JUNE
Highlights
Meltdown From 15 to 24 June, Robert Smith curates the UK’s longest-running artist-curated music festival in its 25th year. Smith is the lead singer and principal songwriter of The Cure, one of popular music’s defining bands, which took the ‘alternative rock’ genre mainstream around the world. An iconic figure in his own right, Smith’s influence reaches across popular culture, film, art and fashion.
Meltdown is one of the UK’s most anticipated music events each year, in which an iconic artist curates their own personal festival, revealing their interests and influences. Robert Smith follows in the footsteps of such legendary curators as Patti Smith, Nick Cave, Yoko Ono, Massive Attack, Ornette Coleman and 2017’s M.I.A. This year, the line-up features artists including The Libertines and The Deftones.
Bill Murray and Jan Vogler Present: New Worlds
Deftones
Lee Bul
Caitlin Moran: How to Be Famous
Philharmonia Orchestra - EsaPekka Salonen: Gurrelieder
Isabelle Huppert reads Marquis de Sade
Comic actor Bill Murray and cellist Jan Vogler perform selections from their theatrical album, New Worlds. A blend of classical music and literary readings, it explores themes of American history and identity.
The inimitable comedian dives into a hilarious and thoughtprovoking discussion of all things famous in this laugh-out-loud event. She talks about #metoo, #timesup, and why we’re on the verge of a Lady Revolution.
Experimental alt-metal band Deftones play a one-off gig for Meltdown, supported by Swedish experimental instrumentalists pg.lost.Often hailed as one of alternative metal’s most important and experimental bands, their heavy layered sound is brutal yet beautiful.
The Philharmonia performs Schoenberg’s tale of love and jealousy with Esa-Pekka Salonen. The epic masterpiece is scored for soloists, chorus and huge orchestral forces, including a part for iron chains.
Exploring South Korean artist Lee Bul’s extensive investigation into the body and its relationship to architectural space, this exhibition features documentation of the artist’s early performances, monstrous sculptures, immersive installations and a new commission that partially envelops Hayward Gallery’s exterior.
One of the world’s leading actors interprets the subversive genius of the Marquis de Sade. The amoral energy of Sade’s worlds is brought viscerally to the present by Isabelle Huppert, winner of the 2017 Best Actress Golden Globe Award.
Daily listings Key Art Performance & dance Classical music Literature Archive studio Gigs & contemporary music Talks & topics Eat & explore There are no transaction fees for in-person bookings or Southbank Centre Members and Supporters Circles. For all other bookings transaction fees apply: £2.50 online; £3 over the phone. If you wish to receive tickets in the post, a £1 delivery charge applies. * Book free events at southbankcentre.co.uk ** For full repertoire, see 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. Meltdown concerts are for ages 14+. Under18s should be accompanied by an adult.
Friday 1 Friday Lunch
Enjoy a free lunchtime concert. 1pm; Central Bar Foyer, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Family Gamelan Taster Session
Bring your family and friends to play our Javanese percussion orchestra. 2pm; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £10
Lee Bul in Conversation
Hear South Korean artist Lee Bul discuss her work and the influences behind her current Hayward Gallery exhibition. 4pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; Free*
Friday Tonic: Harrison Storm
Hear Australian singer-songwriter Harrison Storm perform his soulful vocals and finger-picked guitar in this free concert. 5.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
Zadie Xa: Flooded with ICE/ Hell Fire Can’t Scorch Me
Korean-Canadian visual artist Zadie Xa performs with storytellers, dancers and musicians in a work that explores a dystopian feminist future through the eyes of a young protagonist. 6.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; Free*
Anthony Horowitz on James Bond
Join the bestselling author to discuss his latest novel featuring Britain’s most famous spy. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £15 – £35
Saturday 2 Zimmer vs. Williams
Listen to the best scores from two of the world’s greatest film composers. London Concert Orchestra Anthony Inglis conductor John Williams Main theme from Star Wars (Rebel Blockade Runner), Jurassic Park, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Superman, ET; Hans Zimmer Man of Steel, Batman Begins, The Da Vinci Code, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Dark Knight Rises, Inception, Gladiator 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £16.50 – £48
Family Gamelan Taster Session 3pm; see Fri 1 Jun for more details.
