AUGUST
Highlights
Nile Rodgers’ Meltdown Producer, musician and sonic trendsetter Nile Rodgers curates the 26th Meltdown – packed full of exclusive collaborations, world-wide one-offs and unmissable nights. Submit to the surreal genius of bassist and singer Thundercat, rock out to the legendary guitarist and singer-songwriter Johnny Marr, hear blistering rock
from Mali’s Songhoy Blues, or bathe in the lazing rhythms of neo-soul collective Jungle. The man himself appears at a CHIC show of peerless disco funk, leading a dancefloor renaissance that includes a recreation of notorious nightclub Studio 54. Meltdown takes place from Saturday 3 to Sunday 11 August.
Kiss My Genders
Tales of the Turntable
Summer Stage
Derrick May and the Orchestra
There’s Only One Peach with the Hole in the Middle
Disco Loco
Encounter the work of more than 30 international artists who challenge and question gender identities through photography, painting, sculpture, video and installations in this ambitious Hayward Gallery exhibition.
The Detroit-born founding father of techno leads the City of London Sinfonia orchestra in interpretations of his pioneering works of electronic music, conducted by Dzijan Emin.
Follow the beat back through time, as Eric and his grandfather take a trip through musical history at a dance and music show for all the family, by ZooNation Youth Company.
Feminist pop icon Peaches blows us away with a variety-style futuristic stage happening. In a UK premiere, she catapults her vision of queer feminism onto the stage.
Our summer-long party by the Thames celebrates LGBTQI+ performers on an outdoor stage exploding with DJs, performances, film screenings and live music. Come and party at takeovers from some of London’s most essential club and cabaret nights.
Sunglasses? Check. Disco pants? Check. Time for some alternative family entertainment with Disco Loco. The wild and wonderful family party welcomes revellers of all ages to an afternoon of DJing and performances.
Daily listings
Thursday 1 Have a banging night and strike a blow for women and non-binary artists on the techno scene.
Where the California Dream collides with the sound of London, find the neo-soul musical collective. With support from Rosie Lowe.
6pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £30 – £35
Hear the sound of the future at a gig of emerging artists selected by sonic trendsetter Nile Rodgers.
Jean Paul Gaultier: Fashion Freak Show
anaïs
1pm; Central Bar, Level 2; Royal Festival Hall; Free
SIREN
Enter the fashion designer’s world at a glittering show laden with attitude, humour and excess. 8pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £30 – £120
Friday 2 Little Gay Brother
Rethink gender on the dance floor with the liberated queer performance collective. 5.30pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Jean Paul Gaultier: Fashion Freak Show 6pm & 9.30pm; see Thu 1 Aug for more details.
Saturday 3 Meltdown Mardi Gras
Funk and soul flood our riverside stage at a party with brass bands, breakdance, lindy-hopping and disco classics. 12 noon; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Disco Wonderland
These are the good times: sing and two-step into the night to some of Nile Rodgers' greatest tunes with Some Voices choir. 3pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Nile Rodgers & CHIC
The musical legend and the incomparable disco hit-makers perform a special show exclusively for Meltdown. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £45 – £90
A Night of Studio 54
Outrageous. Era-defining. Legendary. Party at the mecca of disco – recreated here for one night only. 10.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; £50
Sunday 4 Thundercat
Key
Friday 9
Jungle
Funk, R&B and punk all feed the surreal genius of virtuosic bassist and singer Stephen Bruner. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £30 – £35
Art Performance & dance Classical music Literature Archive studio Gigs & contemporary music Talks & topics Eat & explore
Yael Naim
There are no transaction fees for in-person bookings or Southbank Centre Members and Supporters Circles. For all other bookings transaction fees apply: £3 online; £3.50 over the phone. If you wish to receive tickets in the post, a £1 delivery charge applies. * Book free events at southbankcentre.co.uk ** Supporter tickets include a voluntary donation of 10% of the standard admission charge, to support Southbank Centre’s work. For more information and to find out about Gift Aid, see southbankcentre.co.uk.
Soul-shaking, horn-fueled Afrobeat brings together this inner London eight-piece.
