Thursday 28

Colin Currie Group: Reich & Turnage Hear the world’s leading percussion ensemble live in concert, with masterpieces of minimalism and beyond.

Steve Reich Music for pieces of wood; Rolf Wallin Twine for xylophone & marimba; Julia Wolfe Dark full ride for percussion quartet; Steve Reich Drumming - Part 1; Mark-Anthony Turnage New England Etudes (UK premiere) 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £52.50

Saturday 30

Paddington Film in Concert Marmalade sandwiches at the ready! Watch the 2014 film on a giant HD screen, as the London Concert Orchestra plays Nick Urata’s calypso-infused score live.

For ages 7+.

2pm & 5.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £29.50 – £67.50 (adult) £22.13 – £50.63 (child)

Classical music multi-buy: with our multibuy offers, you can book concerts from across our classical music programme and receive a discount. There is a small number of events that aren’t included in the multibuy offer. Check individual event pages on our website for further details.

Children aged 7+ are welcome at most Southbank Centre classical concerts, except where indicated.

Gigs Whatever you’re into, join us for gigs showcasing sensational sounds from across the globe, including performances as part of new series South Asian Sounds

Thursday 7

Saturday 9

Friday 15

futuretense x Dialled In: Aayushi + Golden Roots

Dialled In Presents Unbound Archives

Sonique + Baby D + Rozalla

Part of futuretense This edition of our free music series presents a dynamic double bill rooted in British and South Asian folk music.

Part of South Asian Sounds South Asian storytelling shines in this day of vinyl DJ sets, crate digging, conversation and film.

Step into the realm of electronic beats: three iconic artists unite for a night of rhythm and energy.

6pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free

Friday 8

Soumik Datta: Mone Rekho Part of South Asian Sounds Memories and time-cycles collide in this multidisciplinary concert by the composer and sarod player.

6.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; Free

The King of Bhangra, Malkit Singh Golden Star Part of South Asian Sounds The bhangra vocalist behind the hit ‘Kali Ainak’ performs live.

7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £25 – £55

Concrete Lates x Dialled In Part of South Asian Sounds The artist-led movement launches their South Asian Sounds takeover at a session featuring DJs Anu and Kiss Nuka. For ages 18+ only.

10.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; £12.50 – £20

2pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10

7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £25 – £35

Friday 22

Dialled In Presents Ustad Noor Bakhsh + Pritt

Rave: Recharge – Film Screening

Diverse influences collide as Pakistani maestro Ustad Noor Bakhsh headlines his UK debut in a double bill with vocalist Pritt.

A series of short films explore the links between rave culture and contemporary art in 1990s Poland.

For ages 12+.

8pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £22.50 – £32.50

6.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £5

Sunday 10

Concrete Lates x Rave: Recharge

Khiyo: From Bangladesh to Britain Part of South Asian Sounds See a performance by the innovative London-based band giving Bengali heritage music a modern, fresh sound.

3pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £22.50

New Soundz: Jason Singh & Sarathy Korwar Part of South Asian Sounds A collaboration between the innovative sound artist and versatile jazz musician.

7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20 – £30

NYX Vocal Workshop: Tones, Bones and Drones Explore being part of a collective voice in this vocal workshop with drone choir NYX. For ages 16+.

7pm; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £5

Friday 29

Simmer Down: Good Friday Family Special Part of Spring Family Fun Feel the reggae rhythm at a family edition of our daytime dance.

Relaxed Performance (RP). For all ages.

1pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free

Norman Jay's Good Times Band

Celebrate rave culture on a charged dance floor spanning three decades of electronic music.

For ages 18+ only.

Tap into a rare groove as dance scene legend Norman Jay MBE brings his signature sound to the decks. For ages 14+.

9pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; £12.50 – £20

7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £25 – £45

Thursday 28

futuretense: KATYA + MAVICA Part of futuretense Soulful lyrics and personal narratives make this an intimate edition of our free concert series.

6pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free

Booking fees apply online (£3.50) and over the phone (£4). There are no booking fees for in-person bookings, Southbank Centre Members, Supporters Circles and Patrons.

