Magazine
Artist on artist: Raymond Antrobus on the irreplaceable Benjamin Zephaniah
The multi-award-winning poet shares his personal lifelong connection with the hugely popular figure once dubbed ‘the people’s laureate’.
Shabaka: ‘If you don't follow the artistic path, you have nothing’
In an in-depth interview the musician and composer discusses Tomorrow’s Warriors, taking a saxophonic sabbatical and performing jazz with a small ‘j’.
5 things to know about Anish Kapoor
Ahead of his major exhibition at the Hayward Gallery, get a primer on one of the most influential artists of our time.
At length
Our headline long-read, going in-depth with leading names.
Roger McGough: ‘poetry was never something I set out to do, it just happened’
The much treasured poet discusses music, muses and the impact of The Mersey Sound in this in-depth interview.
Chiharu Shiota: ‘It’s when I’m in pain that I want to create most’
The acclaimed visual and performance artist talks to Marigold Warner about suffering, surviving and ‘pushing things to the limit’.
Love Ssega: ‘If you’ve an opportunity to do something you’ve got an interest in, go for it’
The musician and performance artist discusses Clean Bandit, chemical engineering and Cluedo with Martin Creed in this in-depth interview.
Alisa Weilerstein: ‘We’re taught that context is everything; why can’t we just skip that and listen?’
Cellist Alisa Weilerstein discusses her musical upbringing, expanding the repertoire and the ‘great equaliser’ of classical music out of context.
Conor Mitchell: ‘I tried to assimilate for years, but sex is a big part of life’
The composer and theatre-maker discusses agitprop, injustices and the inherent campness of the Catholic Church in an in-depth interview.
Olga Ravn: ‘I’m very mistrustful of writers who don’t read’
An in-depth interview with celebrated Danish writer Olga Ravn on her new book The Wax Child and how ‘all language holds a view of the world’.
Sean Shibe: ‘Maybe there is a bit of clownery to what I’m doing, but I’m totally serious about it‘
An in-depth interview with guitarist Sean Shibe who talks dedication, dignity, and weight of expectation as he becomes one of our Resident Artists.
Nubya Garcia: ‘Music has been with us from the beginning of time – we need to be within it’
An in-depth interview with musician Nubya Garcia who talks about perseverance, performing live and the importance of being present in music.
Raymond Antrobus: ‘I have zero interest in framing myself as some kind of victim’
An in-depth interview with poet Raymond Antrobus who talks about his life as ‘an investigator of missing sound’ and his memoir The Quiet Ear.
Soweto Kinch: ‘I’ve been reflecting on the meaning of the word apocalypse’
An in-depth interview with Soweto Kinch as the jazz saxophonist and rapper talks about the past, present, and the Soundtrack to the Apocalypse.
Artist on artist
Discover the inspirations behind your favourite artists.
Artist on artist: Leïla Slimani on the ‘influential’ Pedro Almodóvar
The internationally bestselling author shares her fandom for the film director she loves so much she ‘would worship even just a sock of his’.
Artist on artist: Theo Croker on the ‘cool’ and ‘consistent’ Miles Davis
The jazz trumpeter and composer shares his appreciation and love of the legendary jazz figure who would always ‘just go left’.
Artist on artist: Michelle de Kretser on the ‘pure joy’ of Shirley Hazzard
The award-winning author shares her admiration for a fellow Australian writer with ‘remarkable powers of observation’.
Artist on artist: Simon Armitage on the ‘exceptional’ yet ‘overlooked’ Bill Nelson
The Poet Laureate finally shares his appreciation and admiration for ‘maverick’ guitarist, musician and fellow Yorkshireman Bill Nelson.
Artist on artist: Liz Pichon on the 'joyous' Quentin Blake
The author and illustrator behind the hugely successful Tom Gates series shares her love for the ‘extraordinary artistry’ of Quentin Blake.
Artist on artist: Michael Barenboim on ‘the inspirational’ Pierre Boulez
The violinist and violist discusses his huge admiration for the avant-garde composer and ‘inspirational’ conductor.
Artist on artist: Vanessa Kisuule on the ‘complicated joy’ of Michael Jackson
Vanessa Kisuule – poet, writer and performer – explores the changing nature of her fandom of pop superstar Michael Jackson.
Artist on artist: Tim Etchells on the ‘delirious mania’ of Tommy Cooper
Tim Etchells, Artistic Director of experimental performance company Forced Entertainment, shares his admiration of comedian and magician Tommy Cooper.
Artist on artist: Torrey Peters on the ‘pure pleasure’ of Elif Batuman
The author of the award-winning Detransition, Baby shares her admiration for her fellow American writer, Elif Batuman.
How I create…
Get an insight into the creative practice of contemporary artists.
How I create… with musician Tara Lily
The British Bengali musician discusses finding motivation through collaboration and the value of an open mind.
How I create... with visual artist Yin Xiuzhen
The artist behind our current Hayward Gallery exhibition on ideas she can’t abandon, and the evolution of her creative process.
How I create… with choreographer Benoit Swan Pouffer
The Artistic Director of Rambert dance company gives a personal insight into his creative process.
