London proudly claims one of Europe’s most vibrant and diverse music scenes, and the numbers back it up: in 2023, nearly 7 million music tourists came to the city for gigs, festivals, and events. Big stadium concerts at places like Wembley and massive festivals in Hyde Park attract global icons, but that’s just one layer of London’s soundscape.
What really sets London apart is how its live music scene constantly reinvents itself. The future isn’t just more big shows—it’s found in grassroots initiatives supporting new talent and festivals that double as multi-sensory playgrounds. Creativity and innovation pop up everywhere, thanks to the city’s forward-thinking artists and promoters. London’s evolving music scene isn’t waiting for what’s next; it’s busy building it right now.
The Future Of London’s Music Scene
London’s subcultures have sparked a remarkable array of events and venues, giving the city its thriving creative pulse. Many iconic moments and emerging artists trace their beginnings to grassroots venues—intimate spaces rooted in local spirit and independence. About 80% of artists get their start here, making these venues living bridges between London’s storied past and a future full of new talent.
As London grows, so do its shows. The music scene now pulses with immersive tech, inventive stage designs, and a bold hunger for the new. More venues, like Southbank Centre and Brockwell Live, are piloting low-energy lighting and smart waste management, pushing sustainability to the forefront.
In step, festival energy has shifted too—no longer just DJ marathons or old-school three-dayers. Instead, festivals have become dynamic showcases. There are family-friendly workshops, green marketplaces, and sensory spaces such as City Splash’s family reggae garden and Wide Awake’s eco-conscious pledges, where artists, performers, and crowds come together in unforgettable celebrations. The city’s creative whirlwind is always moving forward.
We’ve rounded up spaces, concerts and festivals so you don’t have to.
Credit: Leo Cackett
Grassroots and Community Events
Jumbi
Jumbi is a HiFI bar in Peckham where records line the walls behind the decks and the glow is always a warm orange. Brought to life by Bradley Zero and Nathanael Williams, it’s a true community hub—one night could mean open decks or a book club, the next, a carefully curated DJ set. Events are always intentional, and the doors are open to everyone. Jumbi is lively, usually free, and has quietly become one of London’s standout grassroots venues, known for putting atmosphere, deep listening, and community first.
Location: Copeland Park, 133 Copeland Rd, London SE15 3SN
Moth Club
Open since 1972 as an ex-servicemen’s club, Moth has become a cornerstone of Hackney’s grassroots scene. Over the years, it’s given a platform to countless young artists and bands, serving as a launchpad for creativity in east London. As one of the few grassroots venues still thriving in Hackney, Moth is a living time capsule—its unique blend of history, community spirit, and support for up-and-coming acts makes it invaluable. The venue relies on local support, and in turn, it continues to nurture the next wave of London talent.
Location: Valette St, London E9 6NU
Downstairs at the Dome
The space in Tufnell Park is a venue for up-and-coming artists who might not have a name yet, letting them take risks and play boundary-pushing sets for curious crowds. There’s no velvet rope—just an open door for anyone with something new to share. It’s this openness and encouragement of fresh talent that keeps London’s music scene feeling alive and truly ahead of the curve.
Location: 178 Junction Rd, London N19 5QQ
Immersive evening concerts
House of Kong
House of Kong is Gorillaz’s way of taking the idea of a concert and running with it, way beyond anything traditional. There’s a full exhibition at Copper Box Arena where you step right into the band’s weird and wonderful animated universe, with art, stories, and interactive digital setups celebrating their 25-year history. What’s really buzzworthy are the limited live shows, where Gorillaz perform entire albums front to back with experimental visuals and staging that blend live music with animation and tech.
Location: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, London E20 3HB
Classical music
Candlelight concerts at Southwark Cathedral
Candlelight concerts in London have become a staple—but there’s a reason for the buzz. Yes, Candlelight has been done, but where else can you witness something as unique as the Original Sessions featuring local artists like Ella Eyre or Bollywood on Strings brought to life in places this historic and atmospheric? Stepping into spaces like Central Hall Westminster, St Mary’s Church, or Southwark Cathedral, the candlelit glow transforms every note and every corner. These concerts are tributes to tradition, talent, and London’s beautiful historic buildings, which we often run past and forget to stop and appreciate.
There’s much more beyond Candlelight on London’s classical scene. Multitudes at Southbank Centre reinvents orchestral concerts with multimedia artistry. For families, the London Symphony Orchestra’s interactive concerts offer playful introductions to classical music, and “A Night at the Movies” sees orchestras perform iconic film scores live.
Music and Light shows
The Drone Art Show
The Drone Art Show is where classical music and technology merge for a truly futuristic experience. As a live string quartet performs works like Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, hundreds of drones take to the sky, forming intricate patterns—flowers, swans, and more—in perfect time with the music. The skies above Sandown Park Racecourse, located just 30 minutes from central London, will be used as the tapestry for art and memories to be made.
Location: Subject to change
ABBA Voyage
It’s hard to miss the stream of friends on Instagram and Facebook decked out in vibrant 70s-inspired ABBA style—but where exactly are they heading? To see ABBA, but not actually them, their ABBAtars. These are lifelike digital avatars of ABBA’s original members, crafted from extensive motion-capture sessions. Five advanced lighting systems blend real and digital effects, enveloping the crowd in a vibrant multimedia spectacle. The result is an emotional, futuristic experience where the music and personality of ABBA shine through cutting-edge production.
Location: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
The Colorbeat Drums: Movie Soundtracks in a Drum Light Show
The Colorbeat Drums is a live drum concert, but it’s nothing like the usual gigs. A team of drummers performs movie soundtracks on LED-lit drums, so every beat triggers bursts of color and light across the stage. Instead of just listening, audiences watch familiar film scores—like Star Trek, Avengers, or How to Train Your Dragon—come alive through synchronized lights and on-stage drum battles.
Location: Shaw Theatre, 100-110 Euston Road, London, NW1 2AJ
Innovative Festivals
Polygon Live LDN
Polygon Live London Festival is pushing boundaries with of its unique approach to live sound and audience experience. Here, you’re surrounded by music—hundreds of speakers and synchronized lights create a total 360° sonic environment that moves and shifts around you in real time. It feels less like a traditional gig and more like stepping inside the music itself, creating a space for artists and fans to interact with sound in a way that’s simply not possible at normal festivals.
Location: Crystal Palace Park
Dubtendo
Dubtendo mixes rave culture with gaming in a way that it is way ahead of its time. Picture dancing to live DJs, then stepping into a retro gaming lounge or joining a Mario Kart competition—all in the same space. The festival breaks tradition by treating games and electronic music as equals. The festival is a playful, interactive scene where different subcultures blend and everyone’s invited to get involved.
Location: Subject to change
Mighty Hoopla
Mighty Hoopla is a festival known for it’s wild, inclusive, and totally immersive nature. You’ll find drag cabaret, queer theatre, and pop legends sharing the stage. The most unique part is how the whole space turns into a playground for self-expression with art installations, unexpected performances, and interactive brand pop-ups everywhere. It’s unapologetically joyful and pushes past the usual festival formula, making space for identities and creative energy you rarely experience elsewhere.
Location: Subject to change
Check out: 40 of the very top music venues in London to see gigs!