For the complete festival experience, choose the full-day pass. You will have access to the entire programme at Kings Place from the morning sessions through to the unforgettable finale with DJ Spoony.

Opening with a keynote from Dr Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, this event moves through a range of powerful musical expressions, from the rich, expressive works of Louise Farrenc and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, performed by the Sabi Ensemble, to the innovative fusion of Simmy Singh, whose violin and electronics blend classical, jazz, folk, and experimental sound worlds.

Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves – A dynamic panel discussion moderated by Paulette Bayley (Sub Principal Second Violinist, The Hallé), featuring Amanda Baldwin, Carol Leeming, and Rianna Henriques. They share insights and experiences as Black women in classical music, exploring creativity, representation, and breaking barriers in the industry.

Children & Young People’s Workshop Performance – A vibrant sharing session led by acclaimed Black British composer Pete Letanka, showcasing music-making and self-expression from young participants in a series of closed workshops via Music in Secondary Schools Trust (MiSST). Expect energy, originality, and pride as the next generation takes to the stage.

New Works: From Historical to Hip-Hop – a thrilling programme that journeys from Coleridge-Taylor and Farrenc to contemporary fusions of jazz, folk, and electronics, Bringing the session to a thrilling close, The Jollof House Party Opera serves up a spicy mix of opera and hip-hop in a high-energy, hybrid performance. Co-produced by Music Theatre Wales and FIO, this is opera, but not as you know it.This performance invites you to experience new voices and fresh narratives rooted in both tradition and transformation.

The Next Movement – Presented as part of Classically Black 2025 and sponsored by Warner Classics, this showcase features the next generation of composers and performers shaping tomorrow’s sound. Expect passion, originality, and the unmistakable spark of what’s to come. Performers include Michael Howell, Mebrakh Haughton-Johnson, Hoda Jahanpour, Teddy Otieno, and Zara Antonia Williams.

I Bring You Garage: BLiM’s 5th Anniversary Celebration with DJ Spoony,  Celebrates five incredible years of Black Lives in Music with a night of feel-good music, big tunes, and pure vibes. This special anniversary party features live performances from Kele Le Roc, Lifford, MC Ranking, MC Viper, Thomas Jules, and Romina Johnson. Expect the best of UK Garage and classic hits in a night of energy, joy, and musical excellence of Black Lives in Music.

Your full-day pass ensures you don’t miss a moment, from the opening conversations to the dancefloor.

This event will last for approximately 10 hours and 15 minutes with intervals throughout the day.

About Black Lives in Music

Talent is distributed evenly, opportunities are not! Black Lives in Music addresses the current inequality of opportunity for Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse people aspiring to be artists or professionals in the Jazz and Classical music industry. Black Lives in Music believes in real equality for Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse people to learn musical instruments at grassroots level and to allow them to pursue and realise their musical ambitions.

Black Lives in Music is made up of over 100 partners who are all working towards the same goal: to dismantle structural racism in our industry. We aim to support the industry in providing better professional opportunities. We also want to achieve equality for Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse professionals at all levels and in all areas of the UK Jazz and Classical industry. Representation matters, we need to take action together and create a level playing field for everyone to have an equal chance to succeed.