Trojan Women by National Theatre of Korea
This contemporary opera fuses K-pop, traditional pansori storytelling, and Greek mythology. Part of LIFT 2018. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £22 – £28
Sunday 3 Trojan Women by National Theatre of Korea 5pm; see Sat 2 Jun for more details.
Philharmonia Chamber Players: Debussy & Saint-Saëns Don’t miss the final chamber programme of the 2017/18 Philharmonia Chamber Players Series. Tamás Sándor violin Emily Davis violin Yukiko Ogura viola Richard Birchall cello Heidi Krutzen harp Laurent Ben Slimane clarinet Evgenia Startseva piano Saint-Saëns Fantaisie for violin & harp, Op.124; Debussy Danse sacrée et danse profane; Martinů Musique de chambre No.1 (Les fêtes nocturnes) 6pm; Royal Festival Hall; Free
Philharmonia Orchestra – Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique
Paavo Järvi conducts the Philharmonia in a programme of fire and fantasy. Denis Kozhukhin piano Dukas The Sorcerer’s Apprentice; Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No.3; Berlioz Symphonie fantastique 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £11 – £42 (Signature seats £55)
Monday 4 Gong Babies
Join this relaxing music workshop aimed at parents, carers and babies. 2pm; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £5 (for one baby and accompanying adult)
Royal Over-Seas League: Annual Music Competition Gold Medal Final
Watch as the winners of the ROSL Music Competition section finals compete for the Gold Medal. 7pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10 – £20
Poetry Course: In Response to Lee Bul
Expand your poetic repertoire in response to Hayward Gallery’s exhibition in this six-week course taught by Tamar Yoseloff. 7.15pm; Hayward Gallery; £90 (full course)
Drawing Course: In Response to Lee Bul Develop your drawing skills in this six-week course with exclusive access to Hayward Gallery after hours.
7.15pm; Hayward Gallery; £90 (full course)
Bill Murray & Jan Vogler Present: New Worlds
Actor Bill Murray and cellist Jan Vogler perform selections from their new theatrical album. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £45 – £90
Creation (Pictures for Dorian) by Gob Squad
Inspired by the character of Dorian Gray, this show asks: who decides what is beautiful? Part of LIFT 2018. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20
Tuesday 5 Gamelan & Poetry Workshops – Lambeth Schools Offer 2017/2018 We invite Lambeth primary schools to free gamelan and poetry workshops.
10.30am; Gamelan Room, Level 1; Royal Festival Hall; Free*
An Evening with Gordon Brown
Hear the former prime minister reflect on four decades on the front line of politics. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £25
Paul Lewis – piano
Paul Lewis embarks on a series of recitals exploring Haydn, Beethoven and Brahms. Beethoven 11 Bagatelles, Op.119; Haydn Sonata in E flat, Hob.XVI/49, Sonata in B minor, Hob.XVI/32; Brahms 4 Pieces, Op.119 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £10 – £55
Creation (Pictures for Dorian) by Gob Squad 7.45pm; see Mon 4 Jun for more details.
Wednesday 6 Teachers Twilight Evening: Lee Bul
Discover how your school can enjoy our Hayward Gallery exhibition over a glass of wine. 5pm; Level 5 Function Room, Royal Festival Hall; Free (£30 cancellation fee)
Mozart’s La Finta Semplice
Experience the comedy and beauty of Mozart’s astonishing first fulllength opera. Classical Opera / The Mozartists Ian Page conductor, director Mark Doubleday lighting designer Emily Adamson costume designer Regula Mühlemann Rosina Chiara Skerath Ninetta Sophie Rennert Giacinta Alessandro Fisher Don Polidoro Thomas Elwin Fracasso Lukas Jakobski Don Cassandro Božidar Smiljanić Simone Mozart La finta semplice – opera in 3 acts (semi-staged performance in Italian with English surtitles) 7pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £18 – £60
Creation (Pictures for Dorian) by Gob Squad 7.45pm; see Mon 4 Jun for more details.
Poem Brut
Dive into an alternative world of poetry: visual, visceral and colourful. 8pm; National Poetry Library, Level 5, Royal Festival Hall; Free*
Thursday 7 Music of Today: Composers’ Academy
The culminating concert of the Philharmonia Orchestra’s Academy. Players from the Philharmonia Orchestra Anna-Maria Helsing conductor A recital of new works as part of the Young Composers Academy World premieres by three young composers: Freya Waley-Cohen, Austin Leung & Eugene Birman.
