Somerset House Summer Series © James Bryant
Somerset House Summer Series returns with a new edition of shows in the spectacular central London courtyard. One of summer’s essential live music festivals, since its inception in 2003, Somerset House Summer Series has served as a launchpad for emerging acts and spotlighting some of the most influential music industry acts. Artists from around the world across a diverse array of genres come to play in the historic live music space with an intimate yet vibrant festival atmosphere in the heart of London.
11 JULY- PIP MILLETT
12 JULY- SPECIAL GUEST
13 JULY- DBN GOGO
14 JULY- CORINNE BAILEY RAE PRESENTS BLACK RAINBOWS
15 JULY- SMINO
16 JULY- THE AMAZONS
17 JULY- HANIA RANI
18 JULY- THE BIG MOON
19 JULY- CORY HENRY
20 JULY- HAK BAKER
21 JULY- PATTI SMITH QUARTET
Pip Millett. Photo by Cal Mcintyre
This year’s programme celebrates another trailblazing line-up, with R&B rising star Pip Millett opening the series on Thursday 11th July. Returning to Summer Series after an incredible show in 2022 supporting Ghetts. Her debut album When Everything is Better, I’ll Let You Know has been a pick for BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, 6Music, i-D, Mixmag and CRACK.
Multi-platinum selling DJ, producer and label boss DBN Gogo is in charge at Summer Series on Saturday 13th July, with an afternoon and evening featuring special guest DJs and live full band sets. DBN Gogo (Mandisa Radebe) is one of South Africa’s superstar DJs, with a stunning debut album of soulful, dancefloor-facing anthems inspired by her heritage and featuring the new generation of Amapiano stars signed to her label Zikode Records.
Corinne Bailey Rae is the double-Grammy, double-MOBO winning star, returning for a third appearance at Summer Series following stand-out shows in 2006 and 2010. The Leeds legend presents an ultra- special live show, performing her critically-acclaimed, career curveball of an album Black Rainbows. She will play the album in its entirety along with a few of her well-knowing hits with a full live band on Sunday 14th July.
Smino, the self-proclaimed hip-hop laureate of St. Louis, a neo-soul rapper who deals in whimsical wordplay, joins the line-up on Monday 15th July. In 2017, he released his debut album blkswn, which was selected as one of Rolling Stone’s hip-hop albums of the year. The rapper now has over half a billion streams under his belt.
The Amazons join the bill on Tuesday 16th July, bringing their trademark adrenaline fused show to the Series for a rousing collection of high-octane anthems. Gaining attention with their debut album back in 2017, the band has continued to build their fanbase as festival favourites. With sold out shows across the globe and three top-10 UK albums under their belts.
Hania Rani. Photo by Jakub Stoszek
Hania Rani is the captivating and virtuosic Polish pianist, composer and producer who blurs the lines between classical and contemporary genres. Classically trained, she was a regular in concert halls across Europe, but it was live performances such as 2022’s 6 million-viewed livestream from the prestigious Les Invalides in Paris – that brought her into global focus.
The Big Moon. Photo by El Hardwick
The Big Moon are the British indie-pop heroines who shot to acclaim with Mercury-nominated debut Love In The 4th Dimension. Their poignant third album Here Is Everything dealt with the joys and despairs of lockdown as well as frontwoman Juliette’s pregnancy and early-days of motherhood.
Cory Henry, 2020. Photo by Raymond Alva
Cory Henry is the three-time Grammy Award-winning artist, composer, multi-platinum producer, multi-instrumentalist and keyboard aficionado. Former member of American jazz-fusion band Snarky Puppy, Henry launched his solo career in 2018 with his first independent release Art of Love with band The Funk Apostles.
Hak Baker is the proud East-London troubadour with roots in grime, challenging preconceptions with his self-styled G-Folk. Providing ultra-honest, relatable and raw tales of modern British life, his revolutionary-minded debut album World’s End FM – which takes the form of a Pirate Radio broadcast from the apocalypse – ripples with electric energy, vibe and talent.
Patti Smith. Photo credit, Edward Mapplethorpe
Summer Series is set to close proceedings in style with what will be an extraordinary, notable show from the legendary ‘punk poet laureate’ Patti Smith and her backing band, Patti Smith Quartet. With a career that began in 1975, Smith has released 11 studio albums and authored over 20 books. Celebrated fan touchstones from her acclaimed discography include the seminal recording of Gloria, Because the Night, co-written with Bruce Springsteen, and People Have the Power, co-written with her late husband Fred Sonic Smith, sitting alongside towering tracks from every decade of her recording career.
Somerset House Summer Series © Somerset House
For over 20 years, Somerset House has championed the most exciting musical talent across their cultural programme. From groundbreaking musicians such as Amy Winehouse, The Roots, Jorja Smith, Erykah Badu and Rosalía headlining the courtyard stage as part of Summer Series, to collaborating on exhibitions, installations and innovative events with artists including Björk, PJ Harvey, Neneh Cherry, Gaika, Beatrice Dillon and Anna Meredith.
Dates: 11 – 21 July 2024
Opening hours: Door times vary, check the website for details.
General Admission: from £31.25 including booking fee
For more information, visit the Somerset House website here
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