News

N-Dubz To Play Special Show At Somerset House

• 6th Jul 2010

The open-air concert series at Somerset House is a unique event in the summer’s live music calendar, which runs from 8 to 18 July. On July 11, Brit-nominated and platinum-selling UK hip hop group N-Dubz will be giving a special performance glittered with some very special guests and support from WHATNEXTERS.

N-Dubz have always been great collaborators and committed to putting on great live shows, and the Somerset House show on 11 July is certainly no exception. They've invited some very special guest artists to perform with them, really putting their musical cards on the table. UK R&B sensation McLean is just confirmed as support, with live band, and he's also performing a new collaboration with the irresistible Ny. N-Dubz will perform with old friend Skepta and another very special guest – Kanye’s protégé and pop behemoth Mr Hudson. Following his recent guest vocal on Jay-Z’s massive album, Mr. Hudson is the man every US megastar wants to collaborate with. This will be an unforgettable performance you must see!

To open proceedings, a group of up and coming musicians from the WHATNEXT programme will perform music they have created together. WHAT NEXT is a project run by Somerset House Trust, Metropolis Music, Bigga Fish and Rock school, bringing together many talented young musicians from across London and from diverse musical backgrounds. One participant from last year said “It made me a lot more open to different styles of music. I also learnt how to put things across to different people and not cause offence – how to collaborate.” (Emmanuel Foloronso, 20)

The project is about making live music – giving all of the musicians an opportunity to create a new sound and develop their performance skills under the guidance of music professionals. They’ve also had advice from N-Dubz, when the band visited Somerset House to encourage them at the beginning of the process. A number of last year’s participants are now also working as mentors – helping the tutors and creating a bridge between the tutors and new WhatNexters. And many Whatnexters have gone on to great successes in music.

For more information on the WHATNEXT programme, go to the blog, written by Somerset House’s media apprentice under the Media 4 Good scheme link

Somerset House has effortlessly established itself as a much-loved destination for live music in London. For the past eight years, sell out crowds have seen performances from Adele, Air, Amy Winehouse, Belle & Sebastian, Bloc Party, Doves, Duffy, Erykah Badu, Goldfrapp, Grace Jones, Hot Chip, Justice, Lambchop, Lily Allen, Mogwai, Orbital, Pendulum, PJ Harvey, Robert Plant, Sigur Ros, The Prodigy, The Roots, amongst others. It is a chance for everyone to see exciting and innovative artists in a spectacular location. Somerset House has become an essential destination for music lovers from across London and beyond.