summer series

Summer Series at Somerset House support acts announced

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Support Acts Announced For Summer Series at Somerset House

7 July   HIATUS KAIYOTE + SAMPA THE GREAT

8 July   PAUL HEATON AND JACQUI ABBOTT + THE LEISURE SOCIETY

9 July   BENJAMIN CLEMENTINE + TO BE ANNOUNCED

10 July   LAURA MVULA + GALLANT + JODIE ABACUS

11 July   EVERYTHING EVERYTHING + PUMAROSA

12 July   JAMES MORRISON + SAMM HENSHAW

13 July   COURTNEY BARNETT + BILL RYDER-JONES

14 July   CARAVAN PALACE + CLAUDIA KANE

15 July   JACK SAVORETTI + GIZMO VARILLAS

16 July   ST GERMAIN + JONES

17 July   UNKLE: REDUX + SPECIAL GUESTS

Tickets from £29.50 (plus booking fee)
Available online from: www.somersethouse.org.uk

This July, Summer Series at Somerset House with American Express plays host to an eclectic selection of hotly tipped emerging acts to complement the world-class headliners.

For 11 nights from 7 to 17 July, London’s intimate live music festival, set in the picturesque courtyard of Somerset House, presents some of the most promising talent in the music industry. Artists such as Chet Faker, Jess Glynne, Jessie Ware and Aurora are among those who have opened the gigs in the past and gone on to enjoy critical and commercial success.

Building on this history of showcasing premier emerging talent, Somerset House is delighted to announce that female poet and singer-songwriter Sampa the Great will open Summer Series for Hiatus Kaiyote, who were recently honoured with the Jazz FM Album of the Year Award.

The following night, critically acclaimed rock duo The Leisure Society will support Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott. Dubbed the English answer to Grizzly Bear and Fleet Foxes, their debut single The Last of the Melting Snow was credited with an Ivor Novello nomination.

Laura Mvula is joined by two promising talents on July 10, Gallant and Jodie Abacus. Christopher Gallant has been labelled “the voice that will redefine R&B" by NME – high praise, backed up by his performances at Coachella and SXSW this year. South London musician Jodie Abacus has been busy recording his debut album with an impressive line-up of artists, producers and writers including Julio Bashmore, Tobias Jesso Jnr, Duke Dumont and Fred Gibson.

Claudia Kane’s vivid gothic electronica will fill the courtyard ahead of Caravan Palace’s pioneering electro-swing. Expect an intensely personal sonic cocktail that blends hard-hitting lyrical material influenced by Massive Attack, Bjork and Portishead.

On July 13, multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer Bill Ryder-Jones supports Courtney Barnett. Ryder-Jones is a remarkable musician and former member of the band The Coral. Recorded in his childhood bedroom, his third album West Kirby County Primary offers insight into his world by taking intimate stories and setting them to glorious molten melodies.

Other highlights include: beautiful vocal arrangements from young songstress JONES’, who has received acclaim from the likes of Jools Holland, Calvin Harris and Sam Smith; London-based five-piece band Pumarosa; the soulful stylings of Samm Henshaw and flamenco-infused Latin talent Gizmo Varillas whose disarming vocals and genre-hopping rhythms will take over the beautiful courtyard. 

The festival will close with a unique, one-off performance from UNKLE: REDUX, as James Lavelle collaborates with Philip Sheppard and a number of special to guests to present a night to remember.

Courtney Barnett, Benjamin Clementine and more for Somerset House

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Following the success of the sold out festival last year, Summer Series at Somerset House with American Express returns this year for 11 nights from 7 – 17 July 2016.

London's intimate live music festival, set in the picturesque courtyard of Somerset House, will play host to an eclectic and world-class array of headline artists alongside a selection of hotly-tipped emerging acts.

Grammy Award-nominated Hiatus Kaiyote will open the Summer Series with their multi-dimensional polyrhythmic cinematic sound from Australia. The festival brings an array of global acts to London, featuring French musician St Germain and Italian-English singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti. Joining the diverse festival line-up this year are Mercury Prize-winning Benjamin Clementine, duo Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott, Everything Everything and Caravan Palace. Last but not least, James Morrison, Courtney Barnett and Laura Mvula will join the line-up to deliver a festival to remember.

The festival will close proceedings with a unique, one-off performance from UNKLE: REDUX. James Lavelle will collaborate with Philip Sheppard to perform an unforgettable finale set against the iconic visuals from Stanley Kubrick.

