Gigs in London this weekend

Somerset House Summer Series is back for another year. Held in the Edmond J. Safra Fountain court, in the enclave of the iconic Neoclassical building, this open-air series of gigs has long held space for both exciting up-and-comers and well-known trailblazers from the UK and beyond. When is Somerset House Summer Series 2025? Somerset House Summer Series with American Express is spread out over eleven nights, starting July 10 and ending with a final gig on July 20. How much are tickets? This year, ticket prices will range between £27.50 to £55.50, plus booking fee. Last year, there was the option to drop an additional £25 to get exclusive access to the Enhanced Bar, which came with a complimentary drink – this offer is yet to be confirmed for 2025.  Who’s on the lineup? Every year, the Summer Series plays host to an eclectic mix of legends and exciting current acts, and 2025 is no different. On the bill this year are influential British stars Rizzle Kicks and Giggs, heartfelt singer-songwriters Freya Ridings and Jacob Banks, electro-swing fusionist Parov Stelar, acclaimed folk artist Joy Oladokun, art-rock visionary St. Vincent, Scottish indie band The Snuts, rising R&B trio FLO and Melbourne indie-folk faves The Paper Kites. And just announced, supporting the big names will be Nell Mescal, Pxssy Palace, Gustaf, Peter Xan, Benjamin Francos Leftwich and more.  Already confirmed for 2025 is the premiere of BAFTA-nominated filmmaker and Somerset House Studios resident Akinola...

Wireless returns to Finsbury Park for 205 with a line-up of Drake, Drake and more Drake. No, we're serious. Join Champagne Papi for London's biggest hip-hop, R&B and grime festival as he headlines the long weekend with three different setlists to reflect the show's 20th anniversary. The line-up is very much TBC but it currently includes a few special guests (Drake's pals) and teases 'many more acts still to be announced'. From the look of things, the days have been grouped by vibe/genre, with Summer Walker and PARTYNEXTDOOR suggesting that Friday will lean into R&B and Sunday having slightly more of a reggae, dancehall and Afrobeats vibe with Burna Boy and Vybz Kartel. Saturday? Well, when Drake first announced 'The Mandem' we were all taking wild guesses. Turns out it's the return of Boy Better Know – who are making their first live appearance in eight years. Tickets are pretty much gone (it was the fastest-selling Wireless in history) but we'd recommend keeping an eye out in case of resells. 

Calling all jazz heads. A new community-led festival is launching in London this summer celebrating the free-form musical genre, taking over De Beauvoir, Islington and Hackney for two days this July. De Beauvoir Jazz Festival will spread over multiple venues, including The Scolt Head, St Peter’s Church and Hoxton hall, with performances from rising stars like Georgia Cecile, and established legends such as the internationally acclaimed clarinetist Adrian Cox. Tickets range from £17 to £88.60 for a day pass, plus on Sunday, July 12 there are a number of free performances and workshops, including dance, drumming and costume workshops, Kinetika Bloco and Grand Union Orchestra in De Beauvoir Square, and Irene Serra in the East and South East Asian Community Centre.  Line-up includes: Georgia Cecile, Adrian Cox, DJ Lil Koko, Ewan Bleach & The Fleeting Paradise Orchestra, Giacomo Smith.  

Put a bit of jazz pizazz into your Friday nights with this concert series, held in a new Battersea venue. World Heart Beat Gardens is an intimate 200-seater concert hall that's been built for optimal acoustics (and nope, it's not outdoors as the name might suggest). It's perfect for filling your ears with the sounds of some jazz greats, from 1920s classics from the Julian Joseph trio to new compositions by Henry Spencer to soulful sounds from Grammy Award-winning tenor sax giant Jean Toussaint.