Eleven years on from the runaway success of ‘New Soul’, hear irresistible folk-pop from the singer-songwriter. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
Monday 5 KOKOROKO
7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £25
Following in the footsteps of Nina Simone, Bob Dylan and Bob Marley, the soul artist's spinetingling music speaks of freedom. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
Tuesday 6 Anitta
This is what a superstar sounds like: hear the leading young artist in Brazil.
Friday Lunch: Meltdown Special
And the Beat Goes On
Fresh new talent takes over our riverside stage in an afternoon of music and performance from BRIT School students. 3pm; Riverside Terrace; Free
Friday Tonic: Peter Cat Recording Co.
The ever-evolving band takes in gypsy jazz, psychedelic cabaret and epic space disco.
7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £35 – £75
6pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
Durand Jones & the Indications
Kero Kero Bonito
Their aesthetic is steeped in 70s soul, but this band of 20-somethings aren’t looking backwards. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
Wednesday 7 Alfa Mist
Melancholy jazz harmony meets alternative hip-hop and soul. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £18
Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein Perform the Music of Stranger Things Hear the dreamy score from the Netflix series and pop culture phenomenon performed live. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £27.50 – £35
Warped guitar solos, shining melodies and unnervingly tender lyrics: it's the leftfield pop trio. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £17.50
Eurythmics Songbook
Sweet dreams are made of this: an all-star band headed by David A Stewart performs the duo’s greatest hits. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £50 – £75
Nakhane
Surrender to the ravishing voice of the rising pop star behind emotionally charged debut You Will Not Die. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
Despacio
The progressive R&B artist doesn’t linger on the standard love song.
The collaborative club night from James Murphy and David and Stephen Dewaele envelops the crowd in sound.
7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
10.30pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; £50
Azekel
Bonsoir, Monsieur Robinet
Poet, comedian and musician John Hegley reflects on his Gallic roots. 8pm; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; £7
Coming to America
Just let your soul glo with the royally good romantic comedy starring Eddie Murphy, in a free outdoor screening for ages 15+. 8.30pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Thursday 8 Nile Rodgers and Merck Mercuriadis in Conversation New frontiers in music: songwriter Nile Rodgers and manager Merck Mercuriadis share their industry knowledge. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
Johnny Marr
The legendary artist brings his visionary solo sound to Nile Rodgers’ Meltdown. With support from Mystery Jets. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £35 – £45
Saturday 10 C'est Chic Vogue Ball
Go with the flow at a free day of catwalking, duckwalking and voguing soundtracked by CHIC classics. 4pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
SOPHIE
Imagine future possibilities of pop with the electronic producer, songwriter and DJ. With support from Abyss X. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £25 – £35
Despacio 10.30pm; see Fri 9 Aug for more details.
Sunday 11 Ministry of Meltdown
Go back to the roots of where it started for Nile Rodgers with an explosive afternoon of live jazz, hailing from South London and beyond. 12 noon; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Viagra Boys
Punk rock from Stockholm: meet the Viagra Boys. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
Songhoy Blues
Born out of war and exile, this Malian group creates blistering, compelling West African rock music. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £25 – £35
Radiant Children
Brimming with grit and gloss, the transatlantic trio effortlessly blends R&B, soul, funk and jazz. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £12.50
Wednesday 14 Moulin Rouge!
Spectacular spectacular! Fall in love with this enchanting musical film at an outdoor screening. 8.45pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Thursday 15 Tales of the Turntable
Travel through musical history at a toe-tapping ZooNation Youth Company show for all the family. 2pm & 7pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £25
Disco Loco
Sunglasses? Check. Disco pants? Check. Time for some alternative family entertainment. 12 noon; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Tales of the Turntable
Tales of the Turntable
12 noon & 4pm; see Thu 15 Aug for more details.
12 noon & 4pm; see Thu 15 Aug for more details.
Wednesday 21 Endless Summer August Social Tea Dance
Make hay and take a friend or stranger for a spin at our free tea dance.
