Somerset House Summer Series with American Express returns this July, featuring a line-up of electrifying shows in its spectacular courtyard. This essential London summer festival brings a vibrant atmosphere to the city's heart, showcasing breakthrough music artists and established acts from around the world for 11 nights each year.
Following the announcement of an impressive line-up of headliners, Somerset House now reveals the trailblazing support acts joining Pip Millett, Corinne Bailey Rae, Smino, The Amazons, Hania Rani, Big Moon, Cory Henry and Hak Baker.
On Thursday 11 July, disarming R&B rising star Pip Millett opens the Summer Series with support from hotly tipped South London soul star Nia Smith. The singer-songwriter started generating a buzz at age 14 via her breathtaking covers and song clips on TikTok (which have garnered millions of views), signing with Polydor as soon as she finished college. After a series of support shows (Tems and Mahalia among them) she sold out her first solo show at BeauBeaus in 2023. Citing Amy, Aretha and Lauryn as inspiration, her first proper release is a melodic and cinematic EP, ‘Give up the Fear’.
Joining Corinne Bailey Rae as support on Sunday 14 July, Ashaine White is a rising star in the UK music scene, already nominated for a 2022 Ivors Academy Rising Star Award and one to watch. Ashaine has quickly become a sought-after artist, receiving support from some of the top radio stations in the country (BBC Radio 1 Xtra, BBC Introducing London, BBC Radio 6, Soho Radio, Reprezent Radio, and Voices Radio). Her highly anticipated third project, ‘Cause for Concern’ is released this summer and joins the rest of her catalogue, highlighted by Bandcamp’s New and Notable, Spotify’s Fresh Finds and Soundclound’s Fresh Pressed.
Dawn Richard joins the bill as support to Smino on Monday 15 July, bringing her own inimitable style and sound to the Series. Treating Louisiana Creole culture, New Orleans bounce, and Southern Swag as elemental, Dawn weaves in and out of house, footwork, R&B, and more. As a founding member of Danity Kane Dawn had a successful career as a pop musician, but as solo artist, opted to self-release her music, exploring her own winding, unpredictable, and layered sound. Over the span of several critically acclaimed full-length albums, she has made the message clear that she will not bow down or bend to industry norms.
On Tuesday 16 July, high-octane festival favourites The Amazons are supported by YONAKA. The energetic trio consisting of Theresa Jarvis (vocals) Alex Crosby (bass) and George Werbrouck-Edwards (guitar) mix rock, alternative, trip hop and soaring melodies. This Brighton group bring an incredible live show everywhere they go. Fresh from their UK/EU headline tour, YONAKA have already started off their year strongly with the latest and deadliest release to date, ‘PREDATOR’.
Wednesday 17 July sees captivating and virtuosic Polish pianist Hania Rani supported by multi-disciplinary musician and producer Danalogue (aka Dan Leavers) - noted for his role as keyboardist in The Comet is Coming, and with drummer Max Hallett, aka Betamax, in the duo Soccer96’s explosive jazz‑electronica fusion. With the addition of formidable saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings, they became trio The Comet Is Coming, who broke through with Mercury prize‑nominated debut LP ‘Channel The Spirits’. Beyond his own projects, Danalogue’s production CV features Snapped Ankles, Ibibio Sound Machine, Lunch Money Life and Alabaster DePlume.
British indie-pop heroines Big Moon are supported by London-based trio Our Girl on Thursday 18 July. Fresh from signing to Bella Union, their new single ‘Relief’ speaks to the life-giving importance of Queer community. It’s the first taste from their upcoming second album, following their debut ‘Stranger Today’, an album of personal, emotional juggernauts that could have only been made by these three people: guitarist / vocalist Soph Nathan (also of The Big Moon), bassist Josh Tyler and drummer Lauren Wilson.
On Friday 19 July, fast-emerging Scottish composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist corto.alto supports the funk, gospel and soul aficionado Cory Henry. corto.alto has been described as a traditional jazz head raised in the age of the internet. The moniker of Glasgow-based Liam Shortall, corto.alto brings a fresh perspective to a heady mix of intuitive improvisation, electronic production, broken beat bounce and bass-heavy dub. Having cut his teeth playing trombone in Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and making beats in his bedroom, debut album ‘Bad With Names’ out in October 2024, brings together some of the UK’s finest young players, including Mercury prize-nominated pianist Fergus McCreadie, trumpet player James Copus, trombonist Anoushka Nanguy and drummer Graham Costello.
