Serious - 2026 Winter & Spring Programme.

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Live music producers Serious have announced their Winter & Spring series of events which will take place at various London venues and further afield. Press release including a schedule of events att.

We have received the following press release;

SERIOUS upcoming shows including Anohni, Ludovico Einaudi, KODO, Yasmine Hamdan, Aynur, Mabel Matiz and more

2026 Winter & Spring Programme
Including Anohni, Ludovico Einaudi, KODO, Yasmine Hamdan, Aynur and Mabel Matiz

View events and book tickets here;
https://serious.org.uk/whats-on/upcoming-events

As 2026 begins, live music producers Serious are excited to present a vibrant schedule of extraordinary performances across London and beyond. From trailblazing jazz collaborations to boundary-pushing international artists, the first months of the year promise an unmissable series of concerts.

Brooklyn-based trio Tortured Soul kick things off on 22 January at the Jazz Cafe. Fronted by drummer-vocalist John-Christian Urich, they fuse deep grooves, soul, and disco into an irresistible blend of house and funk. With swirling vocals, ecstatic basslines, and dancefloor-ready rhythms, this rare London performance is a chance to see one of the most in-demand dance music bands in an intimate setting.

Now sold out, Yasmine Hamdan performs at EartH Theatre on 12 February, bringing her unique voice and genre-defying sound to London audiences. Having emerged as a pioneering figure in indie electronic music with Soapkills, and following critically acclaimed solo albums including Ya Nass, Al Jamilat, and her latest release I Remember I Forget (September 2025), Hamdan blends Arabic musical traditions with contemporary Western electronic, pop, and folk influences.

On 13 February, Turkish singer-songwriter Mabel Matiz performs at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. A modern-day Ashik, Matiz fuses maqam, Anatolian folk, synth, and urban pop into a sound that is both innovative and deeply poetic. His lyrical mastery and dedication to social justice have earned him a devoted following both in Turkey and internationally.

Brazilian guitarist Fabiano de Nascimento performs at the Jazz Cafe on 23 February. Seamlessly weaving samba, MPB, choro, and jazz with experimental flair, Fabiano’s hypnotic rhythms and inventive melodies showcase the breadth of Brazil’s rich musical heritage.

Swedish multi-instrumentalist Björn Yttling brings his Yttling Jazz project to the Jazz Cafe on 2 March, blending cinematic atmospheres with modern jazz grooves. Best known as the bassist of Peter Bjorn and John and as a producer for artists including Lykke Li, Yttling’s ensemble delivers immersive improvisation alongside tight composition, exploring textures, bold horn lines, and restless rhythm.

Following sold-out Barbican shows in 2024, Japanese taiko drumming ensemble KODO return to the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall on 6 & 7 March with Luminance, a breathtaking fusion of theatre and percussion that brings together its most beloved signature works, refined over decades of world tours. The performance will honour Maki Ishii’s iconic Monochrome on the occasion of its 50th anniversary, while also introducing new pieces inspired by the journeys, encounters, and ideas of KODO’s current members. For the first time in decades, the ensemble also presents original compositions by guest artists from a wide range of genres; musicians they have met and collaborated with around the world.

Jazz luminaries Dave Holland and Lionel Loueke unite for a rare duo performance at Union Chapel on 23 March. Their collaboration celebrates the power of improvisation, blending Loueke’s masterful guitar work with Holland’s resonant bass in an inspiring testament to cultural roots and musical dialogue. Singer-songwriter Aqualung returns to the Jazz Cafe on 31 March for two sets, the first featuring music from Beach Boys’ epic album Pet Sounds and the second his own catalogue.

There are two very special shows to celebrate the 80th of Keith Jarrett at the Barbican, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of his seminal The Köln Concert. Firstly, The Bad Plus join forces with Chris Potter and Craig Taborn on 30 March to portray their inspirations from the music of Jarrett’s American Quartet. On 11 April, pianists Thomas Enhco and Maki Namekawa present a reinvention of Keith Jarrett’s The Köln Concert at the Barbican on 11 April, fusing classical precision with jazz improvisation. Ahead of this show there is a special screening of Keith Jarrett: The Art of Improvisation at the Barbican Cinema at 3:30pm for an intimate look at the legendary pianist.

April brings the mesmerizing voice of Kurdish singer Aynur to the Barbican on 2 April, alongside her acclaimed ensemble, revisiting traditional Kurdish folk music through a modern lens. Canadian pianist and composer Tony Ann headlines a piano pop evening at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 19 April, joined by Van Toan and Louisiana Bloom. On 23 April, Grammy-winning guitarist Bill Frisell and multi-instrumentalist Eyvind Kang perform a selection of original compositions and inspired improvisations at Cadogan Hall.

Eco-feminist visionary Anohni returns to the Barbican on 23 April for an intimate concert set against her original films, while Italian composer Ludovico Einaudi embarks on a UK solo piano tour from 23 April to 8 May, performing his most loved works alongside deep cuts in an intimate setting.

The Barbican hosts Cuban virtuoso Roberto Fonseca on 13 May, celebrating the golden era of Cuban music in a dazzling orchestral show, followed by guitar virtuoso Julian Lage at the Royal Festival Hall on 15 May, showcasing the artistry and innovation that has earned him five GRAMMY nominations and widespread acclaim.

SERIOUS Winter & Spring 2026 Programme

22 Jan – Tortured Soul – Jazz Cafe
12 Feb – Yasmine Hamdan – EartH Theatre
13 Feb – Mabel Matiz – Royal Festival Hall
23 Feb – Fabiano de Nascimento – Jazz Cafe
2 Mar – Yttling Jazz – Jazz Cafe
6 & 7 Mar – KODO – Royal Festival Hall
23 Mar – Dave Holland & Lionel Loueke – Union Chapel
30 Mar – The Bad Plus, Chris Potter & Craig Taborn – Jazz Cafe
31 Mar – Aqualung – Jazz Cafe
2 Apr – Aynur – Barbican
11 Apr – The Köln Concert – Barbican
19 Apr – Piano pop starring Tony Ann – Theatre Royal Drury Lane
23 Apr – Bill Frisell & Eyvind Kang – Cadogan Hall
23 Apr – Anohni: Wilderness – Barbican
23 Apr – 8 May – Ludovico Einaudi Solo Piano Tour
13 May – Roberto Fonseca – Barbican
15 May – Julian Lage – Royal Festival Hall

Serious is one of the UK’s leading producers of live jazz, international and new music through concerts, festivals, tours, digital shows, talent development schemes, learning and participation programmes, and bespoke events for all.