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Somerset House Summer Series with American Express returns for its landmark twentieth year, bringing another raft of electrifying shows to the spectacular courtyard. One of London’s essential summer festivals, Summer Series brings a vibrant atmosphere to the heart of London with breakthrough music artists and established acts from across the globe taking to the stage for 11 nights every year.
Following the announcement of an incredible set of headline acts, Somerset House now reveals the trailblazing support acts joining headliners La Femme, Gabriels, Greentea Peng, Alison Goldfrapp, Interpol, Olivia Dean, beabadoobee, Tinariwen, The Comet is Coming, Young Fathers and Gabzy this year.
Opening the Series on Thursday 6 July, La Femme are joined by techno pop-princess and long-time collaborator Sam Quealy. A lover of the 80s and 90s, the Paris-based songwriter mixes the past and future to create her own present, with a mesmerising stage presence and a magnetic aura that is almost otherworldly. Guests to this evening can expect a heady mix of techno pop sound, fast-paced nostalgic beats and bold lyrics.
Opening for Gabriels on Friday 7 July are oreglo. The London based four-piece collective - made up of C-Sé, Linus Barry, Nico Saggese and Teigan Hastings - began its journey in celebrated organisations Tomorrow’s Warriors and Kinetika Bloco, and have since played stages at Southbank Centre, The Jazz Café and won the Cross The Tracks Emerging Artist slot this year. Bringing together their shared interest in the fusion of jazz, rock and reggae, oreglo are guaranteed to get the crowd moving with a high energy show.
Neo-soul and psychedelic R&B singer and songwriter Greentea Peng is supported by a host of unique up-and-coming artists on Saturday 8 July, all of whom weave disparate, beautiful styles that flatter her own. South London producer and DJ Maxwell Owin collaborates with lyricist Phoebs to explore the space between soul and grime. R&B songwriter and club kid George Riley brings her fusion styles - fans first heard Riley on Manchester DJ Anz’s 2021 track You Could Be, their ears pricked by her strong R&B vocals and ear-pleasing runs. The final guest to join the night, West London DJ and producer P-Rallel, broke out with his collaboration with Greentea Peng and has since sold out his own parties at Fabric, Earth & Village Underground, played the likes of Glastonbury, The Warehouse Project & Printworks, and been nominated for Guap Gala DJ of the year. The crowd for this evening can expect to be amazed.
The magnetic songwriter, vocalist and producer Alison Goldfrapp will be joined by Hannah Holland on Sunday 9 July. Hannah Holland is a global DJ and producer who gained her experience on London’s emerging queer and alternative club scene in the mid-noughties. She played a pivotal role in the scene, becoming a resident of the iconic Trailer Trash parties and even establishing her own label, party and genre: Batty Bass. A unique musical character on the decks with diverse taste, she has gone on to play some of the best clubs and festivals on the planet.
Opening for Interpol’s sold out show on Monday 10 July are The Lounge Society. Hailing from West Yorkshire, the quartet, all of whom are still under the age of 21, performed enthralling sold out shows across the country before taking their first steps onto European festival stages following their debut EP Silk for the Starving. In the Summer of 2022, the group released their critically acclaimed debut Tired of Liberty; a stunning record which blends their own distinct breed of alt-rock, with the fervid buzz of adolescence; further cementing their stellar reputation as a band bound for great things.
The eclectic, straight-talking songwriter Olivia Dean is joined by indie duo Prima Queen on Tuesday 11 July; the all-female indie/alternative rock band fronted by song writing duo and best friends Louise Macphail (Bristol, UK) and Kristin McFadden (Chicago, USA). Shortly after releasing their debut single Milk Teeth, the band joined The Big Moon on a sold-out UK tour, and have since toured with the likes of Wet Leg, Billy Nomates and Pip Blom.