Year on year Somerset House continues to provide unparalleled programmes, with carefully curated line-ups that celebrate the finest talents on offer. This year’s impeccable line-up further cements Summer Series at Somerset House as one of the must-see festivals for any discerning music fan in London.

Prices:

July 7 HIATUS KAIYOTE – £29.50 / GA Enhanced: £49.50
July 8 PAUL HEATON AND JACQUI ABBOTT – £35.00 / GA Enhanced: £55.00
July 9 BENJAMIN CLEMENTINE – £29.50 / GA Enhanced: £49.50
July 10  LAURA MVULA – £29.50 / GA Enhanced: £49.50
July 11  EVERYTHING EVERYTHING – £29.50 / GA Enhanced: £49.50
July 12  JAMES MORRISON – £35.00 / GA Enhanced: £55.00
July 13  COURTNEY BARNETT – £29.50 / GA Enhanced: £49.50
July 14  CARAVAN PALACE – £29.50 / GA Enhanced: £49.50
July 15  JACK SAVORETTI – £29.50 / GA Enhanced: £49.50
July 16  ST GERMAIN – £35.00 / GA Enhanced: £55.00
July 17  UNKLE: REDUX – £35.00 / GA Enhanced: £55.00

Summer Series at Somerset House lineup announced

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London’s intimate live music festival will play host to a typically eclectic and impressive array of headline artists alongside hotly tipped acts. 
Opening on the first night will be London-based trio, Daughter. Fronted by Elena Tonra, their haunting melodies will set the tone for a programme of beautifully atmospheric live gigs. Next up will be Dublin-quartet Kodaline who’ll continue proceedings with their powerful blend of emotive rock. Having already gained a strong following after being nominated for the BBC Sound Poll 2013 and winning the EBBA Public Choice Award in 2013, the band have more than qualified the hype that has been lavished upon them.

Taking to the stage on the third evening of Summer Series is angelic Danish singer/songwriter Agnes Obel with her ethereal tones. Having won multiple Danish music awards including Best Album, Best Female Artist and Best Songwriter of the Year, Somerset House will provide a magical backdrop for her exquisitely melancholic vocals.

On 13 July, the incomparably outrageous Australian collective The Cat Empire touch down for their Summer Series debut for an evening guaranteed to make everyone dance. Renowned all around the globe as one of the world’s best festival bands, The Cat Empire have carved themselves a unique place in the musical firmament which will make for a truly unforgettable night.

Summer Series will then welcome the almighty Kelis to the courtyard stage. Known for years of chart-dominating songs including the infamous ‘Milkshake’ and thrilling, boundary-pushing music, Kelis will be bringing her raw and soulful show with her glittering hits to Somerset House.

The following evening will see the biggest-selling new British act of 2013, Bastille, arrive for an intimate show in their home city. With their debut album Bad Blood achieving platinum status in the UK, it’s clear Bastille’s Summer Series show will be welcomed by music lovers far and wide.

On 16 July, London fans will be delighted to see Glaswegian rockers Franz Ferdinand headline the evening’s events with their exuberant and eclectic indie rock. Back with their fourth album, it once again cements their status as a unique and adventurous British band. Scottish synthpop trio Chvrches will continue the Summer Series’ proceedings on 17 July. A band born on the Internet who quickly burst onto the music scene, their wizardry has already won them a top five place in the BBC Sound of 2013 Poll. A magical 80’s inspired, euphoric evening is expected from the band.

Hugely talented singer/songwriter of the moment Sam Smith will join the line-up for an epic evening on 18 July.  His melancholic lyrics and unforgettable vocal have led to a Brits Critics Choice win and performances at festivals from Glastonbury to Coachella. Next up, hotly tipped chart-toppers Clean Bandit will headline on 19 July. Having had huge success with their number one hit ‘Rather Be’, the four-piece will bring their addictive dance-pop delights to Somerset House. Beats and soaring strings evoke Massive Attack while their live show calls on Basement Jaxx with a brand new twist.

Headlining the grand finale of the 2014 Summer Series will be insurmountable electro R&B adventurers Little Dragon. Anchored by the otherworldly vocals of front woman Yukimi Nagano, they will close proceedings with their phenomenal live show. Over the course of three albums, Little Dragon have pushed boundaries and shown they’re a dance act like no other.