_ Photo © John Sturrock
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From 7 – 17 August, Coal Drops Yard will celebrate the return of London’s most inclusive FREE music, dance and performance festival, showcasing a stellar line-up of acts from the past decade
The event features world-renowned flamenco guitarist Paco Peña, who opened the show 10 years ago, MOBO award-winning British saxophonist YolanDa Brown and Indie-rock, dance and pop fusion band Absolutely Anytime.
— Chrissy Cullen, Place Marketing Director at King’s Cross
London’s highly anticipated **FREE **music and performance festival, King’s Cross Summer Sounds is making a grand return this summer, marking its 10th anniversary with an extraordinary lineup of the best performances from the past decade, plus unforgettable anniversary events.
From 7-17 August, King’s Cross will come alive with a diverse programme that seamlessly blends the world’s best folk, jazz, classical and experimental music with dynamic dance performances and exceptional local talent – all set against the backdrop of the iconic Coal Drops Yard.
This year's festival celebrates some of the most popular acts from the past 10 years, including the world-renowned flamenco guitarist and composer, Paco Peña, who was part of the first event in 2015 and kicks off this year’s festival, as well as new names such as Sam Wilkinson, winner of The Voice Kids 2019 and Brass Rascals, the UK’s leading brass band for drum and bass, garage, house, dancehall and pop.
Further highlights include indie rockers Absolutely Anytime on Friday 8 August and a celebration of everything folk on Sunday 17 August, with performances from National Youth Folk Ensemble, Brimstone, Bhangra Ceilidh and Urban Folk Quartet.
_— Martin Collins, Festival Director _
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The 10th anniversary edition features 11 days of music, dance, puppetry, and for the first time, sculpture, creating a spirit of celebration in the heart of London that unites people from all walks of life.
Cementing its position as London’s most inclusive free music festival,King’s Cross Summer Sounds will deliver live concerts every evening from 6:30pm – 8:30pm and from 1pm – 6pm on ‘Family Sundays’. There will also be a loop so that the hearing impaired can hear through their hearing aids, as well as a designated area for people with limited mobility.
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FESTIVAL PROGRAMME (times to be confirmed):
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Thursday 7 August – Paco Peña: Solera reunites Paco Peña and his long-term collaborator, Jude Kelly CBE, for an exploration of artistic wisdom and the fearlessness of youth in search of new expression. This new production features both young and mature performers, demonstrating that age is an essential element in the process of turning raw artistic talent into a refined art-form.
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Friday 8 August – Sam Wilkinson, Absolutely Anytime: Sam Wilkinson, a 19-year-old singer-songwriter from South London, will captivate audiences with his debut project, Everything’s Alright. Absolutely Anytime will also ignite the stage with a sound that mixes indie-rock, dance and pop elements.
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Friday 8 August - Sunday 10 August – Fire Songs: A magical performance of epic sensory experiences and original music performed in collaboration with the King’s Cross Summer Sounds Choir. This event is for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) and their carers, friends and families. Tickets are available via https://www.kingscross.co.uk/event/summer-sounds-music-festival
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Saturday 9 August – An evening of songs from the shows: Join West End star Daniel Boys plus guest for an amazing evening of musical theatre. With songs from some of hit shows including Les Misérables, Mamma Mia, West Side Story, Phantom of the Opera, Wicked and Grease.
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Sunday 10 August – Jazz-inspired Family Sunday with Voices Radio and Abram Wilson: Voices Radio and Abram Wilson have curated a vibrant showcase of emerging and established artists, complete with live performances and an industry panel discussion—all designed to nurture and empower the next generation of jazz musicians.
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Monday 11 August – Yshee Black, Rosa Cecilia, Barbs, APW: Yshee Black will host an evening featuring Rosa Cecilia, Barbs and APW. Rosa Cecilia merges captivating Latin rhythms, soulful melodies and modern pop influences. Barbs will dazzle with classical music, chaos, charisma and campness. APW blends smooth R&B, pop and soul with lush harmonies, jazzy guitar melodies and grooving basslines.
