The unparalleled festival experience in the heart of London, Somerset House Summer Series, returns this July with eleven nights of electrifying gigs. The series, which began in 2003 and celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, offers music fans the chance to experience a trailblazing line-up of breakthrough music artists and established acts from across the globe in the intimate and immersive setting of Somerset House’s spectacular courtyard. Over the past 20 years, Summer Series has continually celebrated a wide range of diverse and eclectic genres, providing a platform for some of the most influential artists in today’s industry, whilst supporting the breakthroughs of many others.
This year, superchic French rockers La Femme kick off the 20th-anniversary celebrations. The psych-punk band -formed in Biarritz by keyboard player Marlon Magnee and guitarist Sasha Got – shot to acclaim when they booked a US tour despite only having one EP. Tight and accomplished, La Femme open the series with a night of psychedelia, surf rock, electronica, and plenty of sass.
Brit Award nominees for Best International Group, LA-based trio Gabriels join the bill on Friday 7 July with their dazzling vision of spiritual soul-pop. Their single ‘Love and Hate in a Different Time’ scored them a huge fan base; with Elton John calling the work “one of the most seminal records I’ve heard in the past 10 years”. One of the hottest tickets on the live circuit, Gabriels are here to hypnotise with their spine-tingling soul, original jazz, classic R&B, all smoldering with the timeless gospel vocals of singer and choir director Jacob Lusk.
The opening weekend introduces Greentea Peng Born and raised in South East London, ‘Psychedelic R&B’ protagonist Greentea Peng deals in blissed out dub-flected neo-soul which speaks of renouncing ego and bringing down Babylon. Placed fourth in the 21 BBC’s ‘Sound Of’ list, and with a critically acclaimed 18-track debut album under her belt, this performance is set to send good vibrations throughout the crowd, weaving magic with her relaxed voice.
THURSDAY 6 JULY: LA FEMME
FRIDAY 7 JULY: GABRIELS
SATURDAY 8 JULY: GREENTEA PENG
SUNDAY 9 JULY: ALISON GOLDFRAPP
MONDAY 10 JULY: INTERPOL
TUESDAY 11 JULY: OLIVIA DEAN
WEDNESDAY 12 JULY: BEABADOOBEE
THURSDAY 13 JULY: TINARIWEN
FRIDAY 14 JULY: THE COMET IS COMING
SATURDAY 15 JULY: YOUNG FATHERS
SUNDAY 16 JULY: GABZY
General tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday 24 March via somersethouse.org.uk