Saturday 9 Gamelan Youth Course – Summer 2018
If you’re aged 11 – 18, come and explore ensemble music-making on our Javanese gamelan. 12 noon; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £60 per term
Kevin and Karen – Dance 2018 Strictly stars Kevin and Karen bring sassy tunes and sparkling costumes to Royal Festival Hall.
6pm; Royal Festival Hall; Free
2.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £16.50 – £49.50
Dohnányi: Beethoven 5
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: Fauré Requiem
Expect thrills as Christoph von Dohnányi and Arabella Steinbacher perform with the Philharmonia. Christoph von Dohnányi conductor Arabella Steinbacher violin Haydn Symphony No.12; Mozart Violin Concerto No.5 in A, K.219; Beethoven Symphony No.5
Creation (Pictures for Dorian) by Gob Squad
Enjoy an evening of classics with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Oliver Gooch conductor Daniel Hope violin Keri Fuge soprano Duncan Rock baritone London Philharmonic Choir Mendelssohn Overture, The Hebrides (Fingal’s Cave); Bruch Violin Concerto No.1; Schubert Symphony No.8 (Unfinished); Fauré Requiem
7.45pm; see Mon 4 Jun for more details.
7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £16.50 – £49.50
7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £11 – £42 (Signature seats £55)
Friday 8 Rug Rhymes
A short session of nursery rhymes and poems for under-5s and their carers. 10.30am; National Poetry Library Reading Den, Level 5, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Friday Lunch: Martin Speake’s Mafarowi
Take in a lunchtime concert by rhythmic four-piece band Mafarowi. 1pm; Central Bar Foyer, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Friday Tonic: Percussing
Kick off your Friday evening with dynamic soprano and marimba duo Percussing. 5.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
Mozart’s La Finta Semplice 7pm; see Wed 6 Jun for more details.
Angélique Kidjo Sings Talking Heads
Hear Angélique Kidjo’s thrilling reinterpretation of iconic songs by Talking Heads. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £15 – £45
Mix: London Sinfonietta & Tom Jenkinson
Witness a groundbreaking collaboration between Squarepusher and London Sinfonietta. Tom Jenkinson electric bass Tom Jenkinson New work for duo, New work for quartet, New work for ensemble 8pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
Isabelle Huppert reads Marquis de Sade
One of the world’s leading actors interprets the subversive genius of the Marquis de Sade. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £48 – £88
Telemann: The Forgotten Genius of the High Baroque
Hear Telemann’s greatest chamber works, the Paris Quartets, juxtaposed with Bach’s trio sonatas in this concert. The Feinstein Ensemble Martin Feinstein director, flute Miki Takahashi violin Christopher Suckling cello, viola da gamba Robin Bigwood harpsichord Telemann Trio Sonata in B minor for flute, viola da gamba & continuo, TWV.42:h4; JS Bach Trio Sonata in E minor (after Sonata in D minor for organ, BWV.527); Telemann Quartet in A for flute, violin, viola da gamba & continuo, ‘Paris Quartet No.3’, Cello Sonata in D, TWV.41:D6, JS Bach Trio Sonata in G (after Sonata in E flat for organ, BWV.525); Telemann Quartet in E minor for flute, violin, viola da gamba & continuo, ‘Paris Quartet No.12’ 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £19 – £21
Sunday 10 OAE TOTs: King Arthur
Meet a gaggle of characters through orchestral music with a narrative in these interactive OAE TOTs workshops. For ages 2 – 5. 10.15am, 11.15am & 12.15pm; Level 5 Function Room, Royal Festival Hall; £8 adults £1 tots
London Philharmonic Orchestra: FUNharmonics Family Concert
The LPO performs a concert especially for families, featuring music and animations. Stravinsky Petrushka (excerpts). For ages 6+ 12 noon; Royal Festival Hall; £12 – £20 adults, £6 – £10 children
The Musicians Company Concerts 2018
Hear a mix of classic and contemporary pieces from Bach, Falla, Ravel and more at this recital. Oliver Wass harp Toby Hughes double bass Benjamin Powell piano JS Bach Lute Suite in E minor, BWV.996; Oliver Christophe Leith Pushing my thumb through a plate; Falla Spanish dance No.1 from La vida breve arr. Grandjany for harp; Montag Allegro moderato molto, Allegro scherzando from Sonata in E minor for double bass & piano, Op.97; Glière Preludium & Scherzo for double bass & piano, Op.32; Mats Lidström Le cygne; Francaix Thème varié for double bass; Ravel Prélude in A minor, A la manière de Chabrier, Jeux d’eau; Prokofiev The young Juliet, Romeo and Juliet before parting from Romeo and Juliet; Debussy Sonata in D minor 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10 – £20
Tuesday 12 Hayward Gallery Secondary Schools Takeover: Lee Bul
This day of workshops and tours is led by secondary school pupils for Year 8 and 9 students. 10am – 2.15pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall & Hayward Gallery; Free (£100 cancellation fee); see southbankcentre. co.uk/visit/group-visits to find out how to book as a group.
