London's music scene: highlights and news

Explore the latest music news unfolding in London, from festival announcements and classical music programmes to venue updates.

French electro pioneers Justice announced as headliners for Field Day 2024

The Chemical Brothers. Field Day 2022. Photo by Eric Aydin Barberini.

Electro legends Justice have been announced as headliners for Field Day Festival's 17th edition, alongside PinkPantheress, Charlotte DeWitte. Due to take place in Victoria Park in August 2024, the iconic festival event promises a diverse lineup spanning electronic genres.
Date: 24th August 2024. Location: Victoria Park, East London. Price: Early birds from £50. Book now. Instagram: @fielddayfestivals

La Linea Festival Announces Second Wave of Artists

La Linea London Latin Music Festival. Ana Tijoux.

La Linea, London's Latin Music Festival, unveils its second wave of shows for the 24th edition in April. The festival will feature specially curated performances across the capital. Highlights include Desta French & Friends at the Jazz Café, Domenico Lancellotti and Ricardo Dias Gomes at Cafe Oto, and Nacao Zumbi at the Jazz Café.
Date: 12 - 22 April 2024. Website: la-linea. Instagram: @lalineafestival.

Brand New All-Dayer Event Set to Take Place at Crystal Palace Bowl

Grace Jones . Photo by Lawrence Watson.

Get ready for an electrifying addition to the summer festival calendar with Love Motion, a brand new all-dayer event set to ignite Crystal Palace Bowl on 26 July, as part of the South Facing festival. Headlining this exhilarating affair is the legendary Grace Jones, alongside Irish sensation Róisín Murphy, disco icons Horse Meat Disco, and a stellar lineup of DJs including Dimitri from Paris, Oli Keens, and J-Felix. With its historic setting and vibrant lineup, Love Motion promises to be a highlight of the season, offering a day filled with infectious beats, incredible performances, and unforgettable memories.

Date: Friday 26 July 2024. Location: Crystal Palace Bowl. Price: from £43.70. Book now.

Chaka Khan to Curate Meltdown 2024 Festival at Southbank Centre

Chaka Khan. © Jo Metson Scott.

Iconic musician Chaka Khan has been announced as the curator for the upcoming Meltdown 2024 festival, hosted by the Southbank Centre. Celebrating her legendary 50-year career, Khan will infuse the 10-day summer event with her incredible voice and global influence, promising a celebration like no other in  June.

Date: 14 - 23 June 2024. Location: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Website: southbankcentre.co.uk.


Cassie Kinoshi's will celebrate Women in Music at the Barbican

Casse Kinoshi. © Aurore Fouchez.

Cassie Kinoshi will present her largest show yet at the Barbican in March, in celebration of International Women’s Day. Joined by her ensemble seed, turntablist NikNak, and the London Contemporary Orchestra, Kinoshi will revisit her acclaimed 2023 piece 'gratitude' and premiere a new composition inspired by women's role in British music history.

Date: 7 March 2024. Time: 7.30pm. Location: Barbican Centre. Price: £10-£15. Book now.

Featured
The V&A will present the Rising Voices exhibition celebrating contemporary art from the Asia-Pacific
The V&A will present the Rising Voices exhibition celebrating contemporary art from the Asia-Pacific

The Victoria and Albert Museum will present Rising Voices: Contemporary Art from Asia, Australia and the Pacific, a major exhibition celebrating contemporary artistic practices across the Asia Pacific region. Developed in partnership with the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) in Brisbane…

Seurat and the Sea, Courtauld Gallery review
Seurat and the Sea, Courtauld Gallery review

Seurat and the Sea at the Courtauld Gallery is the first exhibition devoted to this category of his work, bringing together 17 canvases, six oil sketches on wood panels, and three preparatory drawings. In doing so, it provides a wider appreciation of his pointillist technique…

Indie Night at the Southbank Centre review
Indie Night at the Southbank Centre review

Southbank Centre launched the new Indie Night series, dedicated to the championing and celebrating of independent publishers and authors. The series arrives at a significant time as we crave human stories and voices…

