Southbank Centre Your culture fix
Hear from an inventive new band and a fresh literary voice.
What’s on Festivals & series Art & exhibitions
First time’s a charm
Sadly, Pancake Day is over for another year – and another year has passed without us discovering the secret to that oh-so-elusive perfect first pancake. But firsts aren’t always this way. In fact, some are downright fantastic.
The debut album from Black Country, New Road and novel by Raven Leilani have been making quite a splash – and have even been hailed as among the best of the year. Find out what the hype is all about in our upcoming broadcast events.
Energy source
Black Country, New Road
SAT 6 MAR
Rave reviews are rolling in for the seven-piece’s debut, For the first time, which captures the band’s fresh and inventive energy, ferocity and explosive charge. They celebrate the album’s release in an online performance.
Creative spark
Raven Leilani: Luster
THU 25 FEB – THU 4 MAR
British Vogue says that ‘if there was still a commute, Raven Leilani’s book is what everyone would be reading on it’. Catch the author of this provocative and tender novel in a broadcast conversation with novelist Diana Evans.
Great views
London Contemporary Orchestra
FRI 19 MAR
Joined by vocal groups VOCES8 and Apollo5, the innovative ensemble presents their own interpretations of electronic releases and the first UK performance of an explosive new work from Sigur Rós guitarist Kjartan Sveinsson.
Skin: It Takes Blood and Guts
THU 4 – THU 11 MAR
‘You’ve got to keep moving forward, keep striving’. The lead singer of Skunk Anansie tells her extraordinary story in a new memoir, launched here. To get a free ticket for the broadcast, become a Club Rakuten member – more information below.
Find out more about our BSL-interpreted broadcast.
Unseen
UNTIL SUN 28 FEB
Meet some of the subjects behind photographer Suzie Larke’s otherworldly images in our video, and then take a virtual tour around the outdoor exhibition. Or, if you live nearby, you can wonder at the logic-defying works in person on your daily walk.
discover what’s onWay with words
Raven Leilani on Luster and a love of language
Get to know the author whose debut novel has earned her the 2020 Kirkus Prize and Center for Fiction first novel prize. Ahead of her broadcast talk this week, we got an insight into her writing process and what the success of Luster has meant for her.
read now →Bright idea
Winter Light: David Ogle
A glowing canopy of neon branches, David Ogle’s Loomin (2020) has transformed the riverside as part of our outdoor exhibition Winter Light. In this video, the artist explains how he brought our bare winter trees back to life with his series of sculptures.
Image credit: Morley Von Sternberg
watch now →Lines of vision
Five top poetry picks for LGBTQI+ History Month
From the lyric brilliance of Edwin Morgan to the precision and grace of Mary Jean Chan, these five poetry collections, selected by our National Poetry Librarians, reflect this year’s theme for LGBTQI+ History Month: ‘Body, Mind, Spirit’.
read now →see all storiesYou’ll find me in the club
Free tickets for Club Rakuten members
We are proud to partner with Rakuten, who are supporting our upcoming talk Skin: It Takes Blood and Guts. To celebrate, we’re offering all Club Rakuten members a free ticket to the event. It’s free to join Club Rakuten – just sign up below.
The sweet stuff
New in: Jellycat macarons
Who can resist that fluffy, smiling face? These scrumptious scamps are a bundle of fun, with super soft fur, cord feet and a velvety filling. Snuggle up for a dose of sugary sweetness that your dentist can’t object to.
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
Ann Druyan and Brian Cox
TUE 23 FEB | THE BRITISH LIBRARY
Take an interstellar adventure with two of the foremost voices in science, Ann Druyan and Brian Cox, as they discuss life, the universe, and (nearly) everything in between.
The Microscope Sessions
SUN 21 FEB | THE PLACE
If you missed Tim Spooner and Rhiannon Armstrong’s online performance at our Unlimited festival, tune in to see paintings emerge in an evolving game of consequences, cross-pollination and contamination.