Southbank Centre’s pioneering performance series Purcell Sessions announces a diverse multi-art Autumn programme, which champions artistic expression across music, performance, visual art, literature and spoken word, and features an exciting mix of creatively adventurous and diverse artists.
Mark Ball, Artistic Director at the Southbank Centre, says: “The Purcell Rooms is building its reputation as the home for innovative cross art-form collaboration and new works that push boundaries. This autumn we have a fantastic line-up of Purcell Sessions where audiences can experience truly unhindered creative expression. With the return of the London Contemporary Orchestra and performances from cellist Abel Selaocoe as well artists Kali Malone and Sote, we continue to underscore our support of international and local artists by providing a space for them to take risks, challenge artistic norms and build connections across artforms.”
For this new season of Purcell Sessions, the London Contemporary Orchestra and the Southbank Centre have curated a bold line-up celebrating musicians and voices from diverse backgrounds. The programme of events kick-starts with TEEBS, the American record producer and musician, who will bring his soulful hip-hop beats to the Purcell Room on Friday 16 September. On Sunday 16 October, This Heat’s Charles Hayward will deliver his moody, high-energy rhythms that denote the era of retro punk with elements of psychedelia and metallic noise. On Sunday 6 November, Sote, one of Iran’s most established musicians, will be showcasing his haunting fusion of electronics with classical Iranian melodies resulting in kaleidoscopic compositions. Finally, on Friday 25 November, Kenyan musician KMRU will deliver a series of powerful and ambient soundscapes in a staggering collaboration with the LCO that celebrates true experimentation.
In a brand new commission with the Southbank Centre, Yomi S?ode will present his debut poetry collection ‘Manorism’ adapted for the stage as part of Purcell Sessions this autumn. ‘Manorism’ explores family, survival, generational trauma and the complexities of belonging, in an examination of the lives of Black British men and boys. Written by Yomi S?ode, this performance is directed by Philip J Morris, produced by Natalie Fiawoo, music composed by Melo-Zed with dramatic composition by Myah Jeffers, movement by Kenrick Sandy and visuals by Darryl Daley.
Jay Bernard creates a new performance as part of Purcell Sessions. ‘Joint’ explores the contested law of joint enterprise – often used in racist and classist ways – which criminalises people based on their foresight of a crime, not whether they committed it. ‘Joint’ was brought to life in a short film launched at the National Poetry Library in 2021. This new performance expands on its themes and story.
A true breakout star of 2021 with her potent debut SHILOH: Lost for Words, John Glacier will perform at the Southbank Centre’s Purcell Room on Saturday 3 September. Also part of the Southbank Centre’s Summer: In The Black Fantastic programme, which explores art inspired by afrofuturism, myth-making and science fiction, her esoteric bars, enigmatic demeanour and expertly produced tracks will be a highlight of this season’s Purcell Sessions.
London-based singer, composer and cellist Lucinda Chua uses her voice to create ephemeral and hypnotic pop songs, creating a truly intimate and enchanting performance, creating and collaborating from the Purcell Room over three days. Chua will be offering discounts for her performances to the wider Asian community in London, so everyone can experience her works which are deeply rooted in her Chinese heritage. On Friday 2 December for two nights, American drone organist Kali Malone composes an immersive piece ‘Does Spring Hide Its Joy’, featuring musicians Lucy Railton and Stephen O’Malley. Producing rich harmonic textures, the music explores minimalist and repetitive rhythms creating a mesmerising sound.
Known for unearthing hidden talent, the independent and experimental record label, First Terrace Records is showcasing a breadth of inspirational musicians on the label’s fifth birthday including Peter Broderick, who will bring a new interpretation to The Beacon Sound Choir’s repertoire with the help of the choral group Musarc. The evening will see the premiere of a contemporary dance piece from Bianca Scout’s upcoming multimedia project The Mortal Instrument of Bones, produced with the Daughter Mary Ensemble. Poetry, projection, and sound design overlap and loop to create an electric backdrop to Scout’s dance performance. Finally, Specimens presents Power, Pain and Privilege, a specially commissioned audio-visual work made in collaboration with film-maker and photographer Lucie Rox, exploring both artists’ experiences as people of mixed ethnic background living in the UK.
Chesaba, Abel Selaocoe’s electrifying trio featuring Alan Keary and Sidiki Dembe?le? will deliver an inspirational evening on Saturday 5 November, where audiences will be treated to a night full of rhythms influenced by African, Jazz and Western Classical traditions. The trio uses an eclectic mix of instruments from the cello and double bass to the kora and n’goni. This is interwoven with soulful vocals in African dialects such as Bambara, Zulu, Sotho and Tswana. Meanwhile, the creative studio A?me presents their latest cinematic, soundscape ‘Fathom’ on Thursday 1 December. Viola player Lawrence Power and filmmaker Jessie Rodger join forces to create an immersive experience featuring specially commissioned music by Peter Gregson, Cassandra Miller, Thomas Larcher and others, as well as projections, 360-degree sound design and live performance. Blending together, these elements explore the moment when the weather-beaten land meets the approaching sea.
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
Further information: southbankcentre.co.uk
