Channel is Somerset House’s new curated online space for art, ideas and the artistic process.
2019 DATES AND FESTIVAL HEADLINERS ANNOUNCED
THURSDAY 11 JULY THE INTERNET
FRIDAY 12 JULY NAO
SATURDAY 13 JULY SONS OF KEMET
SUNDAY 14 JULY JACOB BANKS
MONDAY 15 JULY ROSALÍA
TUESDAY 16 JULY DOVES
WEDNESDAY 17 JULY THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE QUEEN
THURSDAY 18 JULY PARCELS
FRIDAY 19 JULY CUT COPY
SATURDAY 20 JULY SOULECTION
SUNDAY 21 JULY GOSSIP
Somerset House Summer Series with American Express returns to the capital in July 2019 promising an unforgettable experience with eleven nights of gigs. Each night, the magnificent Somerset House courtyard is transformed into the ultimate open-air destination, bringing a vibrant festival atmosphere right to the heart of London.
Renowned for collaborating with groundbreaking musicians such as Björk, Gaika and PJ Harvey on innovative events, Somerset House continues to champion trailblazing acts with another stand-out line-up for this year’s Summer Series. For 2019, a carefully curated selection of artists from across the globe will take to the stage performing a broad range of genres, from avant-jazz and boundary-pushing electronic R&B to retro-pop and futuristic flamenco. Summer Series offers music fans the rare chance to see these critically acclaimed acts in a beautifully intimate setting for a live music experience unlike any other.
This year’s Somerset House Summer Series launches with the intoxicating sounds of The Internet (Thursday 11), the Grammy-nominated five-piece who bring neo-soul music to London, closing their huge world tour. The weekend kicks off with a night of lusciously leftfield soul-pop from East London’s MOBO and Brit Award-nominee, Nao (Friday 12), followed by British outfit Sons of Kemet (Saturday 13) who, fresh from their Mercury Prize-shortlisted album release, bring irresistible polyrhythms and restless melodies infused with political fervour to the courtyard crowd. British R&B singer/songwriter Jacob Banks returns to Somerset House as a headline act, six years on from his 2013 support performance, with a soulful and mesmerising Sunday session to set people up for the week ahead.
The following week opens with BBC Sound of 2019 nominee, Rosalía, who has gained global attention with her distinctive fusion of flamenco, pop and R&B. Recently heralded as The Guardian’s ‘One to Watch’ with her game-changing Latin pop, the Spanish star joins the line-up for her biggest UK show to date. Further unmissable performances come from legendary trio Doves, who return to the capital for a summer festival exclusive (Tuesday 16), whilst modernist supergroup The Good, the Bad and the Queen, from the formidable talents Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz), Paul Simonon (The Clash), Simon Tong (The Verve) and renowned drummer, Tony Allen, headline the midweek bill (Wednesday 17).
As the weekend approaches, Australian artists dominate the stage with the retro-pop, Berlin-based Parcels, who have collaborated with musicians such as Daft Punk, sharing hits from their debut album (Thursday 18) whilst Melbourne’s Cut Copy bring their acclaimed mix of effervescent new wave and synth-pop to the city for a London festival exclusive (Friday 19). In a special extended set, LA collective Soulection bring West Coast vibes to the Somerset House courtyard where guests can soak up the summer sun from afternoon to night with DJ sets from Sango, Joe Kay, Andre Power and Shaka Lion plus live performances from Xavier Omar, Tay Iwar and Zilo (Saturday 20).
This year’s Summer Series ends with the ultimate closing night party from Gossip. With their signature garage punk sound, the band reunite for an unforgettable and dynamic set (Sunday 21).
Summer Series forms part of Somerset House’s summer programme celebrating the rich contribution of different cultures to Britain. Visitors who purchase tickets for Summer Series can enjoy an exclusive discount for Get Up, Stand Up Now, a major new exhibition which celebrates 50 years of Black creativity in Britain and beyond, spanning art, film, photography, music, literature, design and fashion. A free photography exhibition, Kaleidoscope, is also open throughout the summer, exploring identity and immigration in modern Britain.
