On Sunday 30 August 2026, LIVE + BREATHE will take over Southbank Centre for a day of climate action, music, culture and community, bringing together people from across London to campaign for clean air, environmental justice and change.
At a time when air pollution continues to disproportionately affect communities across London, LIVE + BREATHE aims to turn awareness into action through art, culture and collective organising.
Hosted by artist, musician and founder Love Ssega, the day brings together two events: LIVE + BREATHE: Climate Futures Marketplace in the Clore Ballroom and LIVE + BREATHE: Sounds of Solidarity on the Riverside Terrace. Artists, activists and communities will unite through music, creativity and conversation to make some noise for clean air.
The events shine a light on the unequal impact of air pollution, particularly on communities of colour and those most affected by poor air quality. They also spotlight people already taking action through music, art, culture and community to demand change.
Climate Futures Marketplace – Taking place in the Clore Ballroom from 2pm, LIVE + BREATHE: Climate Futures Marketplace will bring together local voices, artists, community groups and campaigners to explore what climate action can look like in South London. The afternoon will feature pops-and collaborations with students from the London College of Communication (LCC), alongside work from artists, creative organisations and community-led projects.
“From local campaigns and community organising to art, design, games and creative projects, the marketplace will showcase the many ways people are turning ideas into action. Highlights will include a dedicated exhibition from LCC’s Design School, work from Roll ‘N Stroll, NEON Elevate, Jaffar Aly, Studio Long, Sounds Right, EarthPercent and Hard Art Collective. The programme will also feature work from Mayor of London’s No Extra Time, Philharmonia Orchestra, Carspreading and Cool Off in Culture.
Sounds of Solidarity – From 2pm on the Riverside Terrace, LIVE + BREATHE: Sounds of Solidarity will bring music, dancing and community together overlooking the River Thames. The event will celebrate Black voices from Southwark and Lambeth, with music selected by communities living with the unequal impacts of air pollution.
The afternoon will feature performances and DJ sets from a line-up representing the sounds and communities of South London, including Shabba Party & Friends will be playing reggae, dancehall and carnival sounds, featuring YNG CPTN, TryB, Gin and Janelle Wynter. Mya Mehmi of Pxssy Palace will be bringing the Hip hop, R&B and Afrobeats. Rotation sharing funk, soul and disco, featuring Femi Fem. Also joined by dancers from the South London based “Carnival meets wellness” collective Zaiah Arts. Together, the artists will celebrate Black music, culture and communities affected by air pollution.
Love Ssega, artist, musician and founder of LIVE + BREATHE, said:
“Working with Southbank Centre feels like a natural fit for LIVE + BREATHE. We want to bring clean air and environmental justice into cultural spaces where people can see it, talk about it and get involved. Music and culture give us a way to bring communities together and show that climate action can be bold, creative and something we can all take part in.”
LIVE + BREATHE is a non-profit, arts-led organisation focused on demanding a universal and equitable right to clean air. Founded by Love Ssega in 2022, it is a Black-led climate and social justice organisation highlighting and exposing the unequal impacts of air pollution on communities of colour and people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