Family

Our events are not just for the grown-ups – bring your little ones along for an introduction to classical music, and to rhyme along at the National Poetry Library Sunday 3

OAE TOTS at LPO FUNharmonics: Get Moving!

Dive into the magic of music at this interactive children’s workshop led by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. For ages 2 – 5.

10.15am, 11.15am & 12.15pm; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; £9 (adult) £3 (child)

London Philharmonic Orchestra: FUNharmonics Family Concert – Goal!

Grab your favourite football shirt and join us for this fun, participatory concert. For ages 6+.

Charlotte Politi conductor Clarice Assad presenter Rossini Excerpt from Overture, The Thieving Magpie; Fauré Sicilienne from Pelléas et Mélisande; Barry Stoller Theme from Match of the Day; Clarice Assad E Gol!; Rossini Excerpt from Overture, William Tell 12 noon; Royal Festival Hall; £16 – £24 (adult) £8 – £12 (child) Free pre-concert activities from 10am (ticket holders only).

Wednesday 6, 13 & 20

Friday 29

Southbank Centre Youth Voices

Simmer Down: Good Friday Family Special

Aged 10 – 18 and curious about singing? Join our group to discover the joy of singing together.

Part of Spring Family Fun Feel the reggae rhythm at a special family edition of our regular monthly meet-up and daytime dance. Relaxed Performance (RP). For all ages.

5pm; Various venues; Free (email emergingartists@southbankcentre.co.uk to sign up)

Friday 8 & 15

1pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free

Rug Rhymes at the NPL

Saturday 30

Share songs and poems with your little ones in a short session of nursery rhymes for under-5s.

Paddington Film in Concert

11am; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; £4 (admits one adult and one child)

Marmalade sandwiches at the ready! Watch the 2014 film on a giant HD screen, as the London Concert Orchestra plays Nick Urata’s calypso-infused score live.

For ages 7+.

2pm & 5.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £29.50 – £67.50 (adult) £22.13 – £50.63 (child)

Performance & dance

Bold dance works in a UK premiere and a concert that crosses art forms: discover international performance here in our venues Friday 1 – Sunday 3

Wednesday 6

Ballet national de Marseille: Roommates

London Philharmonic Orchestra: Dance Re-imagined

Dancers from Ballet national de Marseille perform six pieces – from minimalist to hyper-realist – chosen to celebrate the influences of dance collective (LA)HORDE, who have directed the company since 2019.

Various times; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20 – £45

Choreographer Wayne McGregor and artist Ben Cullen Williams team up with Edward Gardner for a cross-artform reinvention of Szymanowski's ballet Harnasie, featuring a kinetic, sculptural video installation.

Wayne McGregor direction and choreography Ben Cullen Williams sculpture design, film creation and AI development Company Wayne McGregor original dance Edward Gardner conductor Robert Murray tenor Flemish Radio Choir Tania León Raices (Roots) (World premiere); Ravel La valse; A Body for Harnasie (based on Szymanowski’s Harnasie) 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £14 – £70 Booking fees apply online (£3.50) and over the phone (£4). There are no booking fees for in-person bookings, Southbank Centre Members, Supporters Circles and Patrons.

Free events

There's lots to see and do for free this month, including gigs from up-and-coming artists, early evening concerts and daytime dances

Throughout the month

Thursday 7

Thursday 21

Thursday 28

A Birthday Garland

futuretense x Dialled In: Aayushi + Golden Roots

Philharmonia Chamber Players: Tchaikovsky

futuretense: KATYA + MAVICA

Part of futuretense This edition of our free music series presents a dynamic double bill rooted in British and South Asian folk music.

Tchaikovsky only wrote three complete string quartets.

Astonishingly the first was written in just a few weeks, and it’s a richly rewarding listen.

Philharmonia Chamber Players Rebecca Chan violin David López Ibáñez violin Sylvain Séailles viola Ella Rundle cello Tchaikovsky String Quartet No.1 in D, Op.11

Part of futuretense Soulful lyrics and personal narratives make this an intimate edition of our free concert series.

If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to walk inside a single word, this free exhibition of work by artist Mary Kuper is for you. For all ages.

