SEPTEMBER
Welcome to the Southbank Centre
At the end of September, classical music bursts back onto our stages after the summer break. Taking in everything from virtual reality experiences to towering choral symphonies, our Opening Weekend showcases the enormous scope and ambition of our classical music programme as a whole. In the UK’s home of classical music, join us to marvel at it in all its forms.
Shining a spotlight on work by disabled artists across multiple art forms, the biennial festival Unlimited is back this month. As ever, it’s jampacked with surprising, thoughtful, immersive and uplifting performances. With its hugely varied line-up, Unlimited challenges narratives around disability and demonstrates our commitment to platform diverse stories and to make the arts accessible to all.
Unlimited brings to a close this year’s summer season, You Belong Here, with its focus on conversation, connection and community. It’s been a joyous programme, and we hope that you have found – and continue to find – the very warmest of welcomes here at the Southbank Centre.
Mark Ball
Artistic Director, Southbank Centre
From Wednesday 25 September
Dive into our classical music programme
Packed with exhilarating live concerts and immersive experiences from world-class artists, our Opening Weekend begins a whole new year of classical music
Our Autumn/Winter 2024/25 classical programme begins at the end of this month with our five-day Opening Weekend. Featuring an incredible line-up of artists, orchestras and ensembles, it opens a programme that celebrates imaginative brilliance and the storytelling power of music. The weekend is designed so that you can attend every event, and get a taste of what’s to come throughout Autumn/Winter.
Orchestral wonders
Two of our six Resident Orchestras kick off the weekend with staggering symphonic works. The London Philharmonic Orchestra presents Beethoven's mighty Eroica to open its memorythemed season. The Philharmonia Orchestra launches its exploration of Nordic music with a rare performance of Sibelius’ Kullervo, joined by the Finnish choir that sang at the work’s premiere back in 1892.
The power of strings
To launch his residency here, viola player Lawrence Power teams up with leading composer Thomas Adès for a magical programme celebrating song and dance.
The evening features works by Adès, Britten, Purcell, Tippett and Stravinsky, plus a percussionist and a dancer.
The inventive musicians of Scottish Ensemble highlight the versatility of strings with a concert of varied contemporary classical works, closing with Philip Glass’ meditative Symphony No.3.
Going solo
Celebrated rebel of the piano world Igor Levit makes his Royal Festival Hall solo debut, performing dazzling works by Bach and Brahms, and ending with another Beethoven symphony – this time the Seventh, transcribed for keyboard by Liszt.
In Light Stories, a specially commissioned concert experience, cellist Matthew Barley tells a personal story of healing and redemption. The performance includes works by Bach, Anna Meredith, Joby Talbot and Barley himself, with visuals created by Yeast Culture.
New forms and new stories
Dynamic ensemble The Multi-Story Orchestra returns with Verified. A story for all ages about the search for authenticity and acceptance
in the digital age, Verified blends orchestral instrumentation with R&B, reggaeton and rap.
If you’ve not yet experienced Paraorchestra’s immersive performance format, where you can wander between the different sections of the ensemble as they play, don’t miss out.
During our Opening Weekend they’re performing Górecki’s beautiful and poignant Symphony of Sorrowful Songs – it’s going to be spellbinding. And throughout the weekend, drop in to the Philharmonia’s Virtual Orchestra for a free 360-degree virtual reality experience from within an orchestra.
At our Opening Weekend and beyond, join us for powerful, uplifting and inventive classical music experiences – we’ll see you there.
Discover all of the events in our Autumn/Winter programme online
September highlights
Also this month...
Abnormally Funny People IRL
Join a gaggle of irreverent, internationally renowned funny people, most of whom are disabled, for an evening hosted by Simon Minty and Steve Best.
Sunday 8 September
Michael Turinsky: Precarious Moves
This humorous solo performance explores movement, mobility and the connection – and disconnect – between the body and its surroundings.
Friday 6 September
Unlimited
Celebrating the artistic vision and creativity of disabled artists, the biennial festival is back with outstanding dance, performance, comedy, music, poetry, art and inclusive club nights.
A stellar line-up of performers and companies explore themes from the profound to the satirical, including gaslighting, mental health, parenthood, loss, (im)mortality – and surviving the apocalypse.
This year’s festival boasts some of the UK and Europe's most exciting new work, including London premieres of Stopgap Dance Company’s Lived Fiction and Touretteshero's Burnt Out in Biscuit Land, plus theatre company FlawBored’s It’s a Mother F**king Pleasure and a new commission by Abnormally Funny People.
And keeping the energy up until late, Disco Neurotico brings its first neurodiverse club night to London, plus Deaf Rave brings together talented Deaf DJs for a free, multi-sensory party.
Wednesday 4 – Sunday 8 September
Find out more about the festival on our website
Qudus Onikeku’s Re:INCARNATION
Nigeria’s celebrated QDance Company explodes onto the stage with the UK premiere of this exuberant performance.
