Southbank Centre Your culture fix
Watch Atomic Bomb! live at David Byrne’s Meltdown and explore past Hayward Gallery exhibitions.
Blasts from the past
Like us, you might be getting nostalgic for all kinds of things: sitting in a sun-drenched beer garden, eating Sunday dinner with family and friends, taking your seat as the lights go down for an evening performance by your favourite musician.
But you may not know that researchers have found quite a bit of evidence that nostalgia helps combat loneliness, boredom and anxiety. So, this week we’re inviting you to dance like you were at David Byrne’s Meltdown, explore former Hayward Gallery exhibitions and listen to talks from past events at Queen Elizabeth Hall.
By the way, if you enjoy what we do and want to support our work, please donate here. We are a charity and your support can make a world of difference.
explore stories →Body and soul
Video: David Byrne’s Meltdown: Atomic Bomb! live
The entire audience was on their feet when David Byrne’s supergroup Atomic Bomb! performed William Onyeabor’s electro-funk wizardry at Meltdown in 2015. Now funk fans everywhere can watch the concert in full. Be warned – you’re going to need to dust off your dancing shoes for this one.
watch now →For your listening pleasure
Southbank Centre’s Book Podcast: Sara Pascoe: Sex, Power, Money
What happened when the Victorians discovered Pompeii? Why is there such stigma around those who work in the sex industry? And what could we prove with an in-depth scientific study involving twins marooned on separate islands? In a conversation as thought-provoking and laugh-out-loud funny as the book itself, comedian Sara Pascoe joins Deborah Frances-White to discuss Sex, Power, Money.
listen now →Five decades in the frame
10 iconic exhibitions from 50 years of the Hayward Gallery
Did you know that the Hayward Gallery opened to the public on Thursday 11 July 1968 with a retrospective of the work of Henri Matisse? Since then, a wide range of adventurous and influential artists have displayed their work here, including Anish Kapoor, Antony Gormley and Bridget Riley (twice!). In this blog, explore some of the highlights from the past 50 years – no ticket needed.
read now →Survival story
Patrisse Cullors on Black Lives Matter, speaking out and Donald Trump
Black Panther, social media and Trump’s America were hot topics of conversation when we caught up with activist, campaigner and co-founder of Black Lives Matter, Patrisse Cullors, who inspired us all at WOW – Women of the World festival back in 2018.
read now →Musical cheers
Playlist: Unclassified Live
Whether you’re in charge of percussion at the weekly clap for our carers or you’re pining for some avant-garde listening, then this playlist is for you. Produced in partnership with BBC Radio 3, the BBC Concert Orchestra and Southbank Sinfonia, our Unclassified Live series brings you sounds by visionary composers and performers who refuse to be put in a box.
listen now →see all storiesTreat yourself
Culture Picks
We might not be able to tell you when pasta will be readily available in the shops again or when your favourite restaurant will reopen, but our team of art and culture experts can help you out when it comes to finding what bit of culture to digest next. This week, the bustling heart of the book world goes digital, some of the UK’s leading spoken word artists perform from their homes, and a BBC podcast sees a celebrity couple open up about their relationship.
read now →Drawing on your strengths
Explore your creativity in Mental Health Awareness Week
It seems we were right all along – art really can make you happy. Recent studies show that staring at a seascape can reduce stress, making your own masterpiece can build self-esteem and finger knitting can make you feel really good. So, we’ve put together a list of activities to keep you and your little ones stress-free and smiling this week.
read now →Make tracks
Missing the sweet sound of your colleagues’ voices? Try one of our playlists to fill the silence or to accompany your lunchtime dance around the room. We’ve got mixtapes hand-picked by Joan As Police Woman, Marius Neset and Susheela Raman, to name a few.
listen now →Lend us an ear
Learn something new with our podcasts
Our podcast series features conversations with great writers, comedians, thinkers and musicians. Consider women on the page with Roxane Gay, spend an evening with Roger Daltrey or mull mental health and creativity with Matt Haig and Jordan Stephens.