2026 Festival Watch: Primavera Sound Barcelona 
2026 Festival Watch: Primavera Sound Barcelona 

Now in its 24th year, Primavera Sound Barcelona has evolved from humble origins as a one-day event in Poble Espanyol to a multi-day, mix genre, cult celebration of live music in all its glory. A loyal and ever-growing fan base flocks from around the world to Barcelona…

Review: Weekend Brunch at The Aubrey, Mandarin Oriental, Knightsbridge
Review: Weekend Brunch at The Aubrey, Mandarin Oriental, Knightsbridge

The Aubrey offers a weekend brunch menu with a Japanese twist, serving inventive takes on classic brunch dishes. There is a reasonably priced set brunch menu, but the variety on the à la carte menu is hard to resist…

Kahlil Joseph's BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions launches 180 Studios’ new cinema with month-long residency
Kahlil Joseph's BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions launches 180 Studios’ new cinema with month-long residency

BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions, the debut feature from acclaimed artist and filmmaker Kahlil Joseph, will inaugurate the newly opened cinema space at 180 Studios in London with a month-long residency from 27 February to 27 March 2026…

International Women’s Day 2026: art exhibitions celebrating women artists in London
International Women’s Day 2026: art exhibitions celebrating women artists in London

Art exhibitions celebrating women artists in London for International Women’s Day 2026. From Tracey Emin at Tate Modern, Rose Wylie at the Royal Academy, and Beatriz González at the Barbican Centre…

Where to find the best pies in London for British Pie Week 2026
Where to find the best pies in London for British Pie Week 2026

London transforms into a citywide celebration of flaky pastry, rich fillings, and comforting aromas during Pie Week (2-8 March 2026). From buttery shortcrust classics to inventive gourmet creations, bakeries, cafés, pubs, and markets across the city showcase their most irresistible pies…

V&A acquires historic YouTube watch page featuring first-ever upload
V&A acquires historic YouTube watch page featuring first-ever upload

The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) has added a landmark piece of internet history to its collection with the acquisition of a reconstructed early YouTube watch page, featuring the first video ever uploaded to the platform, Me at the zoo by Jawed Karim….

Art exhibitions to see in Copenhagen Spring 2026
Art exhibitions to see in Copenhagen Spring 2026

From explorations of artificial intelligence and the human body to focused presentations of works on paper and ambitious surveys of design history, these are the art exhibitions not to miss in Copenhagen through spring and into summer 2026…

National Gallery launches a new monthly conversation series
National Gallery launches a new monthly conversation series

The National Gallery has announced a new monthly series called Picture This, hosted by broadcaster John Wilson, known for the BBC’s This Cultural Life. The series will feature leading figures from fashion, science, music, literature, gastronomy, and film, who will reflect on their life and work through the lens of a painting from the Gallery’s collection…

Art Basel unveils leading galleries and first highlights for its 2026 flagship show in Basel
Art Basel unveils leading galleries and first highlights for its 2026 flagship show in Basel

Art Basel has revealed the 290 galleries set to participate in its 2026 flagship fair in Basel, Switzerland, alongside the first highlights of this year’s edition…

A night at Special Guest
A night at Special Guest

FLO spent an evening with Special Guest, speaking to the host, Eve, and some of the night’s speakers to find out what draws people to the stage and what keeps the crowd coming back…

New details announced for Art Basel Hong Kong 2026
New details announced for Art Basel Hong Kong 2026

The 2026 edition of Art Basel Hong Kong marks a bold new chapter for the fair as it returns to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 27 to 29 March. Bringing together 240 galleries from 41 countries and territories, more than half of which operate across the Asia Pacific…

London art exhibitions opening in March 2026
London art exhibitions opening in March 2026

As March brings the first signs of spring to London, a number of exciting art exhibitions are opening across the city. Tate Britain will host the first major solo exhibition of British artist Hurvin Anderson, Dulwich Picture Gallery presents the first UK show of Estonian modernist Konrad Mägi, and the much-anticipated exhibition dedicated to influential Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli…