Joining beabadoobee is the beatmaker and DJ Mac Wetha. Wetha cut his teeth as resident producer for the fast-rising London collective NiNE8, carving out stand out tracks for crew members including Lava La Rue and Biig Piig, as well as artists including Aminé and Deb Never. His recent solo work as a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, beatmaker and DJ sees him stepping firmly into the spotlight, embracing his roots in rap whilst leaning into the influences of his youth - emo, indie and pop - to create a truly individual sound. Tipped by The FADER, Crack, Pigeons and Planes and BBC Radio 1, he supports fellow label artist beabadoobee on Wednesday 12 July for her sold out show.
Supporting Tinariwen on Thursday 13 July is Bedouin Burger. The brainchild of euphonious Syrian singer, composer and musician Lynn Adib and the seminal Lebanese producer Zeid Hamdan, Bedouin Burger seamlessly intersect Arabic folk with pioneering electronica to create intoxicating rhythms. Hot off the release of their latest EP BB, with a second EP on the way later this year and international tour in the works, Bedouin Burger are one to watch.
On Friday 14 July, The Comet is Coming will be supported by London punk-cosmiche outfit, Snapped Ankles. Their latest and fourth album - Forest of Your Problems has seen the wild men of the woods bring their ancient forest rhythms and high-wire, multi-media live act to ever bigger stages including BBC 6 Music Festival, a sold-out UK tour culminating in two nights at Village Underground and most recently a Roundhouse Show for last Halloween. As those who have witnessed the shamanic ritual of their live shows will attest, they are a truly unique, communal experience, with the group guaranteed to bring their feral energy and post-punk manoeuvres to Somerset House this summer. The Comet is Coming will also be joined by ground-breaking visual artist and filmmaker Daisy Dickinson. Together they’ll present a unique audio-visual collaboration inspired by the band’s latest album.
Young Fathers are joined by The Joy and Maeve. Fast becoming an international phenomenon, The Joy spread instant euphoria with a unique sound that transcends genre and continents alike. The five member South African group hail from Durban and make rich, melodic, uplifting music that has caught the attention of Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson and Sam Smith. Joining Young Fathers also on Saturday 15 July is Maeve. Maeve grew up surrounded by music and got her first guitar at the age of 14. She hasn't stopped song writing since then. Currently based in London, the artist produces her own music and describes her work as “an amalgamation of different genres coming together and battling each other”.
Closing the series on Sunday 16 July, rising R&B star Jordan Mackampa will be warming up the crowd for Gabzy. With a timeless vocal, catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics, Jordan has already gained support from Radio 1, Radio 1Xtra and sold-out multiple venues across the globe. Bringing his soulful voice to recent features with Che Lingo, Blackwave and Jords, Jordan is an exciting rising star, not to be missed.
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.
The forward-thinking curation of Summer Series line-ups over the last twenty years reflects Somerset House’s commitment to championing and nurturing exciting creative talent across its cultural programme, and its establishment as a revered space for live music experiences. Previous collaborators on exhibitions, installations and innovative events include Björk, PJ Harvey, Neneh Cherry, Gaika, Beatrice Dillon and Anna Meredith.
For more information, please contact:
Julie Bland - Juliebland@familypr.co.uk
For general Somerset House press enquiries, please contact:
press@somersethouse.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
Dates: 6 – 16 July 2023
Opening hours: Door times vary, please check the website for details.
General Admission: from £28.50
GA Enhanced Tickets: from £53.50
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 METROPOLIS MUSIC
National promoter Metropolis Music is committed to working with acts from their inception, helping to build their careers as touring artists in small concert venues through to stadiums. Metropolis Music is a part of Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) which is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Media & Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.
ABOUT AMERICAN EXPRESS
American Express connects Cardmembers to the kinds of rewarding experiences and opportunities that matter to them and their businesses. Through American Express® 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 entertainment institutions, including Somerset House, AEG, The British Film Institute and the National Theatre. American Express Experiences is just one example of the powerful backing that American Express provides its customers.