Wednesday 18 & Thursday 19 September
Concrete Lates x fabric
The iconic club marks 25 years at the forefront of electronic music with a line-up of DJs and live performances, featuring JASSS, Bitter Gold, Blackhaine and Space Afrika.
Friday 13 September
Ara Malikian
The Lebanese-Armenian violinist and his band present an eclectic evening of music bridging classical and contemporary sounds.
Sunday 22 September
Diane Abbott: A Woman Like Me
Diane Abbott, who made history as Britain’s first Black woman MP, talks to Afua Hirsch about her new memoir telling the story of our nation through her eyes.
Thursday 12 September
Classical music
A brand new year of thrilling classical music begins with our Opening Weekend, filled with fresh approaches to timeless classics and forward-thinking artists
Sunday 15
The Best of John Williams
Embark on a journey through the composer’s most iconic film scores with the London Concert Orchestra.
Anthony Inglis conductor Programme includes: music from Star Wars, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Terminal, The Witches of Eastwick, Schindler's List, Munich & Hook
3pm; Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £18.50
Wednesday 25
London Philharmonic Orchestra: Joyce
DiDonato Sings Berlioz
Part of Opening Weekend
Beethoven's Eroica makes an explosive start to the LPO’s new season, devoted to the subject of memory.
Edward Gardner conductor Joyce DiDonato mezzo-soprano Barber Medea's Dance of Vengeance, Op.23a; Berlioz La mort de Cléopâtre for soprano & orchestra; Beethoven Symphony No.3 (Eroica)
7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £14
Thursday 26
Philharmonia Orchestra: Santtu Conducts
Sibelius & Grieg
Part of Opening Weekend
To open the Philharmonia's Nordic Soundscapes series, wise and wonderful pianist Stephen Hough plays one of the most popular piano concertos in the repertoire, and a Finnish choir joins the orchestra for Sibelius’ tale from the Kalevala Santtu-Matias Rouvali conductor Stephen Hough piano Johanna Rusanen soprano Tommi Hakala baritone Ylioppilaskunnan Laulajat Male Voice Choir
María Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir Oceans (London premiere); Grieg Piano Concerto; Sibelius Kullervo 7pm; Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £15
Thursday 26 – Sunday 29
Philharmonia Orchestra: Virtual Orchestra –Sibelius
Part of Opening Weekend
Drop in to this free virtual reality experience, pop on a headset and find out what it's like to sit right in the middle of the Philharmonia Orchestra in full flow. For ages 5+. 10am – 7pm (closes 3pm on Sunday); Blue Side Foyer, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Friday 27
Igor Levit: Bach, Brahms & Beethoven
Part of Opening Weekend
An evening of dazzling pianism and evocative romanticism with one of today’s most compelling performers, pianist Igor Levit.
JS Bach Chromatic fantasia and fugue in D minor, BWV.903; Brahms 4 Ballades, Op.10; Beethoven Symphony No.7 arr. Liszt for piano
7pm; Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £15
Lawrence Power with Thomas Adès: Fairy-Tale Dances
Part of Opening Weekend
Viola player and visionary Lawrence Power begins his residency with a programme inspired by fairy-tale dances from across the centuries.
Lawrence Power viola, violin
Thomas Adès piano
Paul Stoneman percussion dancer to be announced
Purcell Full fathom five from The Tempest arr. Thomas Adès; Thomas Adès Berceuse No.2 from The Exterminating Angel arr. viola & piano; Britten Waltz from Suite, Op.6 arr. viola & piano; Tippett Come unto these yellow sands from Songs for Ariel; Dowland If my complaints could passions move; Britten Lachrymae (Reflections on a song of Dowland) for viola & piano, Op.48; Thomas Adès Märchentänze for violin & piano; Berio Naturale for viola, percussion & recorded voice; Stravinsky Divertimento from The Fairy's Kiss arr. Stravinsky & Dushkin for violin & piano
9pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £15
Saturday 28
The Multi-Story Orchestra: Verified
Part of Opening Weekend
A story for all ages about the pressures of social media, Verified blends orchestral instrumentation with contemporary styles like R&B, reggaeton and rap. For all ages. Hyeyoon Park violin
The Multi-Story Young Creatives with Kate Whitley Verified for violin, percussion, soprano, young voices & orchestra
4pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £10
Matthew Barley: Light Stories
Part of Opening Weekend
Light Stories is a passionate celebration of the redemptive power of music. Tales from Matthew Barley’s life unfold through music and projected imagery. The performance incorporates pieces by Joby Talbot, Anna Meredith, John Metcalfe and Bach with new works by Barley, connected by moments of improvisations and electronics, with visuals from Yeast Culture.
5.30pm & 9.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £25
London Philharmonic Orchestra: Edward Gardner Conducts
Rachmaninov
Part of Opening Weekend
For Sergei Rachmaninov, the sound of bells embodied the eternal soul of Russia, and he poured all his imagination into this sumptuous choral symphony.
