The return of live music, and more! Southwark events for your diary

The recent easing of lockdown has resulted in one of the things we’re most excited about – the return of live music and events! Music venues, clubs, and theatres – which operated with reduced capacities – have all been hit exceptionally hard by lockdown, with some venues across the UK having to close down entirely.

With this in mind, and to encourage people to get out and support their local artists and cultural scene, we’ve put together a list of some of the most exciting shows in the Southwark events calendar in the next few weeks.

Intimate café-style venue Temple of Art and Music is a ten minute walk from Elephant and Castle along Newington Causeway. It will host the return of legendary afro rock pioneers Osibisa, as they bring their unique fusion of rock, highlife, jazz, funk, and Latin music. Founded in 1969, the band have been releasing music prolifically since, and will launch their latest album New Dawn at this South London show. Tickets available here.

Paying tribute to the belle époque of Paris in the late 19^th century Paris; restaurant, piano room and jazz club Toulouse Lautrec has live music and entertainment seven days a week, covering jazz, funk, soul, blues, cabaret, burlesque, big bands and theatre. On Saturday 4^th September, bringing some huge powerhouse vocals to the intimate venue, London’s Queen of Swing Aydenne Simon & the Big Mama Trio is one you do not want to miss. Tickets are available here.

A short walk from Elephant & Castle station is The Roebuck, a bustling and lively pub with local beer on tap, and a freshly prepared, sustainably sourced food menu. Away from the buzz of the pub’s seated area however, is the cosy upstairs lounge. Full of period fixtures and charm, the room is host to regular poetry reading nights run by local independent publisher and press, Eighty Seven. The 8^th September event will feature talented published poets such as Fran Lock, Andrea Brady, and Forward Prize winner Vahni Capildeo, among others. Tickets available here.

With lockdown getting in the way of June’s Pride Month celebrations, we’ve had to wait until a little later in the year to get our Pride on. And where better to do it than in SE17’s very own Ministry of Sound, the Elephant and Castle nightlife stalwart. DJ Fat Tony and Ministry of Sound have teamed up, presenting a Pride event like no other. This epic party in celebration of equality and pride will feature performances from drag performers Jodie Harsh and Raven Mandella, and more acts to be announced. Tickets available here.

Opened in 1993, the Southwark Playhouse has established itself as a leading London studio theatre. Its programme features contemporary productions of classic theatre, as well as the latest off-West End shows and work from theatre’s emerging talents. After a five-star run at Greenwich Playhouse in 2019, Oscar Wilde’s thrilling and provocative masterpiece Salomé will soon open at Southwark Playhouse, in what promises to be a stunning production in one of the best Southwark events spaces. Tickets available here.