How I create… with dance artist and performer Anna Seymour
Get an insight into the creative process of the Deaf performer who gets ‘so much joy from dancing so it doesn’t feel like hard work’
How I create… with poet Anthony Anaxagorou
From the need for music to thriving on feedback, get an understanding of how the award-winning poet crafts his lines.
How I create… with writer Ella McLeod
The YA author on exploring every idea, loving what she does and finding creative inspiration when she least intends to.
How I create... with composer Huang Ruo
The prolific and adaptive composer offers a detailed insight into his creative process.
How I create… with writer and multidisciplinary artist Tice Cin
The award-winning writer and all-round creative discusses believing in ideas, being brave and finding your own success.
How I create… with Thick & Tight’s Daniel Hay-Gordon
The dancer, choreographer and Thick & Tight co-director on taking cues from Brian Eno and staying disciplined through a love of his work.
How I create… with writer Elaine Castillo
Writer Elaine Castillo shares the creative process and lessons that have helped her pen the novels America is Not the Heart and Moderation.
How I create… with musician Soumik Datta
The sarod virtuoso on finding inspiration on the go, rewriting his understanding of success and learning to accept feedback.
How I create... with musician Nabihah Iqbal
The musician and composer Nabihah Iqbal gives an insight into how she does what she does.
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Time capsule
Join us on a journey through the Southbank Centre’s history.
Skating history: the story of the Undercroft Skate Space
A brief look at the history of this iconic skateboard space on the South Bank that sits within the concrete of our buildings.
Memories of the Festival of Britain
Enjoy a collection of personal memories from the celebration that gave birth to the Southbank Centre.
Chineke! Orchestra make musical history
Watch the 2015 debut concert of Chineke! Europe’s first professional orchestra made up entirely of Global Ethnic Majority performers.
Stravinsky conducts in the Royal Festival Hall
Watch the legendary composer conduct a 1965 performance of The Firebird by the Philharmonia Orchestra.
A potted history of South Asian Music at the Southbank Centre
Look back in bhangra (and sufi and raga and carnartic music…) at South Asian musicians who have performed on our stages from the 1950s to 2025.
8 TS Eliot Prize winning poets to have appeared at the Southbank Centre
How many of these popular poets have you seen appear on our stages?
The evolution of the Royal Festival Hall’s foyer spaces
See how the foyers and lobbies of our Royal Festival Hall have changed from its opening in 1951 to its newest refurbishment in 2024.
The Royal Festival Hall organ: a short history
Our Royal Festival Hall organ celebrated 70 years in 2024. The organ’s curator William McVicker’s short history includes the story of its creation.
Memories of the Royal Festival Hall organ
The Royal Festival Hall organ is celebrated through memories of those who have heard it, and those who have been lucky enough to play it.
Celebrating 40 years of the South Bank Book Market
The South Bank Book Market turned 40 in 2023 Read a history of the market and an interview with one of its original stall holders, still going strong.
My mixtape
Music recommendations from those who know music best.
My mixtape: Sans Soucis’ 10 vital queer and trans artists you need to hear
Listen to a specially curated playlist of queer and trans artists, put together by London singer songwriter Sans Soucis.
My mixtape: John Gosling’s 10 tracks for Lee Alexander McQueen
The musician and producer shares a playlist of pieces which put him in mind of his friend, the designer Lee Alexander McQueen.
My mixtape: Louise Paley’s 10 women in jazz you need to hear
Dive into a soulfully smooth soundtrack of contemporary performers from the Women in Jazz founder and discover your new favourite artist.
My mixtape: Tony Njoku's 10 disruptors in music who inspire him
The composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist shares a playlist of artists who’ve helped guide his musical direction.
My mixtape: Alexandra Dariescu's 10 pieces by female composers you need to hear
The celebrated pianist presents a playlist of works by ten female composers you ought to know.
My Mixtape: Marius Neset’s 10 tracks he can’t get enough of
The saxophonist and composer shares ten pieces of music he keeps going back to again and again, and the reasons why.
My Mixtape: Ásrún Magnúsdóttir’s 10 eclectic teenage favourites
The theatre-maker and choreographer shares 10 unusual tracks requested by teenagers at her Listening Party events, and the stories behind them.
My Mixtape: Kazuko Hohki’s 10 Ura Matsuri favourites
The Frank Chickens singer shares a playlist of East and South East Asian artists (almost) all of which have featured at her annual Ura Matsuri events.
My Mixtape: Kloé Dean's 10 tracks that get her on her feet
The dancer and choreographer will have you up on your feet before you know it with this personal playlist.
My Mixtape: Baluji Shrivastav’s 10 favourite collaborations
The multi-instrumentalist somehow whittles down his incredible history of collaborations for this personal playlist.
My Mixtape: Maya Dunietz’ 10 pieces ‘with a tender flesh’
The musician and composer shares a collection of music with a connection to composer and pianist Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou.
My Mixtape: Asian Dub Foundation's 10 tracks for 30 years at the Southbank Centre
Steve ‘Chandrasonic’ Savale shares a mixtape of tracks inspired by Asian Dub Foundation’s 30 year association with our venue.
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Get up to speed on the art and artists making waves.
Arts unravelled
Breaking down the arts world, one question at a time.
Who is... ?
Introducing you to influential figures you might not yet know.