This walking tour of Royal Festival Hall shares the stories of the LGBTQ+ people who helped shape Southbank Centre. Tours meet at the Welcome Desk in the Royal Festival Hall. 6pm; Royal Festival Hall; Free
2pm; see Thu 15 Aug for more details.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Let’s do the Time Warp again at an outdoor screening of the cult musical film. 8.30pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Tales of the Turntable 11am & 2pm; see Thu 15 Aug for more details.
SIREN
Stretch your ideas of gender to the max at Duckie’s variety show lineup, featuring Pink Suits, D’relle West and Rodent DeCay. 5.30pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Kinetika Bloco
Have a blast with the British carnival sound of the south London youth performance group. 6.30pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Saturday 17 Queer History Tour 2pm; see Thu 15 Aug for more details.
Tales of the Turntable 2pm & 7pm; see Thu 15 Aug for more details.
The Cocoa Butter Club
Clap your hands for this fierce collective of queer performers of colour. 4pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Sunday 18 Queer History Tour 2pm; see Thu 15 Aug for more details.
Tales of the Turntable 12 noon & 4pm; see Thu 15 Aug for more details.
Disco Loco 12 noon; see Sun 18 Aug for more details.
Wednesday 28 S’thandwa Sami: My Beloved
An intimate exhibition of the work of photographers Mimi Cherono Ng’Ok and Thabiso Sekgala.
6pm; see Thu 1 Aug for more details.
11am – 7pm (last entry 6pm); Thursdays until 9pm (last entry 8pm); closed Tuesdays; HENI Project Space; Hayward Gallery; Free
Dumy Moyi by Francois Chaignaud
There’s Only One Peach with the Hole in the Middle
6pm & 8pm; Royal Festival Hall; £10.
Duckie Summertime Special
Monday 26 10am, 12 noon & 2pm; see Sat 24 Aug for more details.
2pm; see Thu 15 Aug for more details.
2pm & 7pm; see Thu 15 Aug for more details.
4pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Tales of the Turntable
Queer History Tour Tales of the Turntable
Take part in a gender-blind dance class then tango the night away with DJs and live music.
Peppa Pig: My First Concert
An intimate and genredefying performance from the choreographer, dancer and singer, for ages 16+
Friday 16
Queer Tango on the Thames
1.30pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Thursday 22
Queer History Tour
Peppa Pig: My First Concert 10am, 12 noon & 2pm; see Sat 24 Aug for more details.
SIREN 6pm; see Thu 1 Aug for more details.
Sunday 25
Friday 23 Tales of the Turntable
Feminist pop icon Peaches blows us away with a variety-style futuristic stage happening. 8pm; Royal Festival Hall; £25 – £35
Thursday 29 S’thandwa Sami: My Beloved
Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms
Can you predict the fountain’s next move? Guess wrong and you might get soaked. Tuesday – Sunday (subject to weather conditions and maintenance); closed Mondays; 10am – 9pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Hicham Berrada: Dreamscapes
Kaleidoscopic sculptures, installations and video works informed by scientific processes. Until 18 Aug; 11am – 7pm (last entry 6pm); Thursdays until 9pm (last entry 8pm); closed Tuesdays; HENI Project Space, Hayward Gallery; Free
Guernica Remakings
This contemporary response to Pablo Picasso's iconic work of 1937 features newly commissioned poems. Daily; 11am – 8pm (closed Mondays); National Poetry Library, Level 5, Blue Side, Royal Festival Hall; Free
The BBQ Club and Patch & Picnic
Savour the sunshine over picnic and barbecue food. Daily; 12 noon – 10pm; Queen's Walk
Stacked
Hot-off-the-griddle Dutch pancakes bring a modern twist to a classic snack. Daily; 10am – 10pm; Queen's Walk, under Hungerford Bridge
SNOG Frozen Yoghurt
Five flavours and myriad toppings, ready to enjoy on a bright pink neon-lit Routemaster bus. Daily; 10am – 11pm; Queen's Walk, under Hungerford Bridge
Applebee's Fish
11am – 7pm (last entry 6pm); Thursdays until 9pm (last entry 8pm); closed Tuesdays; see Wed 28 Aug for more details.
Feel the sea breeze at the family restaurant’s first pop-up, featuring fish and chips and oysters.