Edward Gardner conductor Leif Ove Andsnes piano
Kristina Mkhitaryan soprano
Dmytro Popov tenor
Kostas Smoriginas bass-baritone
London Philharmonic Choir Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No.3; The Bells (Choral Symphony)
7pm; Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £14
Sunday 29
Philharmonia Orchestra: Notes on Nature 1 –The Sea
Part of Opening Weekend
The first of four conversations on the environment, part of the Philharmonia’s Nordic Soundscapes series.
12.30pm; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free, but ticketed
Philharmonia Orchestra:
Santtu Conducts Sibelius & Nielsen
Part of Opening Weekend
Playful, rippling flutes conjure sea nymphs at a Philharmonia concert that roams the Nordic coast.
Santtu-Matias Rouvali conductor
Bomsori Kim violin
Sibelius The Oceanides; Nielsen Violin Concerto; Miho Hazama
What the wind brings (with film) (UK premiere); Sibelius Symphony No.3 in C
3pm; Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £15
Paraorchestra: Symphony of Sorrowful Songs
Part of Opening Weekend
Get closer to Górecki’s hauntingly beautiful meditation on loss and transcendence at an immersive performance.
Charles Hazlewood conductor
Victoria Oruwari soprano Górecki Symphony No.3 (Symphony of Sorrowful Songs), Op.36
5.30pm & 8.30pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £15
Scottish Ensemble Performs Philip Glass
Part of Opening Weekend
Performing music that delights, surprises and challenges, this ambitious group encourages the listener to explore new musical paths and connections.
Anna Meredith Tull; Sculthorpe Deciso from String Sonata No.3 (Jabiru Dreaming); Caroline Shaw Moss & Stem from The Evergreen; Jörg Widmann 180 beats per minute; Bryce Dessner Resonance & Des traces from Réponse Lutoslawski Jonny Greenwood Proven Lands from There Will Be Blood; Philip Glass Symphony No.3 7pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £15
Booking fees apply online (£3.50) and over the phone (£4). There are no booking fees for in-person bookings, Southbank Centre Members and Supporters Circles.
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.
Performance & dance
Discover international performance here in our venues, this month featuring extraordinary dance, London premieres and new commissions as part of Unlimited festival
Wednesday 4
Stopgap Dance Company: Lived Fiction
Part of Unlimited
Revered dance company Stopgap invites you to experience dance from multiple perspectives. This is a Relaxed Performance, Captioned and features integrated Audio Description. A Touch Tour is available. For ages 12+.
7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £15
Thursday 5
Chisato Minamimura: Mark of A Woman
Part of Unlimited
Projection, animation and performance trace the relationship between women’s bodies and tattoos. British Sign Language interpreted (BSL). Audio Description is available. For ages 14+.
7.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £15
Friday 6
Michael Turinsky: Precarious Moves
Part of Unlimited
A solo performance exploring the tension between the body and its environment. Captioned. For ages 12+.
7pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £14
Martin O’Brien: An Ambulance to the Future
Part of Unlimited
In this humorous and haunting performance, Death pays a man for sex. The price is immortality. British Sign Language interpreted (BSL). For ages 18+.
8.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £10
Saturday 7
Krystal S. Lowe: New Growth
Part of Unlimited
Run away with dancer and choreographer Krystal S. Lowe to rediscover what’s lost in growing up. Relaxed Performance. Audio Description is available. For all ages.
1pm & 3pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Midgitte Bardot: Shooting from Below
Part of Unlimited
A show about gaslighting, power and performance, told through musical theatre, drag and live art. Relaxed Performance. Speech-toText transcribed (STT). For ages 16+.
7.45pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £8
Elle Chante: Accessible Dreamscapes
Part of Unlimited
Sink into an immersive music event exploring performance from a disabled perspective. British Sign Language interpreted (BSL) and Speech-to-Text transcribed (STT). For ages 16+.
8pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free, but ticketed
Saturday 7 & Sunday 8
Jo Bannon: Sleight of Hand
Part of Unlimited
Tumble into a tactile installation for curious fingers and unbelieving eyes. This participatory installation is designed for both sighted and non-sighted audiences, and has integrated Audio Description, Sighted Guiding, a Touch Tour and some Captions.
2pm – 5pm; Blue Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £12
Touretteshero: Burnt Out in Biscuit Land
Part of Unlimited
With the world in chaos, three neurodiverse inhabitants of an apocalyptic bunker try to survive. The live introduction is Speechto-Text transcribed, the film is Captioned and Audio Description is available. British Sign Language interpreted (BSL): Sat 7 Sep. For ages 14+.
7pm; Undercroft, Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £12
Also available as a live stream; Speechto-Text transcription, Captions and Audio Description are available on the live stream; Tickets from £10
FlawBored: It’s a
Motherf**king Pleasure
Part of Unlimited
A scathing satire on the monetisation of identity politics, from theatre company FlawBored. Captioned. Integrated Audio Description. British Sign Language interpreted (BSL): Sun 8 Sep, 2pm. For ages 16+.
