The Old Royal Naval College is set to host a brand new music festival this summer – with a line up fit to rival that of London’s ultimate summer festival, British Summer Time Hyde Park.
Greenwich Summer Sounds runs for five nights from July 4 – 8, promising headline performances from Nile Rodgers & Chic, Sir Tom Jones, Black Eyed Peas and Kaiser Chiefs, with further acts still to be announced.
In the grounds of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, surrounded by 500 years of history, audiences can watch these movers and shakers of the music industry, whose influence spans decades as well as multiple genres.
Here’s a bit of background on the headline acts…
Tuesday July 4: Nile Rodgers & Chic
‘I Was Made For Lovin’ You’, ‘Le Freak’, ‘Good times’… everybody has a favourite song (or 10) by Nile Rogers and Chic.
The proprietor of disco, funk and soul, whose career spans 50 years, he has collaborated with many of the biggest artists of past and present: from Sister Sledge, Diana Ross and David Bowie to Daft Punk, Madonna and Lady Gaga.
He’s a festival regular too, playing the likes of Glastonbury and BST Hyde Park in the past.
This is your chance to boogie along to his rhythm and beats live – and on your home turf.
Thursday July 6: Tom Jones
Headlining on Thursday is a musical legend who needs no introduction.
Welsh superstar Tom Jones began his career with a string of top 10 hits in the 1960s and since then, has sold over 100 million records. Now in his early 80s, he’s showing no sign of slowing down – performing live this summer here and elsewhere as well as judging on long-running talent contest The Voice.
At Greenwich Summer Sounds, he’ll be performing golden oldies including ‘It’s Not Unusual’, ‘Sex Bomb’ and ‘What’s New Pussycat’, as well as a roll call of tomorrow’s favourites, recorded on his latest album Surrounded by Time.
Friday July 7: Black Eyed Peas
Reminding us where the love is as well as telling us to Shut Up while they Get It Started and phunk with our hearts (enough already!) are American hip-hop heroes the Black Eyed Peas.
They shot to fame in the early 00s with their third album Elephunk, and since then, band members Fergie and will.i.am (another judge on The Voice!) have also enjoyed successful solo careers.
Fergie left the band in 2016, but Los Angeles trio will.i.am, Apl.de.Ap and Taboo are still tight-knit, bringing their Grammy-winning music to the quaint pastures of Greenwich.
The group has built a reputation for constantly reinventing themselves to stay relevant in a shifting musical landscape.
As well performing the hits that made them famous around the world, the group will likely be playing tracks from their ninth studio album Translation, which features collaborations with Shakira and David Guetta.
Saturday July 8: Kaiser Chiefs
I Predict A Riot, because Leeds-bred indie rockers the Kaiser Chiefs are in town, taking us back to the best nights of the noughties with hit singles including ‘Ruby’ and ‘Every Day I Love You Less and Less’.
Sweep that fringe over to the side and get practicing your air guitar!
More than just a concert:
Greenwich Summer Sounds is promising a banquet dining experience (we’re sensing Wilderness Festival vibes!) for which chefs are yet to be announced.
For those who prefer to eat their festival food on the hoof, there will also be street food vendors, and of course, plenty of bars.
Glitter, bum bags and pints of cider at the ready!
Greenwich Summer Sounds, Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, London SE10 9NN.
July 4 – 8, 9pm.
Admission: £60.50+.
