Herbie Hancock three-nighter, Peyroux, Tigran and Mehldau all announced for Serious Summer Series
Mike Flynn
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Things are hotting up for this year’s Serious Summer Series at London’s Barbican and Cadogan Hall venues with dates taking place from June until July with a star packed line-up of keyboard kings and more
Kicking things off on 16 June (Barbican) will be the first UK live performance of Armenian piano star Tigran Hamasyan’s Bird Of A Thousand Voices album, which divided some critics thanks to its deep dive into math-rock and jazz metal, yet is perfect for a powerful live show with a full band of Yessaï Karapetian (keyboards), Marc Karapetian (bass), and Matt Garstka (drums), plus an opening set from ECM signed singer Alice Zawadzki. US piano luminary Brad Mehldau also returns to the Barbican on 24 June for another pianistic display.
A mouth-watering trio of multi-Grammy winning jazz banjoist Béla Fleck, Colombian harp master Edmar Castañeda and former Pat Metheny drummer and film composer Antonio Sanchez will appear for two nights at Cadogan Hall on 9-10 July for what’s sure to be a feast of rhythmic and sonic pyrotechnics, while singer-songwriter Madeleine Peyroux follows these shows with her own concert at Cadogan Hall on 15 July.
The sounds of the Crescent City are brought to life by the Take Me To The River All-Stars’ Memphis Soul Revue featuring legendary vocalist Carla Thomas and the Hi Rhythm band (12 July, Barbican), and last but far from least will be a three night-stand from Mr Chameleon himself, Herbie Hancock, as he returns the Barbican on 24, 25 and 26 July, with his top-drawer band diving into the riches of his back catalogue with some explosive live versions of classics such as ‘Actual Proof’, ‘Butterfly’ and ‘Chameleon’.
For more info visit www.barbican.org.uk and cadoganhall.com