Various times; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £15
Sunday 8
Touretteshero's Biscuit Land Cabaret
Part of Unlimited
Discover fantastic work by disabled artists on themes of joy, resistance, invisibility and isolation. For all ages.
5pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Abnormally Funny People IRL
Part of Unlimited
Join a gaggle of irreverent, internationally renowned funny people for an evening of laughs. Relaxed Performance. British Sign Language interpreted (BSL) and Speech-to-Text transcribed (STT). For ages 14+.
7pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £12
StammerMouth: CHOO CHOO!
Part of Unlimited
A playful and interactive show exploring intrusive thoughts and OCD. Features integrated Audio Description, and partly integrated British Sign Language (BSL). For ages 16+.
7.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £14
Wednesday 18 & Thursday 19
Qudus Onikeku’s Re:INCARNATION
Nigeria’s celebrated QDance Company explodes onto the stage with this exuberant performance. Audio Description and Touch Tour available: Thu 19 Sep. For ages 12+.
7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Tickets from £20
Friday 27
Mix & Move: Afrobeats with Kiduku Rhythms
Join us to shake it out into the weekend at our monthly Mix & Move social dance. For all ages.
3pm – 5pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; 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.
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.
Delicious discounts Treat yourself with up to 20% off in our shops and restaurants.
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 awardwinning poetry
Throughout the month
Making Poetry: Astra Papachristodoulou
Part of You Belong Here Poems exist as sculpture, objects and textiles in the visual poet and artist’s debut solo exhibition.
Until Sun 5 Jan; Tue, 12 noon – 6pm; Wed –Sun, 12 noon – 8pm (closed Mon); National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Sunday 1
Gillian Anderson: Want
The actor discusses her new book, a collection of sexual fantasies from women around the world. British Sign Language interpreted (BSL) and Speech-to-Text transcribed (STT). For ages 18+.
7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £15
Wednesday 4
Raymond Antrobus: Signs, Music
Part of Unlimited
The acclaimed poet and author launches his new collection, exploring masculinity and fatherhood. This is a Relaxed Performance and British Sign Language interpreted (BSL). For ages 16+.
7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £12
Special
Edition: Other Languages, Othered Worlds
Five poets present work which traverse linguistic boundaries to disrupt the social order. For ages 16+.
8pm; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £7
Wednesday 11
David McWilliams: Money
Global economist David McWilliams presents his new book unlocking the mysteries of money. Speechto-Text transcribed (STT). For ages 16+.
7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £15
Thursday 12
Diane Abbott: A Woman Like Me
Britain’s first Black woman MP discusses her new memoir, a look at the nation through her eyes. Speech-to-Text transcribed (STT). For ages 14+.
7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £15
Saturday 21
Making Poetry: Experimenting with Interactivity
Make your own interactive poems in a workshop led by poet and artist Astra Papachristodoulou. For ages 16+.
10am; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £7
Jess Phillips: Let's Be Honest
The MP takes us on a whistlestop tour of chaos, culture wars and democracy in British politics. Speech-to-Text transcribed. For ages 16+.
3pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £15
Carol Vorderman Live & Outspoken!
Carol Vorderman discusses her unlikely pivot from daytime television to political activism. For ages 16+.
7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £41.50
Sunday 22
ESEA Lit Fest:
Closing Night
Join us for readings and conversations from some of the most exciting voices in ESEA literature. Speech-to-Text transcribed (STT). For ages 16+.
Out-Spoken: September
Joelle Taylor hosts our monthly live poetry and music night, sharing world-class poets and artists. For ages 16+.
7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £12
Friday 13 & Friday 27 Rug Rhymes
Introduce under-5s to a love of poems with National Poetry Library puppets Federico and Firebird.
11am; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £4 (admits one adult and one child)
Friday 20
Elizabeth Strout: Tell Me Everything
The author of Olive Kitteridge introduces her latest novel, a tale of new friendships and old loves. Speech-to-Text transcribed. For ages 16+.
7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £15
7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £15
Wednesday 25
Sally Rooney: Intermezzo
The author of Normal People celebrates her new novel in conversation with writer Merve Emre. Speech-to-Text transcribed. For ages 16+.
7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; Tickets from £15
Also available as a live stream; Free
Sunday 29
Philharmonia Orchestra: Notes on Nature 1 –The Sea
Part of Opening Weekend
The first of four conversations on the environment, part of the Philharmonia’s Nordic Soundscapes series.
12.30pm; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free, but ticketed
Out-Spoken Masterclass: September
Flex your creative muscles in this three-hour weekend poetry workshop. For ages 18+.
1pm; Sunley Pavilion, Level 3, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £25
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 Majazz Project: Palestinian Sound Archive
Part of You Belong Here
Discover a project showcasing the richness and diversity of Palestinian and Arab musical heritage. For all ages.
