Southbank Centre: Your culture fix
Celebrate this bank holiday weekend as the Southbank Centre reopens.
Put the flags out
It’s been a long 14 months, but the Southbank Centre is finally reopening and we’re celebrating this bank holiday weekend. The site is kitted out with colourful flags, DJs provide the soundtrack to food and drinks on our Riverside Terrace, and the Royal Festival Hall comes alive with the energy of an audience.
For the poetry lovers, the National Poetry Library reopens its doors – and if you can’t make it to see us, we still have events to stream.
Bow to fate
Chineke! Orchestra: Fate Now Conquers
FRI 28 MAY
With triumphant energy, Carlos Simon’s tribute to Beethoven opens the first concert of our new season. The orchestra is joined by Sheku Kanneh-Mason for the timeless Dvořák Cello Concerto.
Sold out, returns only.
Heart to heart
Anoushka Shankar: Love Letters
SUN 30 MAY
Anoushka Shankar returns with Love Letters, a collection of songs about love, heartbreak and healing. There are only a few tickets left for the live event, but you can watch it online, too.
Zero to hero
Noisy Kids: Heroes & Villains
SAT 29 MAY
Take part in an epic superhero battle against some dastardly villains in this heroic family concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Featuring a host of popular classical pieces, such as Wagner’s triumphant Ride of the Valkyries, alongside epic film music favourites such as Jurassic Park and Star Wars.
Throughout the reopening weekend
Total Refreshment Centre
SAT 29 & SUN 30 MAY
This weekend the jazz hub is coming down to the riverside, bringing founder Lex Blondin and guest DJs to share the music that inspires them.
Raze Collective
FRI 28 & SAT 29 MAY
Raze Collective is here with DJs from your favourite queer nights, bringing you a safe space by the riverside.
Southbank Centre Food Market
FRI 28 – MON 31 MAY
Our weekly open-air food market is back, with fresh, vibrant flavours from around the world.
Art on site
Matthew Barney: Redoubt
UNTIL SUN 25 JUL
★★★★ ‘A 21st-century version of the American sublime’ The Observer
Pre-booking online is essential.
Film streaming in partnership with MUBI.
Installation view of Matthew Barney, Redoubt at Hayward Gallery, 2021 © Matthew Barney, 2021. Photo Mark Blower.
Samson Kambalu: Black Jack
UNTIL SUN 5 SEP
As you wander around our site you can check out the colourful and thought-provoking flags from Malawi-born artist, academic and author Samson Kambalu.
Samson Kambalu, Black Jack Flag Series, Off White Twin Drummer, 2021 © Samson Kambalu. Courtesy of the artist and Kate MacGarry Gallery
Igshaan Adams: Kicking Dust
UNTIL SUN 25 JUL
★★★★★ ‘Outstandingly original’ The Observer
Pre-booking online is essential.
Installation view of Igshaan Adams, Kicking Dust at Hayward Gallery, 2021 © Igshaan Adams, 2021. Photo Mark Blower.
pre-book now →At home with
In the Green Room with Mitsuko Uchida
Pianist Mitsuko Uchida joins Gillian Moore, our Director of Music and Performing Arts, for a live-streamed conversation covering her life and long career in the latest edition of our In the Green Room series.
International Booker Prize 2021 Shortlist Readings
SUN 30 MAY – SUN 6 JUN
Discover the novels shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2021 in this streamed event, chaired by writer and podcaster Derek Owusu.
Matthew Barney in Conversation
TUE 1 JUN
Matthew Barney discusses his practice and shares insights into his exhibition with Hayward Gallery Curator Cliff Lauson in this live-streamed conversation.
Installation view of Matthew Barney: Redoubt at Hayward Gallery, 2021 © Matthew Barney, 2021. Photo Mark Blower.
Kick in
Five things to know about Igshaan Adams: Kicking Dust
The Hayward Gallery doors reopened on Wednesday 19 May, welcoming visitors to two brand new exhibitions including Kicking Dust, by cross-disciplinary artist Igshaan Adams. To help guide you into the artist’s work, Hayward Gallery curators Tarini Malik and Marie-Charlotte Carrier share five things to know about Adams’ first solo exhibition in the UK.
Installation view of Igshaan Adams: Kicking Dust at Hayward Gallery, 2021 © Igshaan Adams, 2021. Photo Mark Blower.
Back together
We’re back: it’s a bank holiday Reunion at the Southbank Centre
Finally, after 14 months behind closed doors, a sense of normality returns as we reopen the Southbank Centre with a series of events this May bank holiday weekend.
The Royal Festival Hall reopens with a trio of special concerts, there are events on our Riverside Terrace, and all your food and drink favourites are back, too.
Music to my ears
Resident & Associate Orchestra round-up
The world is slowly healing and before you know it we’ll all be back in concert halls enjoying classical music live as intended. From opportunities to return to our Royal Festival Hall, to special online premieres, and a call to arms for young musicians, there really is something for everyone in this month’s classical round up.
Cast in stone
New in – Brutalism range
Bring a taste of the Southbank Centre’s distinct brutalist architecture into your home with our new range of products including mugs, candle holders and clocks.