Kings Place, London - Programme for December 2024.

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Kings Place has announced its programme for December 2024, including some performances that are likely to be of interest to jazz listeners. Press release attached.

We have received the following press release;

KINGS PLACE IN DECEMBER

Scotland Unwrapped Guest Curator Aidan O’Rourke collaborates with Sean Shibe, world premieres from James MacMillan, Anna Meredith and Electra Perivolaris, and sparkling seasonal programme featuring festive folk shows, comedy and more

Fiddler Aidan O’Rourke and guitarist Sean Shibe present ‘Lùban’, stripping back their respective genres

London Sinfonietta present world premieres from James MacMillan and Electra Perivolaris, enhanced by the d&b Soundscape system

The Colin Currie Quartet perform the world premiere of Anna Meredith’s Dodgem Studies arranged for percussion quartet, alongside new works by Aileen McSweeney and Ben Nobuto

Festive shows include the return of Robin Ince’s much loved Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People, Tim Edey’s Celtic Christmas and a much-anticipated debut from Michael Mwenso & The Shakes

SCOTLAND UNWRAPPED | CLASSICAL, FOLK

Scotland Unwrapped, the 16th edition of the award-winning series from Kings Place, concludes in December 2024, celebrating Scottish music and spoken word. The series has highlighted both its traditional and regional riches but also explored the diverse contemporary scene and the writers and composers that give Scotland its distinctive voice.

The London Sinfonietta presents an evening of music by Scottish composers exploring the idea of love and our deepest human need for connection. The programme includes works by Judith Weir, Peter Maxwell Davies and the world public premiere of James MacMillan’s Love bade me welcome and a world premiere of a new work from Electra Perivolaris, who also produces a specially-devised sonic landscape through the d&b Soundscape system [6 Dec]. The Colin Currie Quartet also present an evening of premieres, including a Kings Place commission for Scotland Unwrapped – Anna Meredith’s Dodgem Studies arranged for percussion quartet – and new works from Ben Nobuto and Aileen Sweeney [7 Dec].

Scotland Unwrapped Guest Curator and folk fiddler Aidan O’Rourke collaborates with classical guitarist Sean Shibe to present ‘Lùban’, a new project bringing together two Scottish musicians embedded in tradition but stripping back conservative rituals around their respective genres. Going to the source and unearthing old melodies from hidden away manuscripts, the project aims to make something truly new and unlike other classical/folk partnerships [6 Dec]. Cahill//Costello from Glasgow bring their shared, highly emotive soundworld to Kings Place – comprised of guitarist Kevin Daniel Cahill and drummer Graham Costello, they share a mutual passion for minimalism and improvisation [12 Dec]. Ambient experimental folk group Constant Follower and singer-songwriter Findlay Napier come to Kings Place – both keep the magic of Scottish folk alive while bringing it further into the contemporary scene [14 Dec].

CHRISTMAS

Robin Ince brings his ever-popular Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People to Kings Place, hosting three nights and a matinee of his pioneering blend of science and culture where the entire breadth of human creativity and curiosity will be on display – special guests this year include Helen Czerski, Chris Lintott, Kate Stables, Chris Jackson, Steve Pretty, Josie Long, Rachel Long and many more to be announced [13, 14 & 15 Dec].

A Winter Union present soaring harmonies and exquisite musicianship through a repertoire of brand new, specially written songs, fresh arrangements of traditional carols and seasonal classics from both sides of the Atlantic [11 Dec]. Multi award-winning singer-songwriter Charlie Dore returns to Kings Place with her new live show, The Man Who Built Christmas – alongside long-time collaborator Julian Littman and Gareth Huw Davies, they swap instruments and stories as they showcase yuletide originals as well as favourites from their past nine albums and songs never heard live before [13 Dec]. Tim Edey, one of the world’s finest guitarists and melodeon players, presents his Celtic Christmas show, celebrating various Christmas folk traditions alongside music from his extensive repertoire [18 Dec]. BIG Gospel Choir perform classic gospel anthems and festive favourites [18 Dec] and Michael Mwenso & The Shakes make their much-anticipated debut at Kings Place with A Funky Soulful Christmas. Mwenso is joined by an exceptional line-up of musicians and vocalists from New York and London to present an Afrofuturistic Winter Wonderland [19 Dec].

