Two veteran London music and youth mentoring organisations will present a run of free performances at the Southbank Centre this summer, offering a mixture of jazz, Caribbean‑influenced rhythms and community‑focused DJ sets.
Birthday season for a formative music programme
Tomorrow’s Warriors, which is marking its 35th year, will be among the headliners of the centre’s riverside and indoor programme. The organisation’s ensembles are scheduled to perform in several slots across the coming weeks, with one of the highlights a joint set featuring the Tomorrow’s Warriors group Continuum with members of the long‑running Jazz Jamaica band.
The four‑hour terrace concert on 30 July will explore genres that helped shape modern British jazz, from ska and mento to calypso. Saxophonist David Kayode is listed as taking listeners through African Hi‑Life and Yoruba rhythms during the performance. The event is free and will take place on the riverside terrace at the Southbank Centre.
Outdoor decks and a musical love letter to the city
On 2 August at 1pm, drummer Femi Koleoso — known for his work with Ezra Collective and links to both Jazz Warriors and Kinetiko Bloco — will host a daytime DJ session titled Situation Dance. The set is described as a lively, dance‑oriented selection intended to bring people together.
“a musical love letter to London”
The session is free and open to all; audiences are advised to wear comfortable footwear suitable for dancing.
Kinetika/Kinetiko Bloco showcases the next generation
Kinetiko Bloco, which has been operating for more than two decades and counts alumni in bands such as Ezra Collective, Kokoroko and Steam Down, will present a Summer Showcase in the Clore Ballroom at the Royal Festival Hall on 14 August at 7pm. The group will also perform another free outdoor gig on the riverside terrace on 20 August at 6pm, billed as an evening of music and dance.
Key dates and locations
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 30 July | Continuum with Jazz Jamaica | Riverside Terrace, Southbank Centre |
| 2 August, 1pm | Situation Dance (Femi Koleoso) | Riverside Terrace, Southbank Centre |
| 14 August, 7pm | Kinetiko Bloco Summer Showcase | Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall |
| 20 August, 6pm | Kinetiko Bloco outdoor gig | Riverside Terrace, Southbank Centre |
- All listed events are free to attend; no tickets are required for the outdoor sessions.
- Performances mix jazz, Caribbean genres and West African rhythms, reflecting the organisations’ mentoring work.
- Further listings for the Southbank Centre’s riverside season are available via the venue’s events pages.
Both Tomorrow’s Warriors and Kinetiko Bloco combine performance with youth development and mentoring; their regular programmes have helped launch and support musicians who appear across the contemporary London jazz scene. The summer slots on the Southbank provide a public showcase of that work and an accessible way for residents and visitors to experience the music without charge.
For more details about programming and any last‑minute changes, check the Southbank Centre’s official events listings before travelling.
