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2018 SUPPORT ACTS ANNOUNCED
THU 5 JUL METRONOMY + KOJEY RADICAL - SOLD OUT
FRI 6 JUL FLIGHT FACILITIES + BONDAX - SOLD OUT
SAT 7 JUL DON LETTS PRESENTS BASS FORWARD + NORMAN JAY, JAZZIE B, CONGO NATTY & WILEY
SUN 8 JUL DAVID RODIGAN & THE OUTLOOK ORCHESTRA (LIVE) + HOLLIE COOK - SOLD OUT
MON 9 JUL MGMT + COLA BOYY - SOLD OUT
TUE 10 JUL LP + KOLARS
WED 11 JUL SIGRID + OLI FOX - SOLD OUT
THU 12 JUL THE ROOTS + LITTLE SIMZ - SOLD OUT
FRI 13 JUL JORJA SMITH + EZRA COLLECTIVE - SOLD OUT
SAT 14 JUL DE LA SOUL + DJ PREMIER - SOLD OUT
SUN 15 JUL ROISIN MURPHY + INTERNATIONAL TEACHERS OF POP
Tickets from £31.25 available online at www.somersethouse.org.uk
Somerset House Summer Series with American Express® returns from 5 - 15 July 2018, bringing fans a special line-up of headline and emerging artists in one of London’s must-see summer festivals.
Following the announcement of a truly incredible set of headline acts for 2018’s Somerset House Summer Series with American Express, London’s most unique festival has released details of the supporting artists who’ll complete this year’s line-up.
Since it first started, Somerset House Summer Series has been instrumental in introducing audiences to some of the hottest new acts and future stars. This year’s support acts follow in the footsteps of household names such as Jessie Ware, Jess Glynne, alt-J, Songhoy Blues, Mount Kimbie and Wolf Alice, all of whom have opened up shows in the Somerset House courtyard in the past. And, whether headlining or supporting, each of the acts on this year’s eleven-night festival bill helps reflect Somerset House’s commitment to showcasing diverse and dazzling talent from around the world.
The opening night of the Somerset House Summer Series (Thu 5) sees Metronomy – one of the greatest British bands of the last ten years – play a career-spanning set of leftfield pop with support from genre-shunning British rapper/spoken word artist Kojey Radical, who will also be featured in Somerset House’s new photography exhibition The Influence Project. The following night (Fri 6), Australian festival favourites Flight Facilities are joined by British electronic duo Bondax.
On Sat 7, filmmaker, DJ and broadcaster Don Letts presents Bass Forward – a night celebrating the influence that music of black origin has had on this country’s culture in the 70th anniversary year of the arrival of the SS Empire Windrush, bringing the very best in British bass culture from reggae to Grime. Don will be joined on the decks by Norman Jay MBE and Soul II Soul’s Jazzie B, with very special live performances from Congo Natty and the Godfather of Grime himself, Wiley (MBE). The following night sees London born and bred reggae star Hollie Cook join legendary DJ David Rodigan and the Outlook Orchestra.
On Mon 9, Californian deviant disco artist Cola Boyy opens up for MGMT and their inimitable mix of psychedelia and knock-out pop hooks, while the following night sees Laura Pergolizzi – aka LP – supported by Los Angeles based duo Kolars, who promise a mesmerizing set blending disco sounds with modern rock (Tue 10). Hotly tipped, digital soul singer Oli Cook joins Norwegian singer/songwriter and winner of the BBC Sound of 2018 Sigrid on her only London festival date (Wed 11) while the following night, Philadelphia’s finest The Roots will be supported by the multi-talented British artist and sometime Gorillaz collaborator Little Simz (Thu 12).
On Fri 13, the UK R&B’s brightest star Jorja Smith is joined by the London-based five-piece Ezra Collective, a band who are effortlessly “pioneering the new wave of UK jazz” (Boiler Room). Thirty years into an unstoppable career, De La Soul continue to inspire with their kaleidoscopic blend of samples and unique mic skills (Sat 14) and undisputed hip hop legend DJ Premier warms up to make this a truly unmissable party. Finally, on the closing night of the Summer Series (Sun 15), maverick Irish star Roisin Murphy will be joined by ‘nerd disco’ project, The International Teachers of Pop.
In addition to the live music line up, Somerset House will play host to The Influence Project – a new photographic exhibition that explores the roots and influence of modern R&B, Funk, Soul, Afrobeat and Hip Hop. This forms part of the East Wing Edit, a summer of free exhibitions, talks, pop-ups, events and workshops, delving deeper into the stories showcased in Somerset House’s season of music, film, independent print and contemporary circus performances, all taking place in Somerset House’s East Wing.