Gamelan & Poetry Workshops – Lambeth Schools Offer 2017/2018 10.30am; see Tue 5 Jun for more details.
Summer’s Here Tea Dance The sun is out and it’s time to get moving.
1.30pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
BBC Concert Orchestra – David Bedford at 80
Celebrate David Bedford’s music with the BBC Concert Orchestra in a concert spanning his 50-year career. Michael Seal conductor Steve Hillage guitar Scanner electronics David Bedford Alleluia Timpanis for orchestra; Scanner A Little Bit of Everything (World premiere); David Bedford Symphony No.1; Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells arr. David Bedford for orchestra 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £12 – £25
Travis
See Glaswegian rockers Travis perform their album The Man Who and other hits. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £29.50 – £49.50
Wednesday 13 Southbank Sinfonia with Parliament Choir
Two of Vaughan Williams’ mostloved orchestral works are paired with an oratorio that celebrates the unsung heroes of the Great War. Simon Over conductor Allegri String Quartet City Choir Dunedin Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending; Jessie Montgomery Banner for string quartet & orchestra; Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis; Anthony Ritchie Gallipoli to the Somme – oratorio (London premiere) 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £30
Travis 7.30pm; see Tue 12 Jun for more details.
Thursday 14 Corinthian Orchestra’s Summer Spectacular
The Corinthian Orchestra mark the end of their season with Berlioz, Strauss and Mahler. Michael Seal conductor Martin Owen French horn Berlioz Overture, Le carnaval romain; R Strauss Horn Concerto No.1; Mahler Symphony No.10 (compl. Cooke) 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £22
Philharmonia Orchestra – Korea-UK Year of Culture: Closing Concert
The Philharmonia is joined by conductor Han-Na Chang for a special Korea-UK concert. Sunwook Kim piano Rossini Overture, William Tell; Grieg Piano Concerto; Tchaikovsky Symphony No.5 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £11 – £42 (Signature seats £55)
Jayanthi Kumaresh – Carnatic concert featuring world renowned percussionists
Immerse yourself in traditional and innovative Indian classical music. Jayanthi Kumaresh veena 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £12 – £15
Friday 15 Rug Rhymes 10.30am; see Fri 8 Jun for more details.
Friday Lunch: I’m in Love
Enjoy a free lunchtime concert. 1pm; Central Bar Foyer, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Friday Tonic: I’m in Love
Enjoy a free evening concert. 5.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
65daysofstatic
The instrumental post-rock quartet perform at the 25th Meltdown, with support from Tropic of Cancer. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20 – £25
The Psychedelic Furs
The legendary post-punk pioneers take the stage for Robert Smith’s Meltdown, with support from The Church. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £30 – £40
Monday 18
Joycut
Listen to ‘music for the future’ with Italian trio JoyCut, with support from Indian Queens. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
Friday I’m in Love Party
Finish off your Friday right at our aftershow party. For ages 16+.
Low
The Joy Formidable
The American indie rock mainstays perform. Support comes from Fear of Men.
Explore the musical edges of light and dark with indie rock group Low at this show for Meltdown, with support from composer and cellist Jo Quail.
7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £25 – £45
7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20 – £25
7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £23
God Is an Astronaut
Moon Duo
Death Cab for Cutie
10pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Hear the Irish trio’s emotive instrumental rock at Meltdown. Support comes from Jambinai.
Indulge in the synth-driven drone rock of this American duo at Meltdown.
