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.
The London Design Biennale 2025 has officially opened at Somerset House, running from 5–29 June, bringing together over 40 pavilions from around the world in a bold celebration of global creativity. Now in its fifth edition, this year’s Biennale is curated by Artistic Director Dr Samuel Ross MBE, an award-winning British designer…
Danny Larsen is a Norwegian artist who has transitioned from a successful career in professional snowboarding to establishing himself as a distinctive painter. His detailed neo-pointillist landscapes reflect a deep connection to nature and a personal journey of transformation. Ahead of his debut London solo exhibition…
Renowned Chef Rohit Ghai and business partner Abhi Sangwan have joined forces to open Vatavaran, the newest luxury Indian dining destination in Knightsbridge last autumn, after launching Kutir and Manthan. Chef Ghai has also worked at acclaimed restaurants Benares, Trishna, Gymkhana and Jamavar…
The 25th Serpentine Pavilion for 2025, “A Capsule in Time”, designed by celebrated Bangladeshi architect and educator Marina Tabassum, and her firm, Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA), opens on 6 June at the Serpentine South Gallery lawn…
Lindokuhle Sobekwa is a South African photographer from Katlehong, Johannesburg. Since his first exhibition in 2013, his work on social issues and personal histories—like his photo essay Nyaope—has gained international recognition. A member of Magnum Photos, Sobekwa was recently awarded the 2025 Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize for his project I carry Her Photo with Me…
We like nothing more than finding a wonderful neighbourhood restaurant that is so good it is worth travelling to even when you may not live in its environs. La Poule au Pot (est 1962) is such a restaurant. Not only that, but it will save yourself a trip to France…
June in London is a magical time as the city settles into its summer stride with long days, sunny terraces and fresh seasonal menus. From charming French bistros and intimate wine spots to Veuve Clicquot champagne terraces and trusty Italian cuisine served in lively dining rooms…
The National Gallery has opened Supporters’ House, a new members’ space designed for socialising, dining and unwinding just moments from the heart of the collection. Housed in the beautifully restored former curatorial offices on the ground floor of the Wilkins Building, this is the first time the Gallery has offered a dedicated space for its members and patrons…
Nestled in the bustling heart of London's Piccadilly mere seconds from the tweed suited swagger of Burlington Arcade, the grandeur of Fortnum & Mason and world class art at the Royal Academy sirs the newly opened Cicchetti Piccadilly, a family-run mini empire of reliably elegant Italian eateries…
On Saturday 31 May 2025, the V&A East Storehouse officially opens its doors, offering a revolutionary new museum experience in the heart of East London. Located within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park’s East Bank cultural district, this unique facility is not just a store but a fully immersive public space…
Sol Bailey Barker is a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores the connections between ecology, mythology, and speculative futures. Through sculpture, sound, and installations, they blend ancient knowledge with emerging technologies to examine humanity’s relationship with the natural world…
Celebrating 40 years since The Thin Black Line, this landmark exhibition reunites pioneering Black and Asian women artists through historic works, new commissions, and a vibrant programme of live events and screenings…
The rooftop at The Culpeper on Commercial Street in Spitalfields features a charming garden and greenhouse. It’s part of a vibrant venue that also includes a lively pub, a stylish first-floor restaurant, and five thoughtfully designed boutique hotel rooms…
Sachi London · The Culpeper · Yasmin Soho · Flute at The Broadwick Soho · Kioku by Endo at The OWO · Kaso at One Hundred Shoreditch · Jurema at The Mandrake · JOIA Rooftop, Battersea · The Berkeley Rooftop Bar · Frank’s Café, Peckham…
Art Basel, in collaboration with Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) and QC+, has announced the launch of Art Basel Qatar — a pioneering modern and contemporary art fair set to premiere in Doha in February 2026…
Nimrod Vardi and Claudel Goy, directors of arebyte Gallery, discuss how the space is redefining digital art by blending technology, social science, and immersive experiences. From AI and consciousness to the societal impact of tech, arebyte’s bold exhibitions go beyond visual spectacle, focusing on meaningful engagement and innovative presentation…
An unmissable exhibition of Swiss artist Nicolas Party runs at the Holburne Museum in Bath until 31 August 2025. Titled Copper and Rust, this exhibition sees Party engage in active dialogue with the museum’s historic collection to create new work…
In a landmark move set to redefine how the global art world celebrates impact and innovation, the 2025 Art Basel Awards have announced their inaugural group of 36 medalists. These visionary figures—ranging from pioneering artists and curators to emerging creators, cultural patrons, and behind-the-scenes specialists…
Lindokuhle Sobekwa honoured for powerful tribute to his late sister and a poignant reflection on South Africa’s social history…
The Royal Academy of Arts in London is preparing to unveil a stellar line-up of exhibitions in 2026, featuring world-renowned artists, long-overlooked masters, and the brightest contemporary talents. From large-scale retrospectives to open-call showcases…
Photo London returns for its landmark tenth edition, coinciding with Somerset House’s 25th anniversary. Showcasing the evolving landscape of photography, the fair presents everything from AI-driven works and painterly images to textile prints and collage-based creations. With 131 exhibitors and over 400 local and international artists…
Hanna Salomonsson is a London based Swedish ceramic artist. Following a career in landscape architecture, she re-trained in ceramics in 2018. She also holds a BA in Art History, and this combined with her landscape grounding provides a unique vantage point for her ceramic practice…
Vigour and Skills (V+S) brings its Cotswolds atelier to the heart of Kensington for London Craft Week with A Future Made by Hand—an exhibition hosted at The Roof Gardens, open by appointment from 13–18 May…
Koyo Kouoh, the renowned Cameroonian-Swiss curator and cultural producer, passed away suddenly on 10 May 2025 at the age of 57.
This June, Battersea Power Station debuts The Wine Circuit—a three-day celebration of wine featuring tastings, food pairings, expert-led talks, live music, and artisan market stalls in a vibrant riverside setting…
The Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery has officially reopened following a two-year transformation, marked by a royal visit from Their Majesties, The King and Queen, on 6 May 2025. Their visit coincided with the second anniversary of King Charles III’s coronation, and was held in honour of the National Gallery’s 200th anniversary…
