The prestigious K-Music Festival is set to return to London next month for its 12th edition, bringing together an exceptional lineup of Korean and British artists who will showcase the rich diversity of contemporary Korean music. The festival, which has become a cornerstone event for Korean music in the UK, will feature performances ranging from experimental collaborations to world premieres at some of London's most renowned venues.
Organized by the Korean Cultural Centre UK in partnership with Serious, the producers behind the acclaimed EFG London Jazz Festival, this year's event will run from October 1 through November 20. The festival will take place at major London venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Kings Place, the Barbican, and Southbank Centre, providing audiences with unique opportunities to experience cutting-edge performances that blend traditional Korean elements with contemporary sounds.
Since its inception in 2013, the K-Music Festival has established itself as a premier platform for Korean musicians in the UK, consistently exploring the fascinating intersections of tradition, jazz, and experimental music. This year's edition continues this tradition with an ambitious program featuring concerts that span improvisation, orchestral post-rock, and jazz-influenced chamber works, demonstrating the evolving landscape of Korean contemporary music.
The festival opens on October 1 at Kings Place in the heart of King's Cross, where Korean cellist and composer Lee Ok-kyung will perform in collaboration with UK-based electronic artist Mark Fell, an influential figure in digital art and experimental music. This opening performance sets the tone for the festival's commitment to cross-cultural artistic collaboration and innovative musical expression.
One of the festival's most anticipated events takes place on October 5 at the Barbican, where Seoul-based post-rock band Jambinai will deliver a groundbreaking performance. Known for their distinctive approach to blending Korean traditional instruments with contemporary sounds, Jambinai will team up with the London Contemporary Orchestra under the baton of conductor Robert Ames, promising an unforgettable fusion of Eastern and Western musical traditions.
The programming continues with several debut performances and special collaborations throughout October. Korean string trio Hilgeum will make their London debut on October 18 at the Purcell Room at Southbank Centre, performing alongside British vocalist and composer Alice Zawadzki. Following this, composer and multi-instrumentalist Park Ji-ha will deliver a special solo performance on October 25 at the Royal Albert Hall's intimate Elgar Room.
November brings some of the festival's most ambitious and theatrical presentations. On November 14, composer Won Il will present his multi-disciplinary performance "Dionysus Robot" at Queen Elizabeth Hall, a compelling fusion of tradition and modernity that combines Korean shamanic music, contemporary electronics, and live performance. This ritualistic exploration of instinct, control, and transformation will feature drag artist Mo Ji-min, honoring both the philosophy of Dionysus and the artistic legacy of renowned Korean-American artist Paik Nam-june, creating an immersive and theatrical experience for audiences.
The following evening, November 15, will see the quartet Gray by Silver take the stage at Royal Albert Hall's Elgar Room as part of the Late Night Jazz series. Led by pianist and composer Lee Han-bin, the group has gained recognition for their sophisticated approach to combining jazz, traditional Korean music, and classical influences, representing the new generation of Korean musicians pushing creative boundaries.
The festival reaches its crescendo on November 20 with a world premiere at Barbican Hall that represents a major milestone in Korean classical music. Internationally acclaimed pianist Cho Seong-jin will perform the world premiere of a new concerto composed by Shin Dong-hoon, accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra under the direction of conductor Gianandrea Noseda. This closing performance not only showcases the highest levels of Korean musical artistry but also demonstrates the festival's role in commissioning and presenting new works that will shape the future of Korean contemporary classical music.