Saturday 20 July sees East-London grime troubadour Hak Baker supported by East London songstress Bel Cobain as well as Heartless Crew back to back with platinum selling producer & DJ Toddla T. Named so because their hearts are rooted firmly in the music, the Heartless Crew were established in 1992. Inspired by Jamaica’s sound system culture, their sound is an eclectic fusion of uplifting and energetic vibes: UK garage, bashment, DnB and their own unique Heartless style, ‘Crisp Biscuit’. Toddla’s uniquely British sound draws inspiration from reggae and dancehall, Sheffield's electronic scene and beyond. His recent hits include all Platinum certified ‘Ain’t It Different’, ‘Strike A Pose’, ‘Boasty’ and 'Ay Caramba'. Toddla also wrote and produced on Stormzy’s number one album 'Heavy Is The Head’, and KSI’s gold certified album 'All Over The Place’. Meanwhile, Bel Cobain is surrounded by an air of mystique and has an undeniably timeless sound. Expansive, jazz-infused R&B has become her trademark ever since her first 2019 release ‘Introverted Stoner’. Bel fuses jazz, Latin and Afrobeat to create a jovial yet passionate foundation for her bold and poignant lyricism.
Since its incarnation, Somerset House Summer Series with American Express has been instrumental in providing a platform for some of the most influential artists in today’s industry, whilst supporting the breakthroughs of many others. This year’s support acts follow in the footsteps of a long roll call of established names including Kojey Radical, Little Simz, Jess Glynne, alt-J, and Wolf Alice, all of whom have opened shows in the spectacular setting of the Somerset House courtyard in recent years.
Additional activations
American Express Unsigned will be hosting a free live music event on the Strand Aldwych, at the entrance to Somerset House, at 1pm on Wednesday 17 July, featuring Unsigned artists Kianja, Ben Kidson , Megzz and Riya Gahder. Amex Unsigned is an initiative launched by American Express to support the grassroots music industry, helping to create breakthrough opportunity for emerging artists and celebrate music of every genre. It is a platform for unsigned artists to get their music heard and to spotlight the importance of live music venues that are essential to musicians' development.
Food and drink
Icons of the street food scene, KERB, will be bringing some of its star street food traders to the courtyard for the duration of Summer Series. Traders include Kolkati, who will serve flaky paratha flatbread rolls containing masala chicken or paneer and topped with signature sauces including coconut coriander raita and tamarind date ketchup.
Pre or post gig, ticket holders can also visit the Somerset House Terrace Bar with San Miguel. A brand-new tapas menu, curated by Spanish-English chef and Pop Up extraordinaire Jimmy Garcia, features at this riverside spot, best enjoyed alongside a selection of ice-cold San Miguels and a refreshing range of mixologist-crafted cocktails. Also on offer, a limited number of Enhanced tickets are available for an additional £25 which give holders access to the exclusive Enhanced Bar located next to the live music in the courtyard, supported by San Miguel.
NOTES TO EDITORS
For more information, please contact: Julie Bland at Family PR / juliebland@familypr.co.uk
For general Somerset House press enquiries, please contact: Somerset House Press Office / press@somersethouse.org.uk
www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/somerset-house-summer-series
Dates: 11 – 21 July 2024
Opening hours: Door times vary, please check the website for details.
General Admission: from £37.50 including booking fee
Enhanced Bar upgrade: £25
About Somerset House
Step Inside, Think Outside
As the home of cultural innovators, Somerset House is a site of origination, with a cultural programme offering alternative perspectives on the biggest issues of our time. We are a place of joy and discovery, where everyone is invited to Step Inside and Think Outside.
From our historic site in the heart of London, we work globally across art, creativity, business, and non-profit, nurturing new talent, methods and technologies. Our resident community of creative enterprises, arts organisations, artists and makers, makes us a centre of ideas, with most of our programme home-grown.
We sit at the meeting point of artistic and social innovation, bringing worlds and minds together to create surprising and often magical results. Our spirit of constant curiosity and counter perspective is integral to our history and key to our future.
About American Express® Experiences:
To find out more about American Express Unsigned visit americanexpress.com/en-gb/unsigned
Through Amex® Experiences, Cardmembers have access to presale 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 institutions, including AELTC, AEG, Somerset House, The British Film Institute and the National Theatre. Amex Experiences is just one example of the powerful backing that American Express provides its Cardmembers.
About American Express:
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on social media @AmericanExpress.
About Live Nation Entertainment
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.
About Metropolis Music
Metropolis Music, founded in 1985, is one of the UK’s leading concert promoters & since 2017 has been part of Live Nation Entertainment.
About KERB
KERB is a hospitality organisation founded in 2012, focused on delivering impact, opportunity and joy through great food. To this day, they remain at the heart of London's street food and independent food scene. Starting out as a pop-up markets and membership organisation, they have evolved to operate iconic food halls internationally, offer event catering services empowering independently run businesses to serve at some of the most recognisable venues, and run a social enterprise focused on business incubation, mentorship and strengthening pathways into the hospitality industry. Visit www.kerbfood.com