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Tuesday 12 August – Joe Stilgoe: Joe Stilgoe, an internationally acclaimed singer, pianist and songwriter, returns to celebrate the 10-year anniversary. His live performances blend original songs and timeless classics, echoing influences from Danny Kaye to Nat King Cole.
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Wednesday 13 August – Brass Rascals: Brass Rascals are the UK’s leading brass band for drum and bass, garage, house, dancehall and pop. Made up of top London session musicians, they bring raw energy to every performance.
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Thursday 14 August – Triptic & Guests: Triptic is the fantastic new trio from Greg Lawson, Phil Alexander and Mario Caribé. Dramatic tango meets joyful klezmer and folk-infused originals, wrapped up in irresistible jazz and Latin grooves.
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Friday 15 August – YolanDa Brown: A Bob Marley tribute: In honour of Bob Marley’s 80th birthday in 2025, double MOBO Award-winning saxophonist, YolanDa Brown has crafted an extraordinary tribute album that breathes new life into Marley’s timeless songs.
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Saturday 16 August – English National Opera: The ENO will perform timeless arias and captivating operatic pieces, showcasing their exceptional talent and artistry.
Sunday 17 August – Folk Family Sunday with National Youth Folk Ensemble, Brimstone - The Dragon, Bhangra Ceilidh, Gadarene: The English Folk Dance and Song Society presents an afternoon of glorious, diverse and upbeat folk music. Performances include National Youth Folk Ensemble, Brimstone - The Dragon, Bhangra Ceilidh and Gadarene.
FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
Featured
[
Aug 17](/events/gadarene)
17 August 2025
17 August 2025
Gadarene take old English tunes, add their own sprinkling of ideas, modern dance grooves and music production to revitalise and energise these stunning tunes into something new.
17 August 2025
[
Aug 17](/events/national-youth-folk-ensemble)
17 August 2025
17 August 2025
The National Youth Folk Ensemble brings together 22 talented young folk musicians from across England.
17 August 2025
[
Aug 17](/events/bhangra-ceilidh)
17 August 2025
17 August 2025
Under band leader and composer Kuljit Bhamra MBE, with a dazzling lineup of musicians, the live sounds of tabla, melodeon and fiddle meld in a cross-cultural aural treat!
17 August 2025
[
Aug 17](/events/brass-rascals-fgyrl-wc7at)
17 August 2025
17 August 2025
Brass Rascals (AKA Brasscals) are a band composed of session musicians that tour with different artists and play in the London and UK music scene.
17 August 2025
[
Aug 16](/events/quern-s4lg6-8fdxf)
16 August 2025
Leading Young British Opera Singers: Associated to English National Opera
16 August 2025
Performances by leading young artists from English National Opera.
16 August 2025
[
Aug 16](/events/workshop-thza4)
16 August 2025
16 August 2025
Join us for a free 20min Flamenco workshop on Saturdays, 4pm - 6pm at Lewis Cubitt Square.
16 August 2025
[
Aug 15](/events/quern-s4lg6-2xkhe)
15 August 2025
15 August 2025
YolanDa Brown Presents: A Bob Marley Tribute
In honor of Bob Marley’s 80th birthday in 2025, double MOBO Award-winning saxophonist YolanDa Brown has crafted an extraordinary tribute album that breathes new life into Marley’s timeless songs.
15 August 2025
[
Aug 14](/events/brass-rascals-fgyrl-w4mce)
14 August 2025
14 August 2025
TRIPTIC is the fantastic new trio from Greg Lawson (Grit Orchestra), Phil Alexander (Firelight Trio), and Mario Caribé (Playtime).
14 August 2025
[
Aug 13](/events/brass-rascals-fgyrl)
13 August 2025
13 August 2025
Brass Rascals (AKA Brasscals) are a band composed of session musicians that tour with different artists and play in the London and UK music scene.
