Sounds Queer champions diverse voices and sounds from across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Yshee Black will host an evening featuring Kimmy Beatbox, one of the UK’s top beatboxers, and a DJ set from Sounds Queer founder Toby Corton. Dyan Tai makes electronic hyperpop music fused with Beijing opera, Southeast Asian soundscapes and Y2k Poppunk nostalgia. Arno Sacco is a rising figure within the new wave of European R&B and Bessi is a jazz & soul artist, known for their lyricism that swims between tenderness & fast pace. This evening is part of Summer Sounds 2026.

Summer Sounds 2025 – photo credit: John Sturrock

More About Summer Sounds

Summer Sounds runs from 13 – 23 August 13, as King’s Cross hosts the 11th edition of the festival. This festival presents music, dance, and performance, and is completely free. This year’s lineup highlights 35 years of influential jazz from Tomorrow’s Warriors and the uplifting sounds of the Motown Gospel Choir. The festival also features a cross-cultural concert showcasing exceptional artists from South Asia and the Middle East, including the Aga Khan Music Programme.

Nestled in the picturesque Coal Drops Yard, you´ll enjoy a diverse blend of folk, jazz, soul, classical, and indie rock, complemented by dynamic dance performances. Summer Sounds serves as the centrepiece of the “Escape in London” initiative, designed for leisurely summer experiences in this calm, green neighbourhood.

Festival highlights include five mass community choirs, including London City Voices, and performances from Queer Britain and Sounds Queer, showcasing talents like Kimmy Beatbox and Thandi Phoenix. The English Folk Dance & Song Society will also showcase global folk music from Mishra and progressive sounds from Pons Aelius.

The Summer Sounds festival runs for 11 days. There will be live concerts every evening from 6:30pm to 8:30pm and family-friendly sessions on Sundays. Summer Sounds is accessible, featuring hearing loops and designated areas for people with limited mobility.