Concrete Lates: Kiasmos DJ Set
7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20
7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20
Celebrate Robert Smith’s Meltdown with a specially curated DJ set. 11pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; £15
Saturday 16 Gamelan Youth Course – Summer 2018
Emma Ruth Rundle
The American singer-songwriter, guitarist and artist brings her raw, evocative sound to Meltdown, with support from Planning for Burial. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
Tuesday 19
12 noon; see Sat 9 Jun for more details.
Buskers Stage
Robert Smith, curator of this year’s Meltdown, picks the best of London’s buskers. 1pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Placebo
The iconic alternative rock band takes the stage for Meltdown, with support from kælan mikla. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £45 – £65
The Notwist
The Notwist bring their creative, experimental take on indie rock to Meltdown, with support from Drahla. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20
Jambinai
The Korean band perform their distinctive mix of folk, metal, and traditional music. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
Concrete Lates: Vessels Live & DJ Set Electronic group Vessels play a DJ set and live show for this Meltdown special. 11pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; £15
Sunday 17 Sunday Surprises
Rock out on a Sunday afternoon with a line-up of emerging bands chosen by Robert Smith. 1pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Alcest
The French blackgaze band play their latest album Kodama for Meltdown, with support from Emma Ruth Rundle. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £17.50 – £25
The Libertines
The Libertines play a one-off intimate show as part of Meltdown, with support from YONAKA. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £25 – £65
Loop
The band reunites after many years to play their hypnotic space rock, with support from Planning for Burial. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20
Hayward Gallery Primary Schools Takeover: Lee Bul
This day of workshops and tours is led by primary school Art Explorers for Year 5 and 6 students. 10am – 2.15pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall & Hayward Gallery; Free (£100 cancellation fee); see southbankcentre. co.uk/visit/group-visits to find out how to book as a group.
Gamelan & Poetry Workshops – Lambeth Schools Offer 2017/2018
Jónsi, Alex Somers & Paul Corley: Liminal
Discover an experimental new project by Sigur Rós singer Jónsi, Alex Somers and Paul Corley in this live show for Meltdown. 11pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; £30
Thursday 21 Kristin Hersh
The songwriter, guitarist and singer performs as part of Meltdown. Support comes from Matt Holubowski. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20 – £25
Mogwai
Glasgow’s experimental rock pioneers play a one-off show for Meltdown. Support comes from Kathryn Joseph.
10.30am; see Tue 5 Jun for more details.
7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £35 – £40
Manic Street Preachers
pg.lost
The Welsh rock titans play an intimate show for Meltdown. Support comes from The Anchoress. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £25 – £45
Frightened Rabbit
Join the rallying cry as the Glasgowbased band play their anthemic brand of indie rock for Meltdown, with support from Pumarosa.
The Swedish experimental instrumentalists pg.lost bring their hybrid soundscapes to Robert Smith’s Meltdown, with support from Thought Forms. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
Jónsi, Alex Somers & Paul Corley: Liminal 11pm; see Wed 20 Jun for more details.
Friday 22
7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £25 – £30
Vex Red
The electronic rockers unveil new music at this intimate gig. Support comes from Douglas Dare. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
Wednesday 20 Yuan Goang-Ming: Tomorrowland.
This exhibition of the work of Taiwanese artist Yuan Goang-Ming features three recent videos that continue the artist’s exploration into the idea of ruins, homes and dwellings. 11am – 7pm; HENI Project Space, Hayward Gallery, Free
Deftones
The experimental alt-metal band play a special one-off gig as part of Meltdown. Support comes from pg.lost. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £45 – £65
Rug Rhymes 10.30am; see Fri 8 Jun for more details.
Friday Lunch: I’m in love
Enjoy the sounds of Meltdown in this free lunchtime concert. 1pm; Central Bar Foyer, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Friday Tonic: I’m in love
Enjoy the sounds of Meltdown in this free evening concert. 5.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; Free
MONO
MONO bring their instrumental post-rock symphonies to Meltdown, with support from Jo Quail. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20 – £25
Friday I’m in Love Party 10pm; see Fri 15 Jun for more details.
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails perform a oneoff gig to celebrate Meltdown, with support from Black Moth Super Rainbow. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £45 – £65
Hear Welsh band The Joy Formidable at Robert Smith’s Meltdown, with support from Kidsmoke.
Jónsi, Alex Somers & Paul Corley: Liminal 11pm; see Wed 20 Jun for more details.
