One of the undisputed highlights of the UK’s festival season, Somerset House Summer Series with American Express returns to London from 5 to 15 July 2018. As ever, the Summer Series offers music fans the chance to see both internationally renowned and critically lauded up and coming artists playing in one of the capital’s most remarkable locations – the courtyard of Somerset House.
The bill for the eleven-night festival reflects Somerset House’s commitment to showcasing diverse and dazzling world-class talent, both home-grown and ‘just visiting’ with an incredible line-up that includes acts from the UK, the US, Australia and Norway.
In the 70th anniversary year of the arrival of the SS Empire Windrush, this year’s Summer Series celebrates the influence that music of black origin has had on this country’s culture with massive opening weekend parties thrown by two British DJ legends. David Rodigan joins forces with The Outlook Orchestra to present a stellar line up of special guests for a night of reggae through the years, whilst Don Letts brings the very best in British bass culture from carnival to grime, including DJ sets to get down to and live performances from the likes of Wiley.
The following week salutes the sound of the US scene as two of hip hop’s pioneering acts – The Roots and De La Soul – hit the stage for exclusive London performances.
As ever, the Summer Series continues to champion new and emerging voices with award-winning artists too, as Jorja Smith and Sigrid join the bill to show the capital why the Brits and the BBC tipped them for greatness this year.
In addition to the live music line up, Somerset House will play host to The Influence Project – a new photographic exhibition that digs deep into the roots and influence of modern R&B, Funk, Soul and Afrobeat.
The opening night of the Somerset House Summer Series (Thursday 5) sees Metronomy – one of the greatest British bands of the last ten years – play a career spanning set of leftfield pop and wrong-footing dance music. The following night sees Australia’s festival favourites Flight Facilities with their gorgeous run of irresistible hits that takes in ’70s soul, ’90s house and noughties electronica (Friday 6).
On Saturday 7, filmmaker, DJ and broadcaster Don Letts presents Bass Forward – a night celebrating the very best in British bass culture from carnival to grime. Joining Don on the decks will be Norman Jay MBE and Jazzie B; very special live performances come from Congo Natty and the Godfather of Grime himself, Wiley.
The legendary David Rodigan returns to Somerset House following a storming support set to Damian Marley last year, with a live show featuring The Outlook Orchestra and some very special guests (Sunday 8).
Hot on the heels of their massively acclaimed fourth album Little Dark Age, MGMT bring their inimitable mix of psychedelia and knock-out pop hooks to London on Monday 9, while the following night sees Laura Pergolizzi aka LP – play songs from her swaggering, effortless, widely lauded debut Lost on You.
Norwegian singer/songwriter, winner of the BBC Sound of 2018 and (according to the Guardian) “the new Lorde” – Sigrid plays her only London festival date this year on Wednesday 11 July.
The following night, Grammy winners and Philadelphia’s finest, The Roots, join the Series for an exclusive performance that embodies the spirit of hip-hop, soul and funk and will no doubt be one of the Series’ highlights.
Praised by Stormzy and Skrillex and sharing vocals on a track with Drake, Jorja Smith has quickly become the UK R&B’s brightest star. Recently winning the acclaimed Brits Choice Award in 2018, she joins the bill to perform songs from her hugely anticipated forthcoming debut album on Friday 13. Thirty years into an unstoppable career, De La Soul continue to inspire with their kaleidoscopic blend of samples and unique mic skills (Saturday 14).
Ireland’s queen of the avant-garde and Mercury Music Prize nominee, Róisín Murphy, will close this year’s Summer Series with her fearlessly original and enthralling music (Sunday 15).
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.
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 feee)
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: Temple, Embankment 
Charing Cross, Waterloo
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 £38.25 (includes £3.75 booking fee)
Fri 6 Jul Flight Facilities £31.25 (includes £3.75 booking fee)
Sat 7 Jul Don Letts presents Bass Forward £31.25 (includes £3.75 booking fee)
Sun 8 Jul David Rodigan & The Outlook Orchestra (live) £33.75 (includes £3.75 booking fee)
Mon 9 Jul MGMT £33.25 (includes £3.75 booking fee)
Tue 10 Jul LP £33.25 (includes £3.75 booking fee)
Wed 11 Jul Sigrid £31.25 (includes £3.75 booking fee)
Thu 12 Jul The Roots £48.75 (includes £3.75 booking fee)
Fri 13 Jul Jorja Smith £31.25 (includes £3.75 booking fee)
Sat 14 Jul De La Soul £48.75 (includes £3.75 booking fee)
Sun 15 Jul Róisín Murphy £33.25 (includes £3.75 booking fee)
For the ninth year running, the American Express partnership with Somerset House Summer Series provides Cardmembers with access to presale tickets to all shows. This is just one example of the enriched experiences available to Cardmembers at some of the UK’s most sought after entertainment events
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, The xx, Tom Odell, Underworld and Warpaint.
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.
The American Express Cardmember presale will open at 10am on Tuesday 20 March from www.somersethouse.org.uk. 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
Charing Cross, Waterloo