Somerset House announces 2026 Summer Series line-up with The Flaming Lips, Black Country, New Road and more

Somerset House has announced the line-up for its 2026 Summer Series with American Express, an eleven-night music festival running from 16 to 26 July 2026 in the open-air courtyard of the central London arts venue. The programme features headline performances from The Flaming Lips, Black Country, New Road, The Cribs, Agnes Obel, Lightning Seeds, Palace, Benjamin Clementine, Thee Sacred Souls, Venna, Naïka and Raf-Saperra, with one artist taking the stage each evening.

Running since 2003, the Summer Series is Somerset House’s flagship live music programme. Previous editions have hosted performances from artists including Rosalía, Adele, Patti Smith, Amy Winehouse, Olivia Dean, black midi, Jorja Smith, St. Vincent, Tems, Giggs and beabadoobee.

The 2026 schedule opens on Thursday 16 July with Naïka, whose debut album ECLESIA was released recently. “I’m so excited to be back in London and to perform in such an intimate setting. London has always shown me so much love, I can’t wait to share this moment with everyone,” she said.

London-based band Palace will perform on 17 July, followed by California soul group Thee Sacred Souls on 18 July, who released their second album Got A Story To Tell through Daptone Records in 2024. Lightning Seeds, fronted by Ian Broudie, will play on 19 July. “We are very excited to headline one of London’s grandest and most iconic venues. It’s going to be a very special day and we can’t wait,” Broudie said.

Wakefield indie band The Cribs perform on 20 July, following the release of their latest album Selling A Vibe, the highest-charting record of their career. Danish musician Agnes Obel takes the stage on 21 July, while Black Country, New Road appear on 22 July following their 2025 album Forever Howlong.

“We are very excited to be playing at Somerset House. It is one of London’s most beautiful and prestigious courtyard venues. Some of us have very fond memories of a summer’s evening some years ago seeing our friends performing on the same stage. The sun was going down over the Thames and it was very loud. We hope to recapture some of the same magic we felt that evening,” the band said in a statement.

Grammy-winning saxophonist Venna performs on 23 July, supporting his debut album MALIK, released at the end of 2025. Punjabi artist Raf-Saperra follows on 24 July, with American experimental band The Flaming Lips on 25 July. The series closes on 26 July with Mercury Prize-winning musician Benjamin Clementine, one of the few artists to be invited back to headline the series, performing material from his most recent album Sir Introvert and the Featherweights.

Matthew Cook, Head of Live Events at Somerset House, said: “We’re delighted to unveil the curated headliners for this year’s Somerset House Summer Series. Featuring artists spanning a variety of genres and generations, this year’s edition promises to deliver spectacular performances, in the unique setting of the Somerset House open-air courtyard.”

He added: “From creative trailblazers who have led the way for bold new genres, innovators whose impact can be felt across a vast array of musicians today, distinctly individual talents who continue to surprise, and future greats carving out their own path – Somerset House Summer Series once again stands as a testament to the power of the Arts. We can’t wait to welcome artists and fans to our home this summer.”

The festival runs alongside Somerset House’s wider summer programme, which will include HOLY POP!, an exhibition examining fan culture and the idolisation of pop figures such as David Bowie, Britney Spears, Aaliyah, Prince and George Michael.

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Tickets will be priced between £30 and £60. An American Express Cardmember presale opens at 10am on Tuesday 3 March 2026, followed by a Somerset House subscriber presale at 10am on Thursday 5 March. General sale begins at 10am on Friday 6 March via the Somerset House website.