Saturday 23 Gamelan Youth Course – Summer 2018 12pm; see Sat 9 Jun for more details.
Buskers Stage
Robert Smith, curator of this year’s Meltdown, picks the best of London’s buskers. 1pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
Meltdown Big Busk
Bring along your guitar and join in our massive big busk for all ages. 5.30pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
My Bloody Valentine
My Bloody Valentine perform their first UK show in five years for Meltdown, with support from The Soft Moon. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £25 – £65
Suzanne Vega
See one of the most brilliant singersongwriters of the folk music revival in this show for Meltdown, with support from James Walsh. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £35 – £45
And Also The Trees
Turn up and tune in to hear the dark jazz rhythms and poetic lyrics of these post-punk stalwarts, with support from A Dead Forest Index. 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
Concrete Lates: Eat Static DJ Set
This Meltdown edition features the otherworldly sound of Eat Static. 11pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer; £15
Sunday 24 Sunday Surprises
Rock out on a Sunday afternoon with a line-up of emerging bands chosen by Robert Smith. 1pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
The Soft Moon
Hear the minimal wave sounds of the post-punk auteur at this performance for Meltdown, with support from The KVB. 6.30pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15
CURÆTION-25
Curator Robert Smith closes the 25th Meltdown festival with an exclusive two-hour show, with support from The Twilight Sad. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £25 – £65
Maybeshewill
The instrumental band returns to the stage for this special one-off appearance at Meltdown, with support from I Like Trains. 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £20 – £25
Melted
Join us for the Meltdown afterparty to end all afterparties, for ages 16+. 10.30pm; The Clore Ballroom; Level 2; Royal Festival Hall; Free
Monday 25 The Purcell School Freddy Morgan Piano Recitals
Talented young pianists perform works by Ravel, Liszt, Debussy, and more. Bunny Liu piano Cherry Ge piano Kasparas Mikuzis piano Chea Woom Lee piano Schubert Impromptu in F minor, D.935 No.1; Ravel Prélude from Le tombeau de Couperin, Liszt Concert paraphrase on Verdi’s Rigoletto, S.434; Ravel Oiseaux tristes from Miroirs; Liszt Ballade No.2 in B minor, S.171; Debussy Feux d’artifice; Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker Suite arr. Pletnev for piano; Schumann Papillons, Op.2; Prokofiev Toccata in D minor, Op.11 7.45pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £12.50 – £15
Tuesday 26 Gamelan & Poetry Workshops – Lambeth Schools Offer 2017/2018 10.30am; see Tue 5 Jun for more details.
Gamelan School & Group Workshops – Summer 2018
Get a group together to have a go at playing the Javanese gamelan 2pm; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £195
OAE: Dangerous Liaisons
The OAE and dancers recreate the sounds and sights of Versailles. John Butt conductor, harpsichord Anna Dennis soprano Jeremy Budd tenor Nick Pritchard tenor Hubert Hazebroucq choreographer Programme includes music by Lully, Campra, Charpentier, Clérambault, Destouches & Rameau. 7pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10 – £60
Caitlin Moran: How To Be Famous
The inimitable comedian dives into a hilarious and thought-provoking discussion of all things famous. 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £25 – £45
Polari
The renowned LGBTQ+ literary salon returns, with readings by Philip Hensher and others. 7.30pm; Level 5 Function Room, Royal Festival Hall; £5
Wednesday 27 Agam, Carnatic Rock from South India
Hear the rhythms of Carnatic music fused with progressive rock. Harish Sivaramakrishnan vocals 8pm; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £15 – £25
Wandsworth Music Festival
Admire the musical achievements of over 1000 children from schools across Wandsworth. 1.30pm & 4pm; The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Thursday 28 Wandsworth Music Festival 1.30pm & 6pm; see Wed 27 Jun for more details.
Philharmonia Orchestra – EsaPekka Salonen: Gurrelieder Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts Schoenberg’s operatic tale of love and jealousy. Alwyn Mellor soprano Michelle DeYoung mezzo-soprano Robert Dean Smith tenor Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke tenor David Soar bass Barbara Sukowa speaker chorus to be announced Schoenberg Gurrelieder 7.30pm; Royal Festival Hall; £11 – £42 (Signature seats £55)
Friday 29 Rug Rhymes 10.30am, see Fri 8 Jun for more details.
