Concert News

Somerset House Summer Series Support Acts Announced

• 20th Jun 2018

Somerset House Summer Series with American Express returns from 5-15 July 2018, bringing fans a special line-up of headline and emerging artists in one of London’s must-see Summer festivals.

Following the announcement of a truly incredible set of headline acts for Somerset House Summer Series with American Express, London’s unique festival has released details of the supporting artists who’ll complete this year’s line-up.

Since it first started, Somerset House Summer Series has been instrumental in introducing audiences to some of the hottest new acts and future stars. This year’s support acts follow in the footsteps of household names such as Jessie Ware, Jess Glynne, alt-J, Songhoy Blues, Mount Kimbie and Wolf Alice, all of whom have opened up shows in the Somerset House courtyard in the past. And, whether headlining or supporting, each of the acts on this year’s eleven-night festival bill helps reflect Somerset House’s commitment to showcasing diverse and dazzling talent from around the world.

The opening night of the Somerset House Summer Series (Thu 5) sees Metronomy – one of the greatest British bands of the last ten years – play a career-spanning set of leftfield pop with support from genre- shunning British rapper/spoken word artist Kojey Radical, who will also be featured in Somerset House’s new photography exhibition The Influence Project. The following night (Fri 6), Australian festival favourites Flight Facilities are joined by British electronic duo Bondax.

On Sat 7, filmmaker, DJ and broadcaster Don Letts presents Bass Forward- a night celebrating the influence that music of black origin has had on this country’s culture in the 70th anniversary year of the arrival of the SS Empire Windrush, bringing the very best in British bass culture from reggae to Grime. Don will be joined on the decks by Norman Jay MBE and Soul II Soul’s Jazzie B, with very special live performances from Congo Natty and the Godfather of Grime himself, Wiley (MBE). The following night sees London born and bred reggae star Hollie Cook join legendary DJ David Rodigan and the Outlook Orchestra.

On Mon 9, Californian deviant disco artist Cola Boyy opens up for MGMT and their inimitable mix of psychedelia and knock-out pop hooks, while the following night sees Laura Pergolizzi- aka LP-supported by Los Angeles based duo Kolars, who promise a mesmerizing set blending disco sounds with modern rock (Tue 10). Hotly tipped, digital soul singer Oli Fox joins Norwegian singer/songwriter and winner of the BBC Sound of 2018 Sigrid on her only London festival date (Wed 11) while the following night,

Philadelphia’s finest The Roots will be supported by the multi-talented British artist and sometime Gorillaz collaborator Little Simz (Thu 12).

On Fri 13, the UK R&B’s brightest star Jorja Smith is joined by the London-based five-piece Ezra Collective, a band who are effortlessly “pioneering the new wave of UK jazz” (Boiler Room). Thirty years into an unstoppable career, De La Soul continue to inspire with their kaleidoscopic blend of samples and unique mic skills (Sat 14) and undisputed hip-hop legend DJ Premier warms up to make this a truly unmissable party. Finally, on the closing night of the Summer Series (Sun 15), maverick Irish star Roisin

Murphy will be joined by ‘nerd disco’ project, The International Teachers of Pop.

In addition to the live music line up, Somerset House will play host to The Influence Project- a new photographic exhibition that explores the roots and influence of modern R&B, Funk, Soul, Afrobeat and Hip Hop. This forms part of the East Wing Edit, a summer of free exhibitions, talks, pop-ups, events, and workshops, offering unique insight into Somerset House’s season of music, film, independent print and contemporary circus performances, all taking place in Somerset House’s East Wing.

Also announced for this year’s festival is a tantalising summer menu from Bryn Williams. The acclaimed Welsh chef-whose eponymous restaurant has just opened in Somerset House – has created a festival friendly menu of mouth-watering modern classics designed to perfectly compliment this year’s Summer Series. Each night, the menus will include fried buttermilk chicken, fish dogs, salted courgette and avocado hummus buns, and more.

Set on the river right at the heart of London, Somerset House’s reputation as one of London’s leading cultural destinations for must-see exhibitions and outdoor events has grown massively over the last twenty years. 2018’s Summer Series programme further establishes the venue’s reputation, offering visitors the unique chance to enjoy some of the most exciting music acts in the world in a truly unforgettable location.

The Influence Project
27 June – 22 August – Free – East Wing Galleries

The Influence Project features never-seen-before photographic portraits of pioneers of R&B, Funk, Soul, Afrobeat and Hip Hop.

Congolese, London-based photographer Alexis Chabala and curator Lorayne Crawford have captured the characters of both icons and contemporary artists, from George Clinton, Shuggie Otis, Sister Sledge and Candi Staton to Aloe Blacc, Laura Mvula, Hiatus Koiyote and Robert Glasper all of whom have previously performed as part of Somerset House Summer Series, and The Roots who play this year.

The Influence Project celebrates the Global impact of African American musicians, who pushed boundaries creatively, socially and politically, whilst simultaneously laying the foundations of contemporary music.

THU 5 JUL METRONOMY + KOJEY RADICAL – (SOLD OUT)
FRI 6 JUL FLIGHT FACILITIES + BONDAX – (SOLD OUT)
SAT 7 JUL DON LETTS PRESENTS BASS FORWARD (£31.25)
SUN 8 JUL DAVID RODIGAN + HOLLIE COOK – (SOLD OUT)
MON 9 JUL MGMT + COLA BOYY – (SOLD OUT)
TUE 10 JUL LP + KOLARS – (£33.25)
WED 11 JUL SIGRID + OLI FOX – (SOLD OUT)
THU 12 JUL THE ROOTS + LITTLE SIMZ – (SOLD OUT)
FRI 13 JUL JORJA SMITH + EZRA COLLECTIVE – (SOLD OUT)
SAT 14 JUL DE LA SOUL + DJ PREMIER – (SOLD OUT)
SUN 15 JUL RÓISÍN MURPHY + INTERNATIONAL TEACHERS OF POP – (£33.25)