Until Fri 1 Nov; Mon & Tue, 10am – 6pm; Wed – Sun, 10am – 11pm; Archive Studio, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Making Poetry: Astra Papachristodoulou
Part of You Belong Here
Poems exist as sculpture, objects and textiles in the visual poet and artist’s debut solo exhibition.
Until Sun 5 Jan; Tue, 12 noon – 6pm; Wed –Sun, 12 noon – 8pm (closed Mon); National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Sola Olulode: First Kiss
Sola Olulode’s painting imagines a queer couple at the beginning of their romance, creating a space for celebrating queer love.
Daily; Billboard Space, Queen Elizabeth Hall; Free
Klaus
Weber:
Thinking Fountains
An outdoor sculpture commission features two water-spouting bronze figures and a narrow waterfall cascading from an elevated concrete walkway.
Daily (subject to weather conditions and maintenance); Hayward Gallery Terrace; Free
Until Sunday 1
Tavares Strachan: There Is Light Somewhere
Encounter hidden figures, a ship floating on the London skyline and a walk-in encyclopaedia of lost pioneers in this vivid, exuberantly inventive exhibition.
Tue – Fri, 10am – 6pm; Sat, 10am – 8pm; Sun, 10am – 6pm (closed Mon); Hayward Gallery; Tickets from £18 (free to Southbank Centre Members & under-12s)
Naomi Rincón Gallardo: Sonnet of Vermin
Creatures of Mesoamerican folklore form a surreal choir calling for an end to colonial violence.
Tue – Fri & Sun, 10am – 6pm; Sat 10am – 8pm; HENI Project Space, Hayward Gallery; Free
Until
Sunday 8 You Belong Here
Public Art
Part of You Belong Here
Explore spectacular art across our site for free with thoughtprovoking works connected to the theme of this year’s summer season, You Belong Here Daily; Across the site; Free
Jeppe Hein's Appearing Rooms
Part of You Belong Here
A summer favourite on our site. By shooting jets of water into the air, the fountain creates rooms that disappear as quickly as they emerge.
Wed – Sun, 10am – 9pm (subject to weather conditions and maintenance), closed Mon & Tues; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Suzie Larke: Unseen
Part of Unlimited
Photographer Suzie Larke shares logic-defying work sparking conversations about mental wellbeing.
Daily; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
Saturday 7 & Sunday 8
Unlimited on Screen
Part of Unlimited
Explore a programme of Unlimited-commissioned films, available over two days of inperson screenings and online throughout the festival. Some films in the programme are Captioned.
The films are: Hen Night; Louder Is Not Always Clearer; Moving the Image/Moviendo la Imagen; No Sleep Just Clouds; Silent World 10.30am – 6pm; Blue Side Foyer, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free Also available online; Wed 4 – Sun 8 Sep; Free
Sunday 8
Two Destination Language: Hope & Ponies
Part of Unlimited
Find messages of hope and add your own to a banner installation, created by Two Destination Language. Relaxed Performance. For ages 16+.
11.30am; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; 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, and no booking fees for Hayward Gallery exhibition tickets.
Gigs
Whatever you’re into, join us for gigs showcasing sensational sounds from across the globe, including a late-night celebration of iconic venue fabric
Sunday 1
Back Together Again
Experience the community, joy and magic of singing in a group, with choir leader Mark De-Lisser. For all ages.
10.30am; Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £10
Thursday 5
Deaf Rave
Part of Unlimited
Join Deaf Rave for a free multisensory evening party with Deaf DJs, featuring heart-thumping rhythms, sign-songs and a Woojer zone. For all ages.
8.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
Saturday 7
Ruby Addy
Part of Unlimited
The musician shares joyful, thought-provoking music about identity, disability and lived experience. For all ages.
1.30pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Maddie Morris
Part of Unlimited
Passionately political, the singer’s folk songs tread the path between art and activism. For all ages.
2.15pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Disco Neurotico
Part of Unlimited
Relax into an innovative and inclusive new club night for the nervous and neurospicy. Relaxed Performance. For ages 18+.
9pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Tickets from £10
Thursday 12
futuretense: DEELA + Stacy N.K.R
Our free gigs series of up-andcoming artists features Lagosborn rapper DEELA and southeast London based rapper Stacy N.K.R.
6pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
Friday 13
Simmer Down
Get ready to feel the reggae rhythm at this free monthly daytime dance that'll get you grooving. For all ages.
1.30pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Concrete Lates x fabric
The iconic club marks 25 years at the forefront of electronic music with a line-up of DJs and live performances, featuring JASSS, Bitter Gold, Blackhaine and Space Afrika. For ages 18+.
9pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Tickets from £25
Thursday 19
futuretense: Saint Joshua + Kima Otung
Tune in to new talent at our twicemonthly free gigs, with this edition showcasing rising stars of R&B and pop songwriting.
6pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
Saturday 21
Premier Gospel Awards 2024
Feel the heartbeat of gospel at an event celebrating gospel music's power to inspire and unite. For ages 7+.
7pm; Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £40
Sunday 22
Ara Malikian
The violinist and his band present an evening of music bridging classical and contemporary sounds. For ages 7+.
7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £40
Family
Our events are not just for the grown-ups – bring your little ones along for rhymes and songs, and a splash in our terrace fountain before it closes
Until Sunday 8
Jeppe Hein's Appearing Rooms
Part of You Belong Here
A summer favourite on our site. By shooting jets of water into the air, the fountain creates rooms that disappear as quickly as they emerge.
Wed – Sun, 10am – 9pm (subject to weather conditions and maintenance), closed Mon & Tues; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Friday 13 & Friday 27
Rug Rhymes
Introduce under-5s to a love of poems with National Poetry Library puppets Federico and Firebird.
11am; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Tickets from £4 (admits one adult and one child)
Thursday 26 – Sunday 29
Philharmonia Orchestra: Virtual Orchestra –Sibelius
Part of Opening Weekend
Drop in to this free virtual reality experience, pop on a headset and find out what it's like to sit right in the middle of the Philharmonia Orchestra in full flow. For ages 5+.
10am – 7pm (closes 3pm on Sunday); Blue Side Foyer, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Fre
Free events
There's lots to see and do for free here this month, including art and exhibitions all around our site, multi-sensory parties and gigs from up-and-coming artists
Throughout the month
Majazz Project: Palestinian Sound Archive
Part of You Belong Here
Discover a project showcasing the richness and diversity of Palestinian and Arab musical heritage. For all ages.
Until Fri 1 Nov; Mon & Tue, 10am – 6pm; Wed – Sun, 10am – 11pm; Archive Studio, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Making Poetry: Astra Papachristodoulou
Part of You Belong Here
Poems exist as sculpture, objects and textiles in Astra Papachristodoulou’s debut solo exhibition.
Until Sun 5 Jan; Tue, 12 noon – 6pm; Wed –Sun, 12 noon – 8pm (closed Mon); National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Sola Olulode: First Kiss
Sola Olulode’s painting imagines a queer couple at the beginning of their romance, creating a space for celebrating queer love.
Daily, Billboard Space, Queen Elizabeth Hall; Free
Klaus Weber: Thinking
Fountains
An outdoor sculpture commission features two water-spouting bronze figures and a narrow waterfall cascading from an elevated concrete walkway.
Daily (subject to weather conditions and maintenance); Hayward Gallery Terrace; Free
Until Sunday 1
Naomi Rincón
Gallardo: Sonnet of Vermin
Creatures of Mesoamerican folklore form a surreal choir calling for an end to colonial violence.
Tue – Fri & Sun, 10am – 6pm; Sat 10am – 8pm; HENI Project Space, Hayward Gallery; Free
Until Sunday 8
You Belong Here
Public Art
Part of You Belong Here
Explore spectacular art across our site for free with thoughtprovoking works connected to the theme of this year’s summer season, You Belong Here Daily; Across the site; Free
Jeppe Hein's Appearing Rooms
Part of You Belong Here
A summer favourite on our site. By shooting jets of water into the air, the fountain creates rooms that disappear as quickly as they emerge.
Wed – Sun, 10am – 9pm (subject to weather conditions and maintenance), closed Mon & Tues; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Suzie Larke: Unseen
Part of Unlimited
Photographer Suzie Larke shares logic-defying work sparking conversations about mental wellbeing.
Daily; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
Thursday 5
Deaf Rave
Part of Unlimited
Join Deaf Rave for a free multisensory evening party with Deaf DJs, featuring heart-thumping rhythms, sign-songs and a Woojer zone. For all ages.
8.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
Saturday 7
Krystal S. Lowe: New Growth
Part of Unlimited
Run away with dancer and choreographer Krystal S. Lowe to rediscover what’s lost in growing up. Relaxed Performance. Audio Description is available. For all ages.
1pm & 3pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Ruby Addy
Part of Unlimited
The musician shares joyful, thought-provoking music about identity, disability and lived experience. For all ages.
1.30pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Maddie Morris
Part of Unlimited
Passionately political, the singer’s folk songs tread the path between art and activism. For all ages.
2.15pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Elle Chante: Accessible Dreamscapes
Part of Unlimited
Sink into an immersive music event exploring performance from a disabled perspective. British Sign Language interpreted (BSL) and Speech-to-Text transcribed (STT). For ages 16+.
8pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free, but ticketed
Saturday 7 & Sunday 8
Unlimited on Screen
Part of Unlimited
Explore a programme of Unlimited-commissioned films, available over two days of inperson screenings and online throughout the festival. Some films in the programme are Captioned.