Friday Lunch: Jamal and Alaa
Hear traditional Syrian and Arabic folk songs at this free concert. 1pm; Central Bar Foyer, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Friday Tonic: Suna Alan
Junior Trinity Summer Celebration Concert
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance’s junior programme celebrates the end of the year. Junior Trinity Laban Symphony Orchestra Junior Trinity Laban Ensembles Andrew Morley conductor Mark Griffiths conductor Dan James conductor Zoe Challenor conductor Sam Bullard conductor Charis Morgan viola Spiritual My soul’s been anchored by the Lord arr. Moses Hogan; Eriks Esenvalds Stars for choir & tuned wine glasses; Amanda McBroom The Rose; Walton Passacaglia (The death of Falstaff) from Henry V; Touch her soft lips and part from Henry V; Georg Hoth Cantabile, Op.1; Harold Arlen Get Happy; Bernstein Excerpts from West Side Story; Mozart Allegro assai (1st movement) from Symphony No.31 (Paris); Elgar Chanson de matin; Bruch Romance for viola and orchestra, Op.85; Bernstein Slava! A Political Overture 7.30pm; Queen Elizabeth Hall; £10–£15
Throughout the month A Child’s Guide to Brutalism
Gamelan Youth Course – Summer 2018 12 noon; see Sat 9 Jun for more details.
A group exhibition explores how our world might look and feel in the future.
Until 11 June. 11am – 7pm; Thursday until 9pm (last entry 8pm); closed Tuesday; HENI Project Space, Hayward Gallery, Free
Gamelan School & Group Workshops - Summer 2018
Get a group together to have a go at playing the Javanese gamelan. Weekly, Tuesdays (2pm), Wednesdays (10.30am), Thursdays (10.30am & 2pm); Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £195
Gamelan Beginner Course
Learn how to play the Javanese gamelan in this beginners’ course. Weekly, Mondays & Wednesdays; 7pm; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £100 per term or £270 for three terms in advance
Gamelan Intermediate Course
Take your gamelan-playing skills to the next level with this intermediate course.
Gamelan Advanced Course Summer 2018
Southbank Centre Beach
Get a taste of the seaside at Southbank Centre this summer. Until 9 Sep; 10am – 9pm; Queen’s Walk; Free
Appearing Rooms
Can you predict the fountain’s next move? Guess wrong and you might get soaked.
Modified Social Benches
10.30am & 12 noon; Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall; £9 adults, £1 tots
Adapt to Survive: Notes from the Future
Daily; 10am, Archive Studio, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
5.30pm; Central Bar Foyer, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Introduce children to the wonder of the orchestra. Players from Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. For ages 2 – 5
Daily; 11am – 7pm; Thursday until 9pm (last entry 8pm); closed Tuesday; Hayward Gallery; Supporter £14.50***; Standard £13
Weekly, Thursdays; 6pm, Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £100 per term or £270 for three terms in advance
Until 9 Sep; 10am – 9pm; Riverside Terrace, Level 2; Free
OAE Tots: King Arthur
A mid-career survey of the work of acclaimed South Korean artist Lee Bul.
Explore this new display on brutalist architecture, for both children and adults.
Start your weekend off with Kurdish folk songs and beyond.
Saturday 30
Lee Bul
See (and sit on) Jeppe Hein’s witty reinventions of the park bench, each one different from the next. Until 2 Sep; across the site
ABBA: Super Troupers
Come on a musical journey with Swedish pop sensation ABBA as they take over 1970s Britain. Daily; various times (see southbankcentre. co.uk for more details); Exhibition Space, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; Supporter; £15***, Standard: £25
Dragon Babies - Gamelan for 3-5 year olds Shake, rattle and gong with your little ones.
Fri 1, Mon 4, Mon 11, Mon 18 & Mon 25 Jun; 11am; Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £5 (for one child and accompanying adults)
Instagram Poetry
Discover this emergent form of poetry in a world-first exhibition. Tuesday – Sunday, 11am – 8pm, National Poetry Library, Level 5, Royal Festival Hall; Free
Put your gamelan experience to the test with our advanced course. Weekly, Thursdays; 8pm, Gamelan Room, Level 1, Royal Festival Hall; £100 per term or £270 for three terms in advance
Yuan Goang-Ming: Tomorrowland.