Re-rewind to the best days of garage and so-solid queer anthems with the East London club night.
Violet Nights
Daily; 11am – 11pm; Queen's Walk, under Hungerford Bridge
5.30pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
7pm; Blue Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; Free
2pm & 7pm; see Thu 15 Aug for more details.
Gay Garage
Kinetika Bloco
Have a blast with a spectacular show from the south London youth performance group. 6.30pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Saturday 24 Peppa Pig: My First Concert
Everyone’s favourite Pig family is back, with an interactive introduction to the orchestra for little ones. 12 noon & 2pm; Royal Festival Hall; £12 – £15 (child), £16 – £20 (adult)
Tales of the Turntable 2pm & 7pm; see Thu 15 Aug for more details.
Tw*t Boutique
The era-defining club night is back for a free one-night-only summer special. Because you need it. 4pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
We welcome Brainchild Festival for an evening of talking and performance that reframes death.
Derrick May and the Orchestra
The Hop Locker
A must-visit London destination for great beer. Daily; 11am – 11pm; Queen's Walk, under Hungerford Bridge
The Detroit-born founding father of techno leads orchestral interpretations of his works.
Oh My Dog!
7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £30 – £50
Daily; 11am – 11pm; Queen's Walk, under Hungerford Bridge
Friday 30 S’thandwa Sami: My Beloved 11am – 7pm (last entry 6pm); Thursdays until 9pm (last entry 8pm); closed Tuesdays; see Wed 28 Aug for more details.
Saturday 31 S’thandwa Sami: My Beloved 11am – 7pm (last entry 6pm); Thursdays until 9pm (last entry 8pm); closed Tuesdays; see Wed 28 Aug for more details.
Throughout the month Kiss My Genders
A group exhibition exploring gender identity and gender fluidity. Until 8 Sep; 11am – 7pm (last entry 6pm); Thursdays until 9pm (last entry 8pm); closed Tuesdays; Hayward Gallery; Hayward Gallery supporter £15.50**; standard £14
Enter a whole new world of frankfurter goodness.
Truffle
Street food focused on your favourite indulgent ingredient. Daily; 11am – 11pm; Queen's Walk, under Hungerford Bridge
Elephant Juice
Revitalise your summer with juices, smoothies and cocktails. Daily; 11am – 11pm; Queen's Walk, under Hungerford Bridge
Mr Bombay
For a taste of authentic traditional Indian cuisine, try Mr Bombay. Daily; 12 noon – 11pm; Outside Queen Elizabeth Hall, Level 2 Riverside Terrace
Getting here Queen Elizabeth Hall & Purcell Room ter Wa
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By tube Waterloo (200 metres) Embankment (600 metres)
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By train The nearest stations are: Waterloo Waterloo East Charing Cross Blackfriars
IMAX
By bus Route RV1 stops on Belvedere Road (less than a minute’s walk away) Routes 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 521, N1, N68, N171 and N343 stop on Waterloo Bridge (a two-minute walk away) Routes 76, 77, 211, 341, 381, 507, N381, N76 and RV1 stop on York Road (five minutes’ walk away)
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London Waterloo East
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Support
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Southbank Centre
LondonSouthbank Centre occupies a 17-acre site in the midst of Eye London’s most vibrant cultural quarter on the South Bank of the Waterloo
Thames. This includes Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Hayward Gallery. We also curate the outdoor spaces along the riverfront and around our venues.
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On the cover: Nile Rodgers © Britt Lloyd
Listings correct at time of going to press. Southbank Centre is a registered charity no. 298909
Highlights page: © Britt Lloyd; Juliana Huxtable, Untitled (Lil’ Marvel), 2015 © Juliana Huxtable, 2019. Courtesy of the artist, Project Native Informant, London and JTT, New York. Exhibition title taken from ‘Transome’ by Planningtorock, licensed courtesy of Domino Publishing Company Limited; photography © Drew Forsyth; © Magdalena Wosinska, © Pete Woodhead Inside page © Lia Vittone Photography
To receive publications in alternative formats, and for further information, email accesslist@southbankcentre. co.uk or phone 020 3879 9555