London’s much-anticipated FREE music and performance festival, King’s Cross Summer Sounds is set to make a grand return this summer, promising 12 days of musical performances, vibrant dance, and captivating acts from around the world.
From 15-26 August, King’s Cross is set to come alive with a diverse programme that seamlessly blends the world’s best folk, jazz, classical and experimental music with dynamic dance performances and exceptional local talent – all set against the backdrop of the iconic Coal Drops Yard.
This year, King’s Cross Summer Sounds is honouring its commitment to diversity and inclusion, taking a more community-centric approach than ever before. Local businesses and organisations are playing a pivotal role in co-curating a series of events that bring together a blend of different artists and musicians, including Anthony Whitworth-Jones, English Folk Dance and Song Society, King’s Place, Lafayette, Queer Britain, Voices Radio, and Aga Khan Foundation.
The festival opens with a bang with Unicorn Frequency – a fiery ensemble of international jazz, classical and traditional musicians from across Europe who will set the stage alight with their opening performance.
Other festival moments include Indie Rock sensation Lily Moore and Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard on Friday 16 August, the return of the Queer Britain takeover on Monday 19 August with performances from Barbs, Toby Corton and Bessi to name a few, and a celebration of everything folk on Monday 26 August with performances from Kabantu and female folk band Kinnaris Quintet.
Queer Tango London (QTL) classes and Milonga will also take place at Lewis Cubitt Square on Saturday 17 August. QTL is a London-based Argentine tango organisation that is part of King’s Cross Summer Sounds’ programme aimed at driving participation with older generations from the LGBTQIA+ community in the local area. QTL believes Tango has benefits for both the mind and body, as well as giving the community an opportunity to meet like-minded people.
Cementing its position as London’s most inclusive free music festival, King’s Cross Summer Sounds will deliver live concerts every evening from 6:30pm – 8:30pm and from 1pm – 6pm on ‘Family Sundays’. There will also be a loop so that the hearing impaired can hear through their hearing aids, as well as a designated area for people with limited mobility.
Chrissy Cullen, Place Marketing Director at King’s Cross, said: “We’re so excited that King’s Cross Summer Sounds will be returning to Coal Drops Yard once again this August. With such a diverse lineup, there really is something here for everyone – from opera lovers and jazz enthusiasts to folk fans and dance devotees – we’d encourage you to come along and discover something new. As with previous years, the festival is free with no need to book tickets, but we would highly encourage getting down early to bag your spot!”
King’s Cross Summer Sounds is produced and directed by Martin Collins.
Martin Collins, Festival Director of King’s Cross Summer Sounds, added: “We are so thrilled that King’s Cross Summer Sounds will be returning to Coal Drops Yard again for 2024. Community is at the heart of the festival and we’re so proud to be able to spotlight the local diversity and fantastic talent we have in the area”.