Until Sun 12 May; Tue, 12 noon – 6pm; Wed – Sun, 12 noon – 8pm (closed Mon); National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free

Saturday 2

Discovering Careers in the Arts Discover routes into diverse jobs in the arts that you might not know existed, with the help of people who make the creative arts industries run. For ages 14 – 18.

10.30am; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free, but ticketed

Sunday 3

Uncovering Careers in Exhibition-Making Find out what goes into putting on a public exhibition in this behindthe-scenes tour, talk and Q&A for ages 16 – 25.

12 noon; Hayward Gallery; Free, but ticketed

Wednesday 6, 13 & 20

Southbank Centre Youth Voices Aged 10 – 18 and curious about singing? Join our group to discover the joy of singing together.

5pm; Various venues; Free (email emergingartists@southbankcentre.co.uk to sign up)

Thursday 7, 14, 21 & 28

Skylark Sessions: New Threads Pick up new textiles and embroidery skills at a series of free workshops for local older adults.

All activities have modifications to accommodate everyone’s experience and access needs. For ages 50+.

11am; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; Free (email artsandwellbeing@ southbankcentre.co.uk to sign up)

6pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free

Philharmonia Orchestra: Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time Hear one of the essential compositions of the 20th century in this free early evening concert.

Philharmonia Chamber Players Zsolt-Tihamér Visontay violin Mark van de Wiel clarinet Karen Stephenson cello Tom Poster piano Messiaen Quatuor pour la fin du temps 6pm; Royal Festival Hall; Free, but ticketed

6pm; Royal Festival Hall; Free, but ticketed

Friday 22

LPO Showcase: Crisis Creates Hear the results of a creative collaboration between people who’ve experienced homelessness and musicians from the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Friday 8

6pm; Royal Festival Hall; Free

Mix & Move: Queer Latinx Fusion

Sunday 24

Join us for this Mix & Move session as we overturn the outdated traditions of ballroom dancing.

Anyone can take the lead, no matter their gender. For all ages.

4pm – 6pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free

Soumik Datta: Mone Rekho Part of South Asian Sounds Memories and time-cycles collide in this multidisciplinary concert by the composer and sarod player.

6.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; Free

Monday 11

Primary Schools Takeover: When Forms Come Alive Primary schools are invited to a free, peer-led introduction to our restless sculpture exhibition.

Primary school groups, years 3 – 6.

10.30am; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free, but ticketed

Southbank Centre Youth Voices: A Celebration of Song Our choir for young singers aged 10 – 18 show us what they've learned this spring term, joined by some special guests.

3pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free

6pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free

Friday 29

Simmer Down: Good Friday Family Special Part of Spring Family Fun Feel the reggae rhythm at a special family edition of our monthly meet-up and daytime dance. Relaxed Performance (RP).

For all ages.

1pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free

Upcoming highlights Spring Family Fun A world of creativity, imagination and discovery awaits. Bring the whole family to join us during the Easter holiday and May half-term for vibrant and diverse performances and free activities for everyone.

This spring, you’re invited to take a thrilling journey into the worlds of mythical beasts, rhythmic grooves, marvellous music and more as we celebrate the magic of the arts.

Friday 29 March – Sunday 2 June

Also coming soon

Nightmares on Wax & The Outlook Orchestra

Paraorchestra: Trip the Light Fantastic

Hofesh Shechter: From England with Love

For its 25th anniversary, the iconic trip-hop album Carboot Soul by Nightmares on Wax, released on Warp, is reimagined by a 26-piece orchestra in a one-off show.

Sound and light collide in a sensory concert experience created by Paraorchestra in collaboration with Surgeons Girl and Oliver Vibrans.

Playful and poignant, full of pride and paradox, new dance work From England with Love is a peek into the heart and soul of this multifaceted place.

Friday 19 April

Friday 12 April

Wednesday 17 – Saturday 20 April

RuPaul: The House of Hidden Meanings

Patricia Kopatchinskaja: Everyday Non-sense

Chaka Khan’s Meltdown

If we’re all born naked and the rest is drag, this is RuPaul stripped bare, telling his remarkable story with meditations on life, love, and finding your voice.

