East Bank launches major festival celebrating Black British Music across London

East Bank has announced *The Music is Black Festival*, an eight-month celebration of Black British music set to take place across Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2026. The free festival will run from June to September, featuring four themed weekends of live music, dance, and performance curated by leading Black British artists, DJs, and creatives. The four weekends are *The Music is Ours* (13–14 June), *Power and Respect* (11–12 July), *Queer Frequencies* (22–23 August), and *Black to the Future* (12–13 September). Events will span two outdoor stages—The Waterfront Stage and Mid Terrace—while Sadler’s Wells East will host *The Dance Floor Is Black*, a social dance program with artist-led nights and family activities. Inspired by *V&A East Museum’s* upcoming exhibition *The Music is Black: A British Story*, the festival explores Black music’s impact on British culture, identity, fashion, and creativity. Curators include Footsie, Jamz Supernova, Yazmin Lacey, FLOHIO, and Shy One, ensuring a diverse representation of Black British musical traditions. Tamsin Ace, East Bank’s leader, called the festival a landmark collaboration across London’s arts institutions. Lead curator Gillian Jackson emphasized the festival’s goal to showcase the breadth of Black music in Britain, offering attendees a bold, unprecedented experience. All outdoor events are free, with optional registration available through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park’s official channels. The festival aligns with East Bank’s mission to connect cultural institutions with local communities in east London through arts, learning, and creativity.