The Ivy Collection and Papa Salt Gin celebrate unsung heroines for International Women’s Day 2026
The Ivy Collection and Papa Salt Gin celebrate unsung heroines for International Women’s Day 2026

The Ivy Collection  has partnered with Papa Salt Gin  to celebrate unsung heroines this International Women’s Day. From Wednesday 11 February 2026, people across the United Kingdom and Ireland are invited to nominate inspiring women in their communities who deserve recognition for their selfless contributions…

Barbican Centre to host a one day festival curated for and by young people in March
Barbican Centre to host a one day festival curated for and by young people in March

On Sunday 29 March, the Barbican Centre will host the return of Young Barbican Takeover, a one-day festival curated for and by young people, celebrating creativity in all its forms. Running from 12pm to 6pm, the festival transforms the iconic Barbican spaces…

In conversation with Dr Georgina Portelli, Vice Chair at MICAS (Malta International Contemporary Arts Space)
In conversation with Dr Georgina Portelli, Vice Chair at MICAS (Malta International Contemporary Arts Space)

We recently spoke with Dr Georgina Portelli, Vice Chair of Malta International Contemporary Arts Space (MICAS), about the vision and development of Malta’s major new contemporary art institution. Built within the historic 17th-century Floriana bastions on the edge of Valletta…

Albers, De Beauvoir, Hackney review
Albers, De Beauvoir, Hackney review

Albers is a contemporary neighbourhood bistro in De Beauvoir Town, offering far more than its modest claim of serving “Quite Good Grub”. Tucked just off the bustle of Kingsland Road, it combines relaxed, understated interiors with confident, thoughtfully prepared dishes…

Review: The Chalet at the Rosewood London
Review: The Chalet at the Rosewood London

A wonderful alpine-style chalet tucked into the courtyard of the Rosewood London in Holborn. From the moment you step inside, the outside world seems to melt away, replaced by warmth, intimacy and a sense of escapism that feels far removed from central London…

Paris Internationale makes its debut in Milan during art and design week in April 2026
Paris Internationale makes its debut in Milan during art and design week in April 2026

Paris Internationale will hold its first international edition in Milan, taking place during Milano Art Week and the opening days of Milano Design Week in April 2026…

In conversation with Lakwena Maciver
In conversation with Lakwena Maciver

Lakwena Maciver is a London-based artist known for her use of colour and text, and for public artworks that bring a sense of connection to everyday spaces….

Gilroy’s Loft Restaurant, Old Brewer Yard review
Gilroy’s Loft Restaurant, Old Brewer Yard review

Gilroy’s Loft is a newly opened Seafood Restaurant in Covent Garden situated at the rooftop of the Guinness Open Gate Brewery London which was officially opened by none other than King Charles in early December…

In conversation with Ted Hodgkinson
In conversation with Ted Hodgkinson

Ted Hodgkinson is Head of Literature & Spoken Word at Southbank Centre and oversees the seasonal literature programme as well as the annual London Literature Festival. He has judged awards including the BBC National Short Story Award and the Orwell Prize for political writing, and in 2020 he chaired the International Booker Prize…

In conversation with Narinder Sagoo MBE
In conversation with Narinder Sagoo MBE

Narinder Sagoo MBE, Senior Partner at Foster + Partners and renowned architectural artist, has embarked on an ambitious new personal project in support of Life Project 4 Youth (LP4Y), a charity that works towards the upliftment of young adults living in extreme poverty and suffering from exclusion. Narinder has been an ambassador for LP4Y since 2022…

What’s on in London this week: 26 January - 1 February 2026
What’s on in London this week: 26 January - 1 February 2026

This week in London (26 Jan – 1 Feb 2026), catch theatre at Malmaison Hotel, live Aphex Twin performances at Southbank, art exhibitions at Barbican, ICA, and Goldsmiths CCA, comedy at Sadler’s Wells, plus music, cinema, and new foodie spots like Le Café by Nicolas Rouzaud.

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