A concert-theatre experience created by the trailblazing violinist transforms the stage into a living room, animated by works by Schnittke, Ligeti and Cage.

Sunday 7 April

Wednesday 24 April

We've just announced the next curator for our artist-curated music festival: Chaka Khan brings her incredible voice and global influence to Meltdown. Stay tuned for details of the line-up.

Friday 14 – Sunday 23 June

Eat & explore Find your new favourite spot at the Southbank Centre While the Royal Festival Hall’s Level 2 foyers are having a spruce up – starting from Tuesday 20 February – it’s a great time to explore our other spaces and discover new spots for meeting, eating and catching entertainment.

Our Queen Elizabeth Hall is not only a great place to see fabulous live events; open daily from 10am throughout the refurbishment, it’s also a top spot to grab a cake and a coffee while you work or watch the world go by on the riverside below. The brutalist Concrete Cafe offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere, ideal for escaping spring showers.

The menu features favourites like bakery delights, sandwiches, seasonal soups, vegan options and the ever-popular Well Grounded coffee. And if you’re after

a cool spot to meet friends once the sun goes down, it doesn’t get much better than a glass of something chilled overlooking the metropolitan skyline.

During the works, this stylish space also serves as a backdrop for activities that usually take place in The Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall, including our monthly Mix & Move free dance sessions.

For performances taking place in the Royal Festival Hall auditorium, you’re still welcome to get pre-show and interval drinks at the bars on Level 4 and Level 5.

Discover all our spots to find great food and drink around the Southbank Centre on our website. southbankcentre.co.uk/foodanddrink

Shop Hayward Gallery exhibition exclusives Our Hayward Gallery exhibition When Forms Come Alive, on until Monday 6 May, is an intriguing world of sculptures that appear to be melting, rippling, blossoming and breathing. Inspired by these playful artworks, our curated shop collection invites you to take a little bit of inspiration home with you.

Featuring organic, colourful shapes and products that spotlight independent craftspeople, the collection offers plenty of delights to bring your spaces alive, including ceramics, glass, jewellery and books.

Delve deeper into the secret lives of sculptural works with the exhibition catalogue, books by some of the featured artists, and posters and postcards to take the experience away with you and share with friends.

Or set your sights on the range of products inspired by the exhibition, including looping, tactile mugs from Milo Made Ceramics, guaranteed to brighten your morning, and quirky, handmade earrings by Hello Terry to turn outfits into works of art.

The Hayward Gallery Shop is open during gallery hours, Tue – Fri, 10am – 6pm; Sat, 10am – 8pm; Sun, 10am – 6pm. You can find this fabulous selection of collector-worthy gifts, ornaments, homeware and more to shake up the everyday in our on-site shops and online. shop.southbankcentre.co.uk

How to book tickets

Queen Elizabeth Hall & Purcell Room

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National Theatre

Online southbankcentre.co.uk* By phone 020 3879 9555* For information about concessions, see southbankcentre.co.uk *Booking fees apply online (£3.50) and over the phone (£4). There are no booking fees for in-person bookings, Southbank Centre Members, Supporters Circles and Patrons. Booking fees for Hayward Gallery exhibition tickets: £3 online, £3.50 over the phone.

Scan the QR code to see our full event listings.

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Access IMAX

The Southbank Centre is accessible to all and level access is available to all of our venues. For further information and details of accessible events, see our website. southbankcentre.co.uk/access

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To receive London publications Waterloo East in alternative formats, and for About the Southbank Centre further information, email We’re the largest arts centre in the UK and one of the nation's top visitor London accesslist@southbankcentre.co.uk artists at our venues Eye attractions, showcasing the world’s most exciting Waterloo in the heart of London. We’re here to present great cultural experiences or phone 020 3879 9555. that bring people together, and open up the arts to everyone.

An audio version of this publication The Southbank Centre is made up of the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, Hayward Gallery, National Poetry Library Waterloo Station is available online at and Arts Council Collection. We're also one of London’s favourite meeting spots, with lots of free events and places to relax, eat and shop next to the Thames.

We hope that you enjoy your visit – and if you need any information or help, please ask a member of staff.

