Carly Rae Jepsen, Arlo Parks and John Legend are among the stars announced to play at Somerset House’s annual series of summer shows in 2022.
London has loads of ace summer festivals, but there aren’t many more picturesque places for music fans to catch their favourite artists than the lovely neoclassical quadrangle at Somerset House. Which is why it’s thrilling news that the Strand institution is bringing back its outdoor gig series next July after two years out thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. The line-up for the eleven-day 2022 edition looks absolutely mega.
After picking up the Brit Award for Best Newcomer earlier this year, young Londoner Arlo Parks will be performing hits from her poetic, soulful and frankly excellent debut album Collapsed in Sunbeams. Catchy Canadian songstress Carly Rae Jepsen will be bringing her effervescent pop to London for the occasion. And on a (hopefully sunny) Saturday evening to remember, multi-platinum US singer-songwriter John Legend will be taking to the scenic stage.
But it’s not just pop music you’ll find on the hugely varied programme. There are dates from a huge variety of local talent, including Newham grime MC Ghetts, hyped Croydon rockers Black Midi, experimental five-piece Squid and south-east London jazz artist Yussef Dayes.
It all culminates on Sunday 17 July with a show from hyped fashion brand and party series Places+Faces.
Tickets go on sale on 9 December at 10am via Somerset House’s official website, although if you happen to be an AmEx customer they are available via a presale from 10am on 6 December to9am on 9 December.
The Somerset House series for summer 2022 is as follows:
Thursday 7 July: Tems
Friday 8 July: Squid
Saturday 9 July: Yussuf Dayes
Sunday 10 July: Bomba Estéreo
Monday 11 July: Carly Rae Jepsen
Tuesday 12 July: Arlo Parks
Wednesday 13 July: Black Midi
Thursday 14 July: Ghetts
Friday 15 July: SG Lewis
Saturday 16 July: John Legend
Sunday 17 July: Places+Faces