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS | CLASSICAL, FOLK, WORDS

The award-winning Barbican Quartet perform one of Haydn’s best loved quartets from the Op. 20 set, Ravel’s beautiful String Quartet in F and one of Beethoven’s finest quartets, the first of his Razumovsky quartets [8 Dec]. The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment continue their ‘Bach, the Universe and Everything’ series, performing Bach’s Schwingt freudig euch empor BWV 36, composed for the First Sunday of Advent – guest speaker Helen Arney also joins, guiding the audience through a history of animals who have headed starwards in the service of space exploration [15 Dec].

Declan O’Rourke celebrates the 20th anniversary of his debut album Since Kyabram, which achieved gold, platinum and twice platinum status [20 Dec]. Piers Torday, Roxanne De Bastion, Sam Lee, Natasha Farrant and Laura Dockrill celebrate the power of music with OneTrackMinds, a cross between Desert Island Discs, TED Talks and The Moth that sees a selection of storytellers share one song that changed them forever [12 Dec].

CHRISTMAS

Wed 11 Dec | Hall Two 8pm
A WINTER UNION
Expect soaring harmonies and exquisite musicianship through a repertoire of brand new, specially written songs, fresh arrangements of traditional carols and seasonal classics from both sides of the Atlantic. Originally formed in 2015 for a one-off yuletide concert, A Winter Union have gone from strength to strength and are fast becoming thought of as the pre-Christmas knees up for folk & roots lovers all over the country.
£19 plus Concessions tickets

Fri 13, Sat 14 & Sun 15 Dec | Hall One 7pm
Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People
Robin Ince hosts three nights and a matinee of his pioneering mash up of science and culture where the entire breadth of human creativity and curiosity will be on display from astronomy to art, poetry to palaeontology, music to maths and everything else in between. Special guests this year will include Helen Czerski, Chris Lintott, Kate Stables, Chris Jackson, Steve Pretty, Josie Long, Rachel Long and many, many, many more!
£28 plus Concessions tickets

Fri 13 Dec | Hall Two 8pm
Charlie Dore Trio
The Man Who Built Christmas
Multi-award-winner singer-songwriter Charlie Dore returns to Kings place with her new live show – The Man Who Built Christmas. Alongside her long-time collaborator Julian Littman of Steeleye Span, and Gareth Huw Davies, they swap guitars, piano, harmonium, mandolin, ukulele and stories as they showcase these yuletide originals as well as favourites from the past nine albums and several songs never before heard live.
£18 plus Concessions tickets

Wed 18 Dec | Hall Two 8pm
Tim Edey’s Celtic Christmas
Tim Edey, one of the world’s finest guitarists and melodeon players, presents his Celtic Christmas show, celebrating the various Christmas folk traditions from these islands, alongside music from his extensive repertoire. His album represents his globetrotting influences: the beauty of The Wexford Carol, reflecting a decade spent around the world with The Chieftains, the passion and stunning musicality of ‘The Galician Carol’, learned from Spanish superstar Carlos Nunez during recording together at Mike Oldfield’s studio.
£20 plus Concessions tickets

Wed 18 Dec | Hall One 7.30pm
BIG GOSPEL CHOIR AT CHRISTMAS
Join us for a joyous evening filled with soulful harmonies and uplifting gospel music that will bring the true spirit of the season to life. BIG Gospel Choir’s stunning vocals and heart-warming energy are sure to have you clapping, singing, and dancing as they perform classic gospel anthems, festive favourites, and some Gospel arrangements of songs that will touch your heart.
£20 – £40 plus Concessions Tickets

Thu 19 Dec | Hall One 8pm
A FUNKY SOULFUL CHRISTMAS WITH MICHAEL MWENSO & THE SHAKES
FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST REUBEN JAMES
Join Michael Mwenso and his band, The Shakes, for a celebration of community and love with a soulful twist on Christmas classics. Led by Mwenso, and featuring an exceptional line-up of musicians and vocalists from New York and London (including a dancer!), this event promises to bring to life an Afrofuturistic Winter Wonderland. This show marks Mwenso’s long-awaited return to London after a decade, showcasing the Afro-futurism work he’s been championing across the U.S.
£20 – £40 plus Concessions Tickets

