London’s music scene is truly world class. With legendary venues and a host of musical giants lined up for the coming months, the city promises a spectacular show for every taste. Read on for the most noteworthy performances coming up in London this year, from Andre Rieu and Lang Lang to Celine Dion and Frankie Valli.
Royal Albert Hall
This historic, grade I listed South Kensington concert hall is one of London’s most treasured buildings. Its reputation for hosting the most illustrious concerts and events is preserved this year with a formidable array of orchestral and pop performances.
- Love Classical Festival:
- London Contemporary Orchestra, 4th March
- Lang Lang, 13th and 15th March
- Mike & The Mechanics, 26th March
- The Who, 1st April
- Pet Shop Boys, 2nd April
- The Music of Bond (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra), 11th April
- The Gipsy Kings, 17th April
- The Beach Boys, 18th-19th May
- Eric Clapton, 22nd-25th May
- Phil Collins, 4th-9th June
- Tchaikovsky Gala (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra), 20th June
- Jackson Browne, 24th–25th June
- Yann Tiersen, 30th October
Though details and specific dates have not yet been released, it would be remiss to mention the Royal Albert Hall without also discussing the annual Proms concerts. While the Last Night of the Proms is the must see event at the Royal Albert Hall, the Proms in the Park is a fantastic open-air alternative held on the same day. Set in Hyde Park, it combines phenomenal performances with a beautiful outdoor setting. Make sure to check the programme when it’s announced on 20th April.
Barbican
Just north of the City of London sits the Barbican, Europe’s largest multi-arts venue and home to both the London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Expect superlative classical and contemporary shows (with crystal-clear acoustics) from local and visiting orchestras and performers alike.
- BBC Symphony Orchestra/Oramo, 3rd March
- Gilbert O’Sullivan, 5th March
- Joshua Bell in Recital, 28th March
- New York Philharmonic/Mahler 4, 31st March
- KT Tunstall, 22nd May
- London Symphony Orchestra /Sir Simon Rattle with Lang Lang, 11th-12th July
O2 Arena
Everything about the O2 Arena is on an immense scale – it’s only natural that the world’s busiest music arena and the world’s largest building by floor space is also host to some of the biggest names in music. In 2017, expect knockout shows from the following:
- Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons, 23rd April
- Celine Dion, 20th-21st June; 29th-30th July
- Neil Diamond, 17th-19th October
- Michael Ball & Alfie Boe: Together Again, 14th December
Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club
The list of those who’ve graced the stage at Ronnie Scott’s since its 1959 opening reads like a who’s who of jazz: Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker and Sarah Vaughan to name a few. London’s premier jazz venue, the Soho basement club continues to attract a steady stream of talent. Its main shows frequently sell out, so book early if you’re planning a trip.
- John Mayall, 4th April
- Patti Austin, 13th-14th May
- The Buddy Rich Big Band, 22nd-27th May
The SSE Arena, Wembley
Not to be confused with Wembley Stadium, the SSE (formerly Wembley Arena) is an icon in its own right and a bastion of London’s live music scene. This year the north-west London venue boasts some highly-celebrated performers – between them, Hans Zimmer and Bob Dylan have 17 Grammy awards, two Academy Awards and the Nobel Prize for Literature.
- Andre Rieu, 6th-7th March
- Bob Dylan and his Band, 9th May
- Hans Zimmer, 15th June