13 August 2025
[
Aug 12](/events/quern-s4lg6-2xkhe-fbb5n-zsg9a-jg4d8-4yth3-t2amd)
12 August 2025
12 August 2025
Joe Stilgoe, an internationally acclaimed singer, pianist, and songwriter, returns to our festival to celebrate our 10-year anniversary. The youngest of five, with two musician parents including TV personality Richard Stilgoe, Joe has carved out his own path in jazz and beyond
12 August 2025
[
Aug 11](/events/rosa-cecilia)
11 August 2025
11 August 2025
_Rosa Cecilia _is a London-born artist with Chilean-Italian roots. Raised in a trilingual household and influenced by Latin rhythms, soul, disco, jazz and pop, her music transcends borders, capturing the essence of her multicultural identity.
11 August 2025
[
Aug 11](/events/ysheeblack)
11 August 2025
11 August 2025
Yshee Black (pronounced whYSHEE BLACK) is known for curating and hosting her own lipsync competition in her home city of Birmingham aptly named The Church of Yshee from 2017-2022.
11 August 2025
[
Aug 11](/events/ysheeblack-647je)
11 August 2025
11 August 2025
Prepare to be dazzled by the drag extraordinaire herself, as she takes to the stage with Queer Britain and Sounds Queer. Expect classical music, chaos, charisma and utter camp-ness all in one go.
11 August 2025
[
Aug 11](/events/ysheeblack-647je-466lf)
11 August 2025
11 August 2025
Already hailed as an "R&B Powerhouse" by BBC, NOCTIS, and CLOUT, APW is a dynamic songwriter and vocalist with a stratospheric range and razor-sharp lyrical honesty.
11 August 2025
[
Aug 10](/events/quern-s4lg6-2xkhe-fbb5n-zsg9a-jg4d8-c8tfr)
10 August 2025
10 August 2025
Jazz Inspired Family Sunday
10 August 2025
[
Aug 9](/events/quern-s4lg6-2xkhe-fbb5n)
9 August 2025
9 August 2025
Daniel Boys Presents: Songs from the Shows
Prepare for a truly unforgettable night of musical theatre magic! Renowned West End performer Daniel Boys—currently starring as King George III in the West End production of Hamilton—will curate an exquisite evening celebrating the greatest hits from the world of musical theatre. Joined by three of his talented West End friends, Daniel promises to transport you straight to London’s Theatreland with a dazzling array of showstoppers.
9 August 2025
[
Aug 9](/events/workshop)
9 August 2025
9 August 2025
Join us for a free 20min Flamenco workshop on Saturdays, 4pm - 6pm at Lewis Cubitt Square.
9 August 2025
[
Aug 8](/events/samwilkinson)
8 August 2025
8 August 2025
Sam Wilkinson, a 19-year-old singer-songwriter from South London, is set to captivate audiences with his debut project, Everything’s Alright, a milestone in a year full of firsts. Having immersed himself in music from an early age, Sam began learning guitar at eight, tackling Cat Stevens and Beatles classics before discovering his own voice through songwriting at just 12.
8 August 2025
[
Aug 8](/events/quern-s4lg6-2xkhe-fbb5n-9d6xr)
8 August 2025
8 August 2025
Absolutely Anytime was born in London in 2024 and is igniting the scene with a sound that mixes Indie-rock, dance & pop elements, shown within their debut single ‘Sunday School’ which was shortly followed by ‘Stars and Disasters’ & ‘Say What U Want!’.
8 August 2025
[
Aug 8](/events/brass-rascals-fgyrl-w4mce-erzgm)
8 August 2025 - 10 August 2025
8 August 2025 - 10 August 2025
TRIPTIC is the fantastic new trio from Greg Lawson (Grit Orchestra), Phil Alexander (Firelight Trio), and Mario Caribé (Playtime).
8 August 2025 - 10 August 2025
[
Aug 7](/events/quern-s4lg6-2xkhe-fbb5n-zsg9a)
7 August 2025
7 August 2025
Solera reunites Paco Peña and his long term collaborator, director Jude Kelly, for an exploration of artistic wisdom and the fearlessness of youth in search for new expression
7 August 2025