CLASSICAL | CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL  

Fri 6 Dec | Hall Two 8pm | Soundscape
LONDON SINFONIETTA
LOVE LINES
Scotland Unwrapped
Judith Weir Sketches from a Bagpipers Album
James MacMillan Love Bade me Welcome (world public premiere)
Electra Perivolaris new work (world premiere)
Peter Maxwell Davies Hymn to Artemis Locheia
James MacMillan After the Tryst
Mark van de Wiel clarinet |  Simon Haram saxophone, Jennifer France soprano |  London Sinfonietta
The London Sinfonietta presents an evening of music by Scottish Composers exploring the idea of love and our deepest human need for connection, with music from Judith Weir, Peter Maxwell Davies and James MacMillan. The concert will be enhanced by the use of the d&b Soundscape system with a specially-devised sonic landscape produced by Electra Perivolaris, which sets the scene in the hall and between the pieces.
£18 plus Concessions tickets

Sat 7 Dec | Hall One 7.30pm
Colin Currie Quartet play Anna Meredith
Scotland Unwrapped
David Horne Pulse (for solo marimba)
Aileen Sweeney new work (for percussion quartet, London premiere)
Steve Reich Mallet Quartet
Ben Nobuto new work
Anna Meredith Dodgem Studies (arranged for percussion quartet, world premiere)
Scottish star percussionist Colin Currie brings a uniquely sparkling quartet programme featuring two world premieres, and three Scots composers. Anna Meredith and Colin were in the same wind band at their Edinburgh high school and have always kept in touch. This concert sees the brazen eccentricity of her Dodgem Studies in a whizzingly upbeat new version; a Kings Place commission for Scotland Unwrapped.
£25 – £45 plus Concessions tickets

Sun 8 Dec | Hall One 6pm
BARBICAN QUARTET
London Chamber Music Society
Haydn String Quartet in D, Op. 20, No. 4
Ravel String Quartet in F
Beethoven String Quartet in F, Op. 59, No. 1, Razumovsky
In this debut concert for the LCMS, Barbican Quartet perform one of Haydn’s best loved quartets from the Op. 20 set, Ravel’s ravishingly beautiful early 20th-century quartet and one of Beethoven’s finest quartet achievements – the first of his Razumovsky Quartets. The Barbican Quartet is an award-winning ensemble whose array of prizes include first prize in the International Joseph Joachim Chamber Music Competition.
£18 – £30 plus Concessions tickets and 25% discount for LCMS Friends

Sun 15 Dec | Hall One 11.30am
ORCHESTRA OF THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT
space animals
Bach, the Universe and Everything
Composed for the First Sunday of Advent in 1731, Schwingt freudig euch empor zu den erhabnen Sternen (Soar joyfully upwards to the exalted stars, BWV 36) is an extended two-part cantata in which we find Bach at his most jubilant. Our guest speaker, Helen Arney (33.33% of The Festival of the Spoken Nerd) joins us at a time of year when our thoughts might turn to heroic journeys made by an animal, as she guides us through a short history of animals who have headed starwards in the service of space exploration.
£20 plus Concessions tickets;  save 15% when you book 3 BTUAE concerts

CONTEMPORARY  

Thu 12 Dec | Hall Two 8pm
CAHILL//COSTELLO
Scotland Unwrapped
Consisting of guitarist Kevin Daniel Cahill and drummer Graham Costello, Cahill//Costello‘s music-making is grounded in patience and clarity, fusing elements of minimailism and ambient music in an honest appeal to the heart of the listener. In 2021 they released their debut album Offworld on Gearbox Records. 2024 sees the duo’s return with their second album Cahill//Costello II released on Gearbox Records.
£17 – £23 plus Concessions tickets

Wed 18 Dec | Hall One 7.30pm
BIG GOSPEL CHOIR AT CHRISTMAS
Join us for a joyous evening filled with soulful harmonies and uplifting gospel music that will bring the true spirit of the season to life. BIG Gospel Choir’s stunning vocals and heart-warming energy are sure to have you clapping, singing, and dancing as they perform classic gospel anthems, festive favourites, and some Gospel arrangements of songs that will touch your heart.
£20 – £40 plus Concessions Tickets

