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Musicians of Paraorchestra surrounded by audience in a dark venue with bright lights

Alternative Experiences

Shifting perceptions of the art form

Our programme is chock-full of artists who are challenging the conventions of classical music to bring us thrilling new projects.

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More info for Gaia x BBC Concert Orchestra: Sounds of the Earth
Left: A giant inflatable Earth globe among green trees. Right: A full orchestra performing in front of a massive pipe organ.
Classical music

Gaia x BBC Concert Orchestra: Sounds of the Earth

Under the glow of Luke Jerram’s replica of our planet, hear a concert of heavenly works for strings
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Gaia x Eric Whitacre: Eternity in an Hour
A man with medium-length brown hair and a denim shirt poses with his hand to his chin against a neutral background.
Classical music

Gaia x Eric Whitacre: Eternity in an Hour

Time melts away beneath a stunning replica of Earth with a spellbinding electro-choral concert
Royal Festival Hall
More info for Playing with Fire: Yuja Wang
Yuja Wang plays piano in front of a surreal illustration
Classical music

Playing with Fire: Yuja Wang

Get closer to the explosive talent of Yuja Wang at a groundbreaking concert merging VR and live piano
Royal Festival Hall
Multi-buy
More info for Steve Reich at 90: After Dark
Composer Steve Reich in a black cap and jacket, posing in front of a dark tapestry featuring horses and riders.
Classical music

Steve Reich at 90: After Dark

The hypnotic works of the minimalist master take us late into the evening at our classical club night
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Multi-buy
More info for Steve Reich at 90: Music for 18 Musicians
Paraorchestra performing surrounded by audience
Classical music

Steve Reich at 90: Music for 18 Musicians

Explore the soundscapes of a minimalist masterpiece in an immersive performance with Paraorchestra
The Clore Ballroom
Multi-buy
More info for After Dark: Club Cyborg – Zubin Kanga
A man in a blue suit and data-tracking gloves poses under pink and cyan lights, looking intently to the side.
Classical music

After Dark: Club Cyborg – Zubin Kanga

Hear PARTITA by Alex Groves, fusing Baroque forms and electronic music, at a classical club night
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Multi-buy
More info for After Dark: Samba Café – Chineke! Orchesta
A man sitting in a room full of records listening to music in headphones
Classical music

After Dark: Samba Café – Chineke! Orchesta

Guitarist Plínio Fernandes leads an intimate performance of Latin American, folk and chamber music
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Multi-buy
More info for After Dark: Martin & Matilda Fröst
Clarinettist Martin Fröst in soft light from a window
Classical music

After Dark: Martin & Matilda Fröst

Join an intimate late-night performance from clarinettist Martin Fröst and vocalist Matilda Fröst
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Multi-buy
More info for Philip Glass at 90: Music in 12 Parts
Musicians of Riot Ensemble performing in a dark space
Classical music

Philip Glass at 90: Music in 12 Parts

Riot Ensemble becomes only the third ensemble in history to perform Glass’ wild four-hour work
The Clore Ballroom
Multi-buy

While you're with us

Jeppe Hein: Appearing Rooms
People enjoying the Jeppe Hein Fountain at the Southbank Centre

Jeppe Hein: Appearing Rooms

A summer favourite returns to our site with water fountains to splash around and cool down in.

Shopping
Wooden displays in the Southbank centre shop, featuring books, plushies, and colourful merchandise

Shopping

A vibrant range of inspiring books, homeware, prints, accessories and more.

Klaus Weber: Thinking Fountains
Two statues; a green human body with water spouting from its neck and another of human legs with water pouring down from above displayed outdoors

Thinking
Fountains

Water cascades and spouts over Klaus Weber’s bronze figures.

Modified Social Benches
Two children eating ice cream on a red cirrcular bench

Modified Social Benches

Benches that challenge the space and distance we place between one another.

William Pye's Zemran
A photograph showing Riverside Terrace at Southbank Centre, with the metal sculpture Zemran in the foreground, next to Queen Elizabeth Hall

William Pye's Zemran

Pye’s beautiful stainless steel sculpture sits overlooking the Thames.

Natura Nostra Forest
Bright sunlight bursts through green leaves with a lens flare, set against a blue sky and a textured concrete building.

Natura Nostra Forest

Our growing pocket forest creating a natural oasis.