Somerset House announces diverse line-up and special commissions for 25th anniversary Summer Series festival in July 2025

13^th May 2025

The editorial unit

The editorial unit

13 May 2025

Somerset House Summer Series

The editorial unit

Somerset House has announced the full line-up for its annual Summer Series festival, scheduled to take place from 10^th to 20^th July 2025 in its iconic courtyard in central London. Returning for its 25^th anniversary, the event will feature 11 nights of live performances from a diverse roster of international artists, including Rizzle Kicks, St Vincent, Giggs with special guests, Akinola Davies Jr, Jacob Banks, Freya Ridings, Joy Oladokun, The Paper Kites, The Snuts, Parov Stelar and FLO. 

The Somerset House Summer Series has become a staple in London’s cultural calendar since its inception in 2000, known for spotlighting a broad array of international talent and musical genres. To mark Somerset House’s milestone 25^th year as a hub for the arts, this edition will feature several one-off performances and unique commissions.

Headliners across the programme reflect a blend of established and emerging talent. Rizzle Kicks will open proceedings on 10^th July following their 2024 comeback, performing material from their latest album. Freya Ridings, known for her hit single Lost Without You, will appear on 11^th July, followed by soulful British-Nigerian singer-songwriter Jacob Banks on 12^th July. Electronic swing pioneer Parov Stelar is scheduled for 13^th July.

A notable addition is a multidisciplinary commission on 14^th July: rituals: union black, a film premiere from BAFTA-nominated filmmaker and Somerset House Studios resident Akinola Davies Jr, accompanied by a live score performed by contemporary musicians. Davies Jr said the work “documents the everyday rituals that underscore rhythms of Black life in the UK, paying tribute to the collective resonances of Black British communities”.

The line-up continues with Joy Oladokun (15^th July), six-time Grammy award winner St Vincent (16^th July) who will deliver her only London date this summer, Scottish indie band The Snuts (17^th July), Australia’s The Paper Kites (18^th July) and R&B group FLO (19^th July). The festival will close on 20^th July with a headline show from Giggs, with guest appearances from Potter Payper, P-Money and Tiny Boost. Tickets for individual nights are priced between £27.50 and £55.00. 

Somerset House, situated in central London, has hosted previous headline acts such as Amy Winehouse, Adele, Patti Smith, The Roots, and Rosalía. As well as the Summer Series, it maintains a year-round programme of music, exhibitions and installations, with a stated commitment to cross-disciplinary innovation. The 2025 festival’s headline acts were, according to organisers, chosen “in honour of their pioneering, cross-disciplinary cultural work” as part of Somerset House’s ongoing birthday celebrations.

The editorial unit
Photo: Courtesy of Somerset House

For further information and future events, visit Somerset House’s website here.