This exhibition of the work of Taiwanese artist Yuan Goang-Ming features three recent videos that continue the artist’s exploration into the idea of ruins, homes and dwellings. From 20 June; 11am – 7pm; Thursday until 9pm (last entry 8pm); closed Tuesday; HENI Project Space, Hayward Gallery, Free
Getting here Queen Elizabeth Hall & Purcell Room ter Wa
National Theatre
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By tube Waterloo (200 metres) Embankment (600 metres)
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Royal Festival Hall
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Hayward Gallery Be lve de re R
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)
Southbank Centre
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London Waterloo East
LondonWe believe art has the power to help create a better world for Eye everyone. That’s why we began in 1951 on the South Bank of Waterloo
the Thames. Dreamed up after World War Two, the Festival of Britain gave the nation hope for a brighter future. Today, millions of people gather at our festivals to enjoy culture from around the world. We put on 5,700 concerts, gigs, exhibitions, Waterloo Station shows and debates each year, half of them for free. Our work can be seen on six continents and in 37 towns and cities across the UK. Come and see for yourself. Southbank Centre occupies a 17-acre site in the midst of London’s vibrant cultural quarter on the South Bank of the 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, providing free art for millions of people every year.
How to book tickets Online southbankcentre.co.uk* By phone 020 3879 9555* 9am – 8pm daily In person Royal Festival Hall Ticket Office 10am – 8pm daily Queen Elizabeth Hall Ticket Office 10am – 8pm daily
* There are no transaction fees for in-person bookings or Southbank Centre Members and Supporters Circles. For all other bookings transaction fees apply: £2.50 online; £3 over the phone. If you wish to receive tickets in the post, a £1 delivery charge applies.
Access We offer BSL Interpretation, Speech-to-Text Transcription, Audio Description, Captioning, and Autism-Friendly Performances. To join our Access Scheme and book concessionary tickets, email accesslist@southbankcentre.co.uk or call 020 3879 9555. Level access is available to all our venues. For more access information please visit southbankcentre.co.uk/access
Membership Become a Member and be first in line for tickets to over 5,700 events. Join now at southbankcentre.co.uk/membership
Support Join our family of supporters and help us continue to present as many free activities as possible, making art available to all at southbankcentre.co.uk/support Listings correct at time of going to press. Southbank Centre is a registered charity no. 298909
While you’re here You’ll never be short of eating and drinking options at Southbank Centre – we’ve got everything from cafes and sandwich shops to fine dining and bars. Browse our shops for designer concessions, unusual gifts, furniture, jewellery and homeware. Cafes, restaurants and bars You can grab a snack, sit down for a meal, or have a drink at a selection of venues across our site, including our brand-new Queen Elizabeth Hall and Hayward Gallery Cafes. Try Central Bar, Topolski or Las Iguanas at cocktail time, and Honest Burgers, EAT or Le Pain Quotidien for a coffee. If you're on a date, head for Skylon or Wahaca; if you're bringing the kids, they'll enjoy Giraffe or Riverside Terrace Cafe. Shops Buy a gift or find something for yourself at our three on-site shops, offering design-led products inspired by our festival programme. Our newly reopened Hayward Gallery shop offers designer collaborations featuring ceramics, tiles, prints, jewellery and art books. Discover inspiring toys and games for children and prints, unique gifts and contemporary lifestyle products at our Festival Terrace and Royal Festival Hall shops. For the latest titles, bestsellers on a wide range of subjects and works linked to our Literature events, visit the Southbank Centre branch of Foyles. Southbank Centre Food Market Discover why our food market is a food lover’s destination, as our traders return with delicious street food for every appetite. Friday, 12 noon – 8pm Saturday, 11am – 8pm Sunday, 12 noon – 6pm Bank Holiday Mondays, 12 noon – 6pm
On the cover: © And Vella Highlights page: The Libertines © Roger Sargent Bill Murray And Jan Vogler © Peter Rigaud Isabelle Huppert © Peter Lindbergh Philharmonia Orchestra © Felix Broede Lee Bul Installation view of Civitas Solis II, 2014 at “MMCA Hyundai Motor Series 2014: Lee Bul, ”, 2014-2015 © Lee Bul Photo Jeon Byung-cheol Courtes, The artist and National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea Inside full page: Meltdown Mela © Victor Frankowski
To receive publications in alternative formats, and for further information, email accesslist@southbankcentre. co.uk or phone 020 3879 9555