The Southbank Centre has today announced the latest names in its Autumn contemporary music line-up, championing boundary-pushing artists and innovative collaborations.
In the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the London Contemporary Orchestra partners with two ascendant stars of the electronic music scene. On Saturday 1 October, with conductor Robert Ames at the helm, the LCO will take to the stage alongside DjRUM, aka Felix Manuel. Well known for his releases on 2nd Drop Records and a pair of blistering EPs via R&S, who also released his 2018 debut LP Portrait with Firewood, Manuel will showcase his skills as an eclectic selector and producer in this exciting collaboration. The following night, Sunday 2 October, Loraine James will shake the Queen Elizabeth Hall with her signature sound of glitch-laden bass, which featured on her acclaimed records For You and I and last year’s Reflection. With no signs of slowing down this year, despite a new release via A95 with TSVI and a recently revealed ambient alias, Whatever The Weather, her performance with the LCO won’t be one to miss.
Meanwhile, fresh from the release of her hotly anticipated new single, Christine and the Queens will bring her magnetic presence to the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall on Friday 30 September in a UK exclusive. Landing in London after two nights in Paris, she will debut her new alias, Redcar, in the first instalment of a four-part theatrical evolution inspired by the great rock operas of Pink Floyd and The Who. Part one, showing at the Royal Festival Hall for one night only, is titled Redcar les adorables étoiles after the band’s forthcoming album, released Friday 23 September. Tickets will be on sale on Monday 25 July via https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk.
Keeping the tempo high in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, dance collective Secretsundaze will reveal their latest transformation, The Spirit of Sundaze Ensemble, on Friday 7 October. Featuring special guests Lewis Moody, Myele Manzanza, Oli Savill, Johnny Brierley, Hinako Omori, Qendresa and Wayne Snow, the ensemble will reimagine, record and perform a selection of tracks which have been foundational across Secretsundaze’s 20-year history, from Balearic to synth-pop to Brit-funk.
Finally, the Southbank Centre’s high energy club night series Concrete Lates returns on Saturday 15 October with far-out children of the forest, Snapped Ankles. Instantly recognisable for their foliage-adorned attire, Snapped Ankles will take over the Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer for an enthralling psych-rock performance, enveloping the crowd amongst the swaying, and surreal, musical pines. Previous Concrete Lates have featured Black Midi, Giant Swan, Honey Dijon and Pan Daijing.
Tickets for Loraine James x LCO, DjRUM x LCO, Spirit of Sundaze and Snapped Ankles will be on general sale Wednesday 20 July, 10:00am.
Mark Ball, Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre, said: “Our contemporary music programme for this Autumn champions those who have dared to do things differently — to be fully oneself and take bold, exciting creative steps that leave an indelible mark. We’re incredibly excited for Christine and the Queens to debut her brand new vision in a UK exclusive. The Southbank Centre is eager to welcome these amibiotus and original artists, from the surreal storytelling of Snapped Ankles to the electronic manipulation of Loraine James.”
These latest names join a burgeoning lineup of boundary breaking artists from across the musical spectrum at the Southbank Centre this Autumn and Winter. Announced last week, a new series of the Purcell Sessions kicks off in September with enigmatic rapper John Glacier while other names on the bill include Lucinda Chua, Kali Malone and First Terrace Records as well as further collaborations with the LCO from TEEBS, KMRU, Sote and Charles Hayward.