Royal Festival Hall foyer refurbishment From Tuesday 20 February, we’re refurbishing the Level 2 foyer spaces of the Royal Festival Hall. Thanks for your patience during the upgrades.

During the works, the Level 2 Ticket Office, cafe, bar, shop and seating areas are unavailable, but the Queen Elizabeth Hall’s Concrete Cafe and Ticket Office are open daily from 10am.

The Level 4 and Level 5 bars of the Royal Festival Hall are also offering a limited menu from 60 minutes before an event, and you can visit the Southbank Centre Shop on Mandela Walk, or shop our full range online.

The National Poetry Library, Members’ Lounge and Hayward Gallery are open as usual.

While you’re here Find more to explore on-site at Beany Green, Côte Brasserie, Foyles, Giraffe, Honest Burgers, La Gamba, Las Iguanas, Ping Pong, Pret, Strada, Skylon, wagamama and Wahaca.

Southbank Centre Food Market With a huge choice of street food and drinks from around the globe, the Southbank Centre Food Market is a must-visit.

Fri, 12 noon – 8pm; Sat, 11am – 8pm; Sun, 12 noon – 6pm; Southbank Centre Square, Belvedere Road

Environmental sustainability Environmental sustainability is hugely important to the Southbank Centre and is one of our strategic priorities, and we’re already making progress towards our aim of being a net zero carbon organisation by 2040. For further information, see our website. southbankcentre.co.uk/sustainability

Stay in the know Sign up to our email updates and be the first to hear about new events, offers and competitions. Just head to our website and hit subscribe.

This guide has been made using 100% recycled paper.

Listings correct at time of going to press (2024).

Southbank Centre is a registered charity no. 298909

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soundcloud.com/southbankcentreaudio Membership Become a Member to get the first chance to book for all our events, including go-down-in-history gigs, sublime symphonies and live literature. Members also get access to our Members’ Lounge, free entry to the Hayward Gallery year-round and a discount on selected retailers and restaurants. Check our website for more details. southbankcentre.co.uk/membership

Supporters Circles Enjoy all of the benefits of Membership, as well as getting closer to the artists with invitations to rehearsals, openings and more. southbankcentre.co.uk/join

Name a seat Dedicate a seat in one of our concert halls to your favourite person. southbankcentre.co.uk/nameaseat On the cover Ustad Noor Bakhsh performs on Saturday 9 March as part of our South Asian Sounds series.

Image credits On the cover: Ustad Noor Bakhsh © Khaula Jamil Inside cover: Installation view of Tara Donovan, Untitled (Mylar) 2011/2018. When Forms Come Alive (7 February – 6 May 2024). Photo: Jo Underhill. Courtesy the Hayward Gallery.

This month's highlights: Dialled In Presents Unbound Archives © Yushy; Roommates © Aude Arago; An Evening with Kazuo Ishiguro and Stacey Kent © Bianca Bagnarelli; Fergus McCreadie © Phil Sharp; James McVinnie © Graham Westley Lacdao; Sonique © Jimmy King; Relaxed Hours: When Forms Come Alive © Kadiatou Diallo Header images: Art & exhibitions: Installation view of Teresa Solar Abboud, Tunnel Boring Machine, 2021, at BIG MOUTH. WITHIN BOUNDARIES. OOZING OUT, 1646 Experimental Art Space, The Netherlands. Photo: Jhoeko, courtesy of the artist and Travesía Cuatro.

Colección Fundación ARCO. Depósito Museo CA2M. Literature & talks: National Poetry Library © Pete Woodhead; Classical music: Nicholas McCarthy; Gigs: DJ Norman Jay © Dean Chalkley; Family: Paddington Film in Concert © P&Co. Ltd; Performance & dance: Weather is Sweet © Blandine Soulage; Free events: Golden Roots © Hark1karan Upcoming highlights: Dragons and Mythical Beasts © Robert Day; Nightmares on Wax © Viktor Sloth; © Paraorchestra; Hofesh Shechter: From England with Love © Miguel Altunaga; Patricia Kopatchinskaja © Arnaud Mbaki; Chaka Khan © Jo Metson Scott Eat & explore: Concrete Cafe © Keith Collie; © Milo Made Ceramics