The films are: Hen Night; Louder Is Not Always Clearer; Moving the Image/Moviendo la Imagen; No Sleep Just Clouds; Silent World
10.30am – 6pm; Blue Side Foyer, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free Also available online; Wed 4 – Sun 8 Sep; Free
Sunday 8
Two Destination
Language: Hope & Ponies
Part of Unlimited
Find messages of hope and add your own to a banner installation, created by Two Destination Language. Relaxed Performance. For ages 16+.
11.30am; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Touretteshero's Biscuit Land Cabaret
Part of Unlimited
Discover fantastic work by disabled artists on themes of joy, resistance, invisibility and isolation. For all ages.
5pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Thursday 12
futuretense: DEELA + Stacy N.K.R
Our free gigs series of up-andcoming artists features Lagosborn rapper DEELA and southeast London based rapper Stacy N.K.R.
6pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
Friday 13
Simmer Down
Get ready to feel the reggae rhythm at this free monthly daytime dance that'll get you grooving. For all ages.
1.30pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Thursday 19
futuretense: Saint Joshua + Kima Otung
Tune in to new talent at our twicemonthly free gigs, with this edition showcasing rising stars of R&B and pop songwriting.
6pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
Wednesday 25
Sally Rooney: Intermezzo Live Stream
LIVE STREAM: The author of Normal People celebrates her new novel with Merve Emre. Speechto-Text transcribed. For ages 16+.
7.30pm; Online events; Free
Thursday 26 – Sunday 29
Philharmonia Orchestra:
Virtual Orchestra –Sibelius
Part of Opening Weekend
Drop in to this free virtual reality experience, pop on a headset and find out what it's like to sit right in the middle of the Philharmonia Orchestra in full flow. For ages 5+. 10am – 7pm (closes 3pm on Sunday); Blue Side Foyer, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Friday 27
Mix & Move: Afrobeats with Kiduku Rhythms
Join us to shake it out into the weekend at our monthly Mix & Move social dance. For all ages.
3pm – 5pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Sunday 29
Philharmonia Orchestra:
Notes on Nature 1 –The Sea
Part of Opening Weekend
The first of four conversations on the environment, part of the Philharmonia’s Nordic Soundscapes series.
12.30pm; Level 5 Function Room, Green Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free, but ticketed
Upcoming highlights
Haegue Yang: Leap Year
A world of inventive, immersive and multisensory installations and sculptures that weave connections between disparate histories, cultures and traditions. Haegue Yang’s work spans a vast range of media –from paper collage to performative sculpture and immense sensorial installations.
London Literature Festival
The longest-running celebration of the written and spoken word of its kind in the capital presents prestigious names alongside rising literary stars, every autumn.
Wednesday 23 October – Sunday 3 November
Tim Etchells & Tony Buck: Go On Like This
Layering percussion and words, this performance explores language and blurs the boundaries between sound and sense.
Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 October
Equally as wide-ranging, her inspiration draws on diverse histories and customs, including East Asian traditions and folklore, modernism, contemporary art history and nature.
Wednesday 9 October – Sunday 5 January
Also coming soon
Forced Entertainment: Signal to Noise
Witness the battle to break out of repeating cycles in the UK premiere of this playful and unsettling, comical and deadly serious performance.
Thursday 10 & Friday 11 October
Patricia Kopatchinskaja Plays Shostakovich
Sibelius’ elemental Fifth Symphony is paired with Shostakovich’s explosive first violin concerto in tonight’s London Philharmonic Orchestra concert.
Friday 4 October
Manchester Collective & Zubin Kanga (Double Bill)
Cyborg pianist Zubin Kanga summons ghostly vocal samples in a brand-new Laurence Osborn piece, followed by a late-night event.
Saturday 12 October
The Age of Consent 40
Forty years on, Bronski Beat's defiant debut album, The Age of Consent, is reimagined by Luca Manning, Planningtorock, Tom Rasmussen and more special guests, with a specially curated queer house band.
Saturday 19 October
Eat & explore
Wagamama
In the mood for noodles while out-and-about in central London? Hunting for a bite of something special before an evening show? Inspired by canteenstyle Japanese noodle bars, Wagamama is a classic choice for a relaxed meal around the Southbank Centre, with sharing plates, tasty Japanese cuisine and treats galore for every appetite.
Located on Queen’s Walk beneath the Royal Festival Hall, our local Wagamama sits in prime location a stone’s throw from the riverside. Get your fill of people-watching from the outdoor seating section (with heaters to keep you at the perfect temperature, whatever the weather) or spark conversations at the canteen-style communal tables indoors.
With a menu boasting delicious dumplings, teppanyaki topped with sizzling steak or succulent salmon, plump gyoza and a variety of mouth-watering vegetarian and vegan options, there’s something for everyone to sink their teeth into – as well as plenty of irresistible desserts to round off the meal.
As an additional draw for early birds, Wagamama has recently extended its offering to brunch-goers, with brand new dishes including chicken katsu waffles and tantalising cocktails making this spot a winner for eating and drinking all day long.