Also announced for this year’s festival is a tantalising summer menu from Bryn Williams. The acclaimed Welsh chef – whose eponymous restaurant has just opened in Somerset House – has created a festival friendly menu of mouth-watering modern classics designed to perfectly complement this year’s Summer Series. Each night, the menus will include fried buttermilk chicken, fish dogs, salted courgette and avocado hummus buns, and more.
Set on the river right at the heart of London, Somerset House’s reputation as one of London’s leading cultural destinations for must-see exhibitions and outdoor events has grown massively over the last twenty years. 2018’s Summer Series programme further establishes the venue’s reputation, offering visitors the unique chance to enjoy some of the most exciting music acts in the world in a truly unforgettable location.
The Influence Project
27 June - 22 August – Free – East Wing Galleries
The Influence Project features never-seen-before photographic portraits of pioneers of R&B, Funk, Soul, Afrobeat and Hip Hop.
Congolese, London-based photographer Alexis Chabala and producer Lorayne Crawford have captured the characters of both icons and contemporary artists, from George Clinton, Shuggie Otis, Sister Sledge and Candi Staton to Aloe Blacc, Laura Mvula, Hiatus Kaiyote and Robert Glasper all of whom have previously performed as part of Somerset House Summer Series, and The Roots who play this year.
The Influence Project will investigate the connections between these established and emerging pioneers, reaching across time to shape the sound that we hear today. Portraits will be accompanied by quotes and details from artists who have been influenced by them, highlighting the history and the significance of their music throughout the generations.
The show will also include a new film featuring artists talking candidly on camera about their inspirations and a unique soundtrack will fill the gallery floor.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Dates: 5 - 15 July 2018
Opening Hours: Door times vary, please check the website for details. Please note, doors will open early at 16.00 on Saturday 7 July for Don Letts’ 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 20 March from www.somersethouse.org.uk
Transport: 
Website: www.somersethouse.org.uk
Somerset House Facebook: www.facebook.com/SomersetHouse
Somerset House Twitter: @SomersetHouse
Somerset House Instagram: @SomersetHouse
Summer Series hashtag: #SummerSeriesGigs
Prices:
THU 5 JUL
METRONOMY + KOJEY RADICAL
(SOLD OUT)
FRI 6 JUL
FLIGHT FACILITIES + BONDAX
(SOLD OUT)
SAT 7 JUL
DON LETTS PRESENTS BASS FORWARD
(£31.25)
SUN 8 JUL
DAVID RODIGAN + HOLLIE COOK
(SOLD OUT)
MON 9 JUL
MGMT + COLA BOY
(SOLD OUT)
TUE 10 JUL
LP + KOLARS
(£33.25)
WED 11 JUL
SIGRID + OLI FOX
(SOLD OUT)
THU 12 JUL
THE ROOTS + LIL SIMZ
(SOLD OUT)
FRI 13 JUL
JORJA SMITH + EZRA COLLECTIVE
(SOLD OUT)
SAT 14 JUL
DE LA SOUL + DJ PREMIER
(SOLD OUT)
SUN 15 JUL
ROISIN MURPHY + INTERNATIONAL TEACHERS OF POP
(£33.25)
About Somerset House Summer Series
Somerset House has established itself as a much-loved destination for live music in London. For eleven nights in July, the courtyard stage hosts an array of headline artists and hotly tipped acts. Previous years have seen performances from Adele, Basement Jaxx, Bastille, Benjamin Clementine, Blondie, Calvin Harris, Courtney Barnett, Elbow, Ellie Goulding, Florence + The Machine, Goldfrapp, Hot Chip, Justice, Kelis, Laura Mvula, Lianne La Havas, Norah Jones, Paloma Faith, PJ Harvey, Queens of the Stone Age, Robert Plant, Sam Smith, Sigur Ros, Songhoy Blues, The Prodigy
About American Express Company
American Express Company is a diversified worldwide travel, financial and network services company founded in 1850. It is a leader in charge and credit cards, Travellers Cheques, travel and insurance products. Through American Express Invites, Cardmembers have access to enriched experiences at some of the UK’s most sought-after entertainment events, including best seats, exclusive offers and early-on-sale tickets. The company has multi-year partnerships with a range of entertainment institutions including AEG, Live Nation, Ticketmaster, Somerset House, The British Film Institute and National Theatre.
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 // 07767 784 640
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:
Mark Lewington
mark.lewington@mhpc.com // 020 3128 8569