This is the tenth year of the American Express partnership with Somerset House Summer Series. Each year, Cardmembers have been provided with access to ticket presales to all shows. This is just one example of the enriched experiences available to American Express Cardmembers at some of the UK’s most sought-after entertainment events.
Produced in partnership with Metropolis Music.
FOR PRESS ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT: press@somersethouse.org.uk/0207 845 4624
NOTES TO EDITORS
Dates: 11 - 21 July 2019
Opening Hours: Door times vary, please check the website for details. Please note, doors will open early at 16.00 on Saturday 20 July for Soulection’s performance.
Address: Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
General Admission: from £31.25 (includes £3.75 booking fee)
GA Enhanced Tickets: from £56.25 (includes £3.75 booking fee)
The American Express Cardmember presale will open at 10am on Tuesday 19 March 2019 from somersethouse.org.uk and ticketmaster.co.uk/americanexpress
ADDITIONAL LISTINGS INFORMATION
Address: Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
Transport: Underground: Temple, Embankment / Rail: Charing Cross, Waterloo, Blackfriars
Website: www.somersethouse.org.uk
Somerset House Facebook: www.facebook.com/SomersetHouse
Somerset House Twitter: @SomersetHouse
Somerset House Instagram: @SomersetHouse
Hashtag: #SummerSeriesGigs
Prices (each including £3.75 booking fee):
Thu 11 July The Internet £41.25
Fri 12 July Nao £36.25
Sat 13 July Sons Of Kemet £31.25
Sun 14 July Jacob Banks £31.25
Mon 15 July Rosalía £33.75
Tue 16 July Doves £33.75
Wed 17 July The Good, The Bad And The Queen £48.75
Thu 18 July Parcels £31.25
Fri 19 July Cut Copy £31.25
Sat 20 July Soulection £36.25
Sun 21 July Gossip £41.25
ABOUT SOMERSET HOUSE SUMMER SERIES
Somerset House has established itself as one of London’s most consistently brilliant outdoor music festivals. Each year, the courtyard plays host to an array of must-see headliners and up and coming new talent. Previous years have featured: Adele, Basement Jaxx, Bastille, Blondie, Calvin Harris, De La Soul, Elbow, Florence & the Machine, Goldfrapp, Hot Chip, Jessie Ware, Justice, Metronomy, MGMT, Paloma Faith, PJ Harvey, Queens of the Stone Age, Róisín Murphy, Sam Smith, Sigur Ros, Sigrid, Songhoy Blues, The Roots, The xx, Tom Odell, Underworld and Warpaint.
ABOUT AMEX INVITES
American Express connects Cardmembers to the kinds of rewarding experiences and opportunities that matter to them and their businesses. Through Amex Invites, Cardmembers have access to pre-sale tickets, as well as the best seats and exclusive offers at some of the UK’s most sought-after entertainment events via partnerships with a range of entertainment institutions including AEG, Live Nation, Somerset House, The British Film Institute and The National Theatre. Amex Invites is just one example of the powerful backing that American Express provides its customers.
ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, in-sights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanex-press.com and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.
The American Express Cardmember presale will open at 10am on Tuesday 19 March 2019 from somersethouse.org.uk and ticketmaster.co.uk/americanexpress. For more detail on the enriched service American Express offers its Cardmembers, please visit www.amex.co.uk/potential or connect with AmericanExpressUK on Facebook or Twitter @AmexUK.
For Summer Series press enquiries:
Julie Bland, Managing Director at Family PR
juliebland@familypr.co.uk // 07902 207 000
For Somerset House press enquiries:
Frances Teehan, Senior Press Officer at Somerset House
press@somersethouse.org.uk // 0207 845 4624
For American Express press enquiries:
Lesley Sandford
Lesley.Sandford@mhpc.com // 0203 128 6339