Find Wagamama on Riverside, Level 1; Sun – Wed, 8.30am – 10pm; Thu –Sat, 8.30am – 11.30pm southbankcentre.co.uk/foodanddrink
Crazy Boules
This summer, we’re letting the good times roll. Combine the classic French sport of boules with the world of crazy golf, and what do you get? Crazy Boules, of course – and if you’ve never thought to consider the crossover, you can now discover exactly what you’ve been missing, as Crazy Boules pops up here on our site until late September.
Tucked under Hungerford Bridge, Crazy Boules is a summer playground for competitive souls from the age of five upwards, packed with obstacles, twists and turns, and wild paths. Can you guide your boules over the jumps, navigate the mazes and avoid the pitfalls as the game ramps up?
Transported from its traditional town square setting to the buzzing city centre, the game has also had a neon-infused glow-up. Plus, with refreshing drinks available at the venue and sweet and savoury snacks to be found nearby at our array of summer pop-ups, this is one activity that’s sure to bowl over even the most hard-to-please of visitors.
Gather your friends, family and colleagues, and whisk them down to the London Riviera for a battle of boules like you’ve never played it before.
Find Crazy Boules under Hungerford Bridge, Level 1; Mon – Sun, 11am – 11pm; until Sun 22 Sep
About the Southbank Centre
We’re the largest arts centre in the UK and one of the nation's top visitor attractions, showcasing the world’s most exciting artists at our venues in the heart of London. We’re here to present great cultural experiences that bring people together, and open up the arts to everyone.
The Southbank Centre is made up of the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, Hayward Gallery, National Poetry Library 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.
While you’re
here
Eating, drinking and shopping? Take in the views over food and drinks at our on-site bars and cafes – including our recently refurbished Festival Bar & Kitchen and Ballroom Cafe on Level 2 of the Royal Festival Hall, and the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden, open for the summer – and visit our shops for products inspired by our great cultural experiences, iconic buildings and central London location. Find more to explore onsite at Beany Green, Comptoir Libanais, 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. On Southbank Centre Square, Belvedere Road, the market is open Fri – Sun & bank holidays. Check our website for opening times.
Join us
Become a Member and never miss a moment. Join for presales to all of our events, free entry to the Hayward Gallery, access to our Members’ Lounge and a discount on selected retailers and restaurants. Our Supporters Circles enjoy all of the benefits of Membership, as well as getting closer to the artists with invitations to rehearsals, openings and more. Check our website for more details. southbankcentre.co.uk/join
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
How to book tickets
Online
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, and no booking fees for Hayward Gallery exhibition tickets.
Scan the QR code to see our full event listings
Access
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
To receive publications in alternative formats, and for further information, email accesslist@southbankcentre.co.uk or phone 020 3879 9555. An audio version of this publication is available online at soundcloud.com/southbankcentreaudio
Stay in the know
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On the cover
Celebrating the artistic vision and creativity of disabled artists, biennial festival Unlimited returns this month. Harriet Dyer joins the line-up of Abnormally Funny People IRL on Sunday 8 September for an evening of laugh-out-loud comedy.
Image credits
On the cover: Harriet Dyer © Andy Hollingworth Archive
Inside cover: Paraorchestra © Paul Blakemore
This month's highlights: Unlimited: Stopgap Dance Company: Lived Fiction © Christopher Parkes; Shaparak Khorsandi © Steve Best; Qudus Onikeku’s Re:INCARNATION © courtesy the artist; Ara Malikian © courtesy the artist; Michael Turinsky © Michael Loizenbauer; Concrete Lates x fabric: Blackhaine © Archie Finch; Diane Abbott © courtesy the artist
Header images: Classical music: Igor Levit © Felix Broede; Performance & dance: Krystal S. Lowe: New Growth © Nelly Ating; Literature & talks: Raymond Antrobus © Chantal Law; Art & exhibitions: Sola Olulode, First Kiss, 2022 (detail). © Sola Olulode. Courtesy the artist and Sapar Contemporary Art Gallery, New York. Photography by Celine Pierron; Gigs:
DEELA © courtesy the artist; Family: Jeppe Hein's Appearing Rooms © Victor Frankowski; Free events: Saint Joshua © courtesy the artist
Upcoming highlights: Haegue Yang, The Randing Intermediates – Underbelly Alienage Duo 2020. © Haegue Yang. Courtesy of the artist. Commission by Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD), Manila. Photo: At Maculangan/Pioneer Studios; London
Literature Festival: Ghetts © Seye Isikalu; Forced Entertainment: Signal to Noise © Hugo Glendinning; Zubin Kanga © courtesy Manchester Collective; Tim Etchells & Tony Buck: Go On Like This © Svetlana-Selezneva; Patricia Kopatchinskaja © Marco Borggreve; The Age of Consent 40 © courtesy the artist
Eat & explore: Wagamama © James Moyle; Crazy Boules © Crazy Boules