Thu 19 Dec | Hall One 8pm
A FUNKY SOULFUL CHRISTMAS WITH MICHAEL MWENSO & THE SHAKES
FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST REUBEN JAMES
Join Michael Mwenso and his band, The Shakes, for a celebration of community and love with a soulful twist on Christmas classics. Led by Mwenso, and featuring an exceptional line-up of musicians and vocalists from New York and London (including a dancer!), this event promises to bring to life an Afrofuturistic Winter Wonderland. This show marks Mwenso’s long-awaited return to London after a decade, showcasing the Afro-futurism work he’s been championing across the U.S.
£20 – £40 plus Concessions Tickets

Sat 21 Dec | Hall Two 8pm
DOMINIC MILLER
Most widely known as Sting’s trusty side-kick guitarist, Dominic Miller has been involved in every Sting album since the 1991 album The Soul Cages and performed over a thousand concerts with the former Police singer as well as co-written hit songs such as Shape Of My Heart and La Belle Dame sans regrets. Also a very successful solo artist, his new album Vagabond (ECM Records) is an addition to his solo discography.
Booking via external website

FAMILY  

Sat 14 Dec | Hall One 11.30am
Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People
FAMILY MATINEE
Robin Ince hosts three nights and a matinee of his pioneering mash up of science and culture where the entire breadth of human creativity and curiosity will be on display from astronomy to art, poetry to palaeontology, music to maths and everything else in between. Special guests this year will include Helen Czerski, Chris Lintott, Kate Stables, Chris Jackson, Steve Pretty, Josie Long, Rachel Long and many, many, many more!
£17 – £23 plus Concessions tickets

FOLK  

Fri 6 Dec | Hall One 7.30pm
Aidan O’Rourke & Sean Shibe
Lùban
Scotland Unwrapped
Bringing together two Scottish musicians who are both embedded in tradition, guest curator and folk fiddler Aidan O’Rourke is joined by classical guitarist Sean Shibe as they strip back the conservative ritual around their respective genres. Both of them gravitate to the edges of their traditions and thrive on roaming the hinterlands. They would like to find out where they might meet.
£25 plus Concessions tickets

Wed 11 Dec | Hall Two 8pm
a winter union
Expect soaring harmonies and exquisite musicianship through a repertoire of brand new, specially written songs, fresh arrangements of traditional carols and seasonal classics from both sides of the Atlantic. Originally formed in 2015 for a one-off yuletide concert, A Winter Union have gone from strength to strength and are fast becoming thought of as the pre-Christmas knees up for folk & roots lovers all over the country.
£19 plus Concessions tickets

Fri 13 Dec | Hall Two 8pm
Charlie Dore Trio
The Man Who Built Christmas
Multi-award-winner singer-songwriter Charlie Dore returns to Kings place with her new live show – The Man Who Built Christmas. Alongside her long-time collaborator Julian Littman of Steeleye Span, and Gareth Huw Davies, they swap guitars, piano, harmonium, mandolin, ukulele and stories as they showcase these yuletide originals as well as favourites from the past nine albums and several songs never before heard live.
£18 plus Concessions tickets

Sat 14 Dec | Hall Two 7pm
Constant Follower X Findlay Napier
Scotland Unwrapped
Self-describing as soaring-ambient-dreampop-experimental-folk, Constant Follower is the alias of songwriter Stephen McAll, whose instantly compelling and moving debut album, Neither is Nor Ever Was, was produced by Kramer. Tirelessly creative, Findlay Napier has been touring and releasing music since the early noughties; most recently as a solo act working under the guidance of legendary songwriter Boo Hewerdine.
£17 plus Concessions tickets

Wed 18 Dec | Hall Two 8pm
Tim Edey’s Celtic Christmas
Tim Edey, one of the world’s finest guitarists and melodeon players, presents his Celtic Christmas show, celebrating the various Christmas folk traditions from these islands, alongside music from his extensive repertoire. His album represents his globetrotting influences: the beauty of The Wexford Carol, reflecting a decade spent around the world with The Chieftains, the passion and stunning musicality of ‘The Galician Carol’, learned from Spanish superstar Carlos Nunez during recording together at Mike Oldfield’s studio.
£20 plus Concessions tickets

