Our HeartBeats: Courage in Creativity
Soak up the energy at a day-to-night celebration of global club sounds, community and music’s ability to unite, empower and challenge.
Our HeartBeats is more than a DJ crew – it’s a movement. Rooted in the belief of music’s ability to bring people together and defy narratives, Our HeartBeats collective create a space where culture, migration and identity collide on the dance floor.
Our HeartBeats is a community-led DJ training and performance platform rooted in the belief that music has the power to unite, empower and challenge narratives. Championing young DJs from refugee and displaced backgrounds, the programme creates pathways into London’s music scene while celebrating the diverse musical identities of its artists.
At this event, newly trained DJs from the latest Our HeartBeats cohort will perform their first public sets, supported by alumni artists who have gone on to perform at festivals, venues and radio stations across London and beyond. Special guest DJs will also join the line-up.
Part of Southbank Centre’s Refugee Week 2026 programme, presented in partnership with Counterpoints Arts, this event responds to this year’s theme of ‘courage’ – welcoming audiences to connect across cultures through music and shared celebration.
Our HeartBeats began during Refugee Week 2024 in collaboration with Counterpoints Arts and has since grown into an independent Community Interest Company supporting emerging artists through workshops, mentoring and performance opportunities.
Need to know
2pm: Kensaye
3pm: DJ Ab
3.20pm: DJ Eze
3.40pm: DJ Janna
4pm: DJ Showtazz Mazzika
4.20pm: DJ Bebe
4.40pm: DJ Zack
5pm: DJ Buay
6pm: DJ Shahrorah
7pm: DJ Ruby Heart
8pm: Miss Yamate Aaah
9pm: Emily Dust
Line-up
Emily Dust is a leading voice in UK club culture, renowned as a boundless, cross-cultural selector and respected tastemaker.
For your visit
This event is held at the Riverside Terrace Southbank Centre
The Riverside Terrace is open all day, every day*.
*If you’re attending an event on our Riverside Terrace, check the event listing for start and finish times.
Plan your visit
The Riverside Terrace is an outdoor space overlooking the River Thames, on Royal Festival Hall, Level 2.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
Through the glass from Riverside Terrace on Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.