Southbank Centre: Your culture fix
We’re open this summer!
It’s been a year since we closed our doors. But the wait is almost over – in May, we’re going to reopen! Can you picture it? Galleries brimming with spectacular artworks. Musicians finally taking the stage in front of socially distanced audiences. A sparkling summer of music, art, literature and dance on the banks of the river Thames, at our just-announced season Reunion: Summer at the Southbank Centre.
Here are some dates for your diary. The Hayward Gallery reopens on Wednesday 19 May. The Royal Festival Hall welcomes visitors from Friday 21 May, with live events from Friday 28 May. We’re planning to open the Queen Elizabeth Hall in August, and the Purcell Room in September.
If you’re not yet ready or able to venture out, we still have events taking place online. Inside Out isn’t going anywhere, and there are plenty of talks and performances now and next month for you to enjoy at home. Plus, our new online series, In the Green Room, will be with you soon.
Director’s cut
Aaron Sorkin in Conversation
WED 31 MAR – WED 7 APR
Have you heard? This week, the razor-sharp screenwriter behind The Trial of the Chicago 7, The Social Network and Moneyball is joining us. Aaron Sorkin shares his insights in an in-depth broadcast conversation with presenter Edith Bowman.
Set in motion
Out-Spoken
SUN 28 MAR – SUN 4 APR
Our resident poetry and music showcase is back with an online edition from our Queen Elizabeth Hall. Hosted by the incomparable Joelle Taylor, it includes sets from poets Jay Bernard and Caleb Femi, with music from Mysie and Karim Kumar.
find out more →On the beat
Hanif Abdurraqib: A Little Devil in America
UNTIL THU 1 APR
Get the inside track on A Little Devil in America, poet and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib’s profound exploration of the politics of American empire and a century of unfolding talent, in this conversation with acclaimed writer Yomi Ṣode.
The New World
UNTIL WED 31 MAR
It’s the start of a new online season for the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and they’re kicking off with Dvořák’s New World Symphony. The timeless classic meets Haydn’s tempestuous 49th Symphony, La Passione, in a thrilling opening concert.
Tchaikovsky & Sibelius
THU 1 – THU 8 APR
Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No.1 is a rollercoaster of emotions, from its resounding first chords to its fiery finale. Pianist Pavel Kolesnikov joins the Philharmonia Orchestra in a broadcast performance, also featuring Sibelius’ theatrical King Christian II Suite.
discover what’s onGrand stanza
Out-Spoken’s show goes on(line)
‘I’m solely preoccupied with being a merchant of joy,’ Caleb Femi told The Guardian back in October. Want in? You can wait until Out-Spoken goes online tomorrow, or you can see a clip of his and the rest of the line-up’s performances now in our blog.
Feast for the ears
Resident & Associate Orchestra round-up
If you’ve stocked up on chocolate, decided what you’re going to roast and even thought how you might decorate your bonnet, now’s the time to pick some music to play you into Easter. Our Resident and Associate Orchestras have got plenty to choose from.
Shine on
Winter Light: Making music visual
All through the darkest months of winter, our exhibition Winter Light brightened our site with radiant artworks. In these videos, film-makers Florence Creffield and Kamila Maslowska pair images of the exhibition with music from Snow Palms and Angèle David-Guillou.
see all storiesChick me out
Eggcellent treats
How do you like your Easter eggs? We like them fluffy and cheeky. These eggs from Jellycat are an equally sweet alternative to their chocolate friends – they’re bound to make you crack a smile. Browse our whole range of seasonal goodies here.
shop now →Name that tune
Plug in for toe-tapping music
Need a musical break? Try one of our playlists to discover new artists and shake it out with a dance around the room. We’ve got mixtapes hand-picked by Joan As Police Woman, Marius Neset and Susheela Raman, to name a few.
Support the Southbank Centre
Support us
2020 was a tough year, and 2021 has brought its own difficulties for us. If you feel that you can make a donation, no matter how small, you will be making a huge difference.
Text 70085 with the code SOUTHBANK 20 to donate £20, SOUTHBANK 10 to donate £10 or SOUTHBANK 5 to donate £5. Texts cost your donation amount plus one standard-rate message. Thank you.
From our friends
Death and the Maiden
UNTIL WED 31 MAR | VIRTUAL CIRCLE
Today’s the day that Patricia Kopatchinskaja and Camerata Bern were due to bring Death and the Maiden to our halls. Instead, you can enjoy a concert movie adaptation of their Grammy-winning examination of Schubert’s greatest string quartet, interspersed with works from the Middle Ages to modern times.
Apples & Pears bar reopens
FROM TUE 18 MAY | APPLES & PEARS
Planning your lockdown exit plan? From Tuesday 18 May, Apples & Pears bar, off Brick Lane, reopens, merging relaxed evenings with raucous club nights and live music events.
Food Season
FROM TUE 13 APR | BRITISH LIBRARY
Tune into a mouth-watering menu of digital events inspired by the cookbooks, recipes and culinary stories in the British Library’s collection. Guests include Madhur Jaffrey, Raymond Blanc and Calum Franklin.