Fri 20 Dec | Hall One 7.30pm
DECLAN O’ROURKE
Since Kyabram 20th Anniversary
In October 2004, amongst a thriving Dublin music scene, Declan O’Rourke’s debut album Since Kyabram was released. In its first week, Since Kyabram entered the charts at No. 5 and over the following two years achieved gold, platinum and twice platinum status. The album held within it a collection of songs which led to award nominations and plaudits from Paul Weller, Eddi Reader, Paul Brady and Snow Patrol.
£32

SOUNDSCAPE

Fri 6 Dec | Hall Two 8pm | Soundscape
LONDON SINFONIETTA
LOVE LINES
Scotland Unwrapped
Judith Weir Sketches from a Bagpipers Album
James MacMillan Love Bade me Welcome (world public premiere)
Electra Perivolaris new work (world premiere)
Peter Maxwell Davies Hymn to Artemis Locheia
James MacMillan After the Tryst
Mark van de Wiel clarinet |  Simon Haram saxophone, Jennifer France soprano |  London Sinfonietta
The London Sinfonietta presents an evening of music by Scottish Composers exploring the idea of love and our deepest human need for connection, with music from Judith Weir, Peter Maxwell Davies and James MacMillan. The concert will be enhanced by the use of the d&b Soundscape system with a specially-devised sonic landscape produced by Electra Perivolaris, which sets the scene in the hall and between the pieces.
£18 plus Concessions tickets

WORDS / COMEDY  

Mon 9 Dec | Hall One 7.30pm
THE TURING LECTURES
can we live with ai?
In a world where AI seems to be taking over more and more human tasks, while placing ever greater demands on our environment, Shannon Vallor asks a crucial question in the final lecture in this series: can we live with AI, and what do we need to be able to do so harmoniously? This thought-provoking talk will challenge your assumptions about AI and its role, as we unpack its impact on our daily lives and what this means for humanity.
Booking via external website

Thu 12 Dec | Hall One 7.30pm
ONETRACKMINDS
with Roxane De Bastion, Piers Torday, Sam Lee, NATASHA FARRANT AND LAURA DOCKRILL
Everyone has a story of a song that changed their life. For a special series at Kings Place, award-winning OneTrackMinds (a cross between Desert Island Discs, TED Talks and The Moth) brings together an inspiring selection of musicians, writers, performers and thinkers, each presenting a thought-provoking story about that one track that changed their life, while leaving a lasting impact on yours.
£18 plus Concessions tickets

Fri 13, Sat 14 & Sun 15 Dec | Hall One 7pm
Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People
Robin Ince hosts three nights and a matinee of his pioneering mash up of science and culture where the entire breadth of human creativity and curiosity will be on display from astronomy to art, poetry to palaeontology, music to maths and everything else in between. Special guests this year will include Helen Czerski, Chris Lintott, Kate Stables, Chris Jackson, Steve Pretty, Josie Long, Rachel Long and many, many, many more!
£28 plus Concessions tickets

Sun 15 Dec | Hall One 11.30am
ORCHESTRA OF THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT
space animals
Bach, the Universe and Everything
Composed for the First Sunday of Advent in 1731, Schwingt freudig euch empor zu den erhabnen Sternen (Soar joyfully upwards to the exalted stars, BWV 36) is an extended two-part cantata in which we find Bach at his most jubilant. Our guest speaker, Helen Arney (33.33% of The Festival of the Spoken Nerd) joins us at a time of year when our thoughts might turn to heroic journeys made by an animal, as she guides us through a short history of animals who have headed starwards in the service of space exploration.
£20 plus Concessions tickets;  save 15% when you book 3 BTUAE concerts

ABOUT KINGS PLACE
Kings Place is an adventurous music and arts venue with an ambition to inspire local community and promote the power of the arts in our society. Its venues enable learning, discovery, debate and experiences that are powerfully intimate, enabling human connection between artists and audiences.
The dedicated and supportive team programmes a series of festivals and events, developing cross-arts collaborations and artistic relationships that deliver unforgettable live experiences.
The award-winning concert series, Unwrapped, is its flagship programme, exploring big ideas and overarching themes across the year. Kings Place is also the UK’s home of live podcasting as creators and hosts of the London Podcast Festival.
As a registered charity Kings Place does not receive regular public funding. Income is generated through ticket sales, donations, grants, and the staging of world-class conferences and events.
http://www.kingsplace.co.uk

Kings Place,
90 York Way,
London N1 9AG.