headliners announced for new Greenwich Summer Sessions

Seth Lakeman, Levellers, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Jools Holland and the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, and Athlete all headline London's new Greenwich Summer Sessions.

Joint headliners Seth Lakeman, and Levellers will kick off the inaugural Summer Sessions on Wednesday 21st July with their only London performances this year and will bring to life the first theme of the festival, 'Rebels', in a distinct nod to Wat Tyler and the peasants revolt.

On Thursday 22nd July the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will deliver a programme of 'Music for a Summer's Evening' that will feature an array of popular classical and opera highlights. Their special guests will be soprano Natasha Marsh and tenor Nicky Spence who will pay homage to Sir Christopher Wren's great baroque masterpiece that sits amidst landscaped grounds in the centre of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site.

Day three, Friday 23rd July, will play host to one of Greenwich's most famous contemporary music faces, Jools Holland and the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra featuring Gilson Lavis and with special guest Alison Moyet, guest vocalists Ruby Turner, and Louise Marshall. Over the years Jools has been an ambassador for the borough while Greenwich is home to Jools' Helicon Mountain studio.

Closing the event will be local Deptford boys Athlete whose headline slot on Sunday 25th July pays tribute to Blackheath's position as the starting point for the world famous London Marathon and the 'Runners' theme. More acts for Sunday’s line-up will be announced in due course.

The Summer Sessions will be placing special emphasis on celebrating the history of Greenwich and to encourage the local community to support the event all Greenwich residents will have access to discounted tickets by submitting their postcode when buying tickets. Only postcodes within the Greenwich borough boundaries will be eligible and the purchasing credit/debit card will need to be registered at the postcode provided.

Summer Sessions Creative Producer and Promoter Peter Conway said, "Having been part of the cultural scene in Greenwich for over thirty years, both as a promoter and local resident, I am delighted to be promoting this new music festival in one of the world's most stunning venues. Greenwich is a world-class destination point and the artists we have chosen to launch the first year match in stature the ambitions of the borough and its residents. Having promoted the first ever Rhythm and Blues Orchestra in a tent on Blackheath in the early 90's it is only fitting that local boy Jools Holland is at the forefront of our first festival. Over the next few years our aim is to build an event that showcases the very best of Greenwich and its surroundings and which all of London and beyond are excited to attend."

Tickets are priced at £22.50 for residents and £25 for non-residents on Wednesday 21st, Thursday 22nd and Sunday 25th and £27.50 for residents and £32.50 for non-residents for Friday 23rd.

To buy Wednesday tickets, click here.

To buy Thursday tickets, click here.

To buy Friday tickets, click here.

To buy Sunday tickets, click here.

Latest Updates