South Asian Sounds – July 2026
Asian Arts Agency are delighted to be working with Southbank Centre for the third consecutive year on the acclaimed South Asian Sounds series.
Jaswinder Singh, Director, Asian Arts Agency said
”Since its launch in 2024, our partnership with Southbank Centre has gone from strength to strength, producing multiple events celebrating a rich spectrum of South Asian music and cultural expression. This year our programme features a particularly exciting line-up, with concerts from Raghu Dixit, alongside a special homage to Zakir Hussain led by Talvin Singh.
These milestone concerts underscore Asian Arts Agency’s commitment to broadening artistic horizons across the UK.”
Jane Beese, Head of Contemporary Music, Southbank Centre, said “
We are delighted to continue our partnership with Asian Arts Agency for the third edition of the South Asian Sounds festival. As a founding partner of the festival, Asian Arts Agency and its CEO, Jaswinder Singh, have played a significant role in supporting and shaping the development of the programme since its inception.
As a nationally significant South Asian music organisation, their programming expertise, cultural insight and strong relationships with artists have been invaluable in bringing outstanding South Asian music and contemporary cultural experiences to Southbank Centre audiences.
RAGHU DIXIT
Friday 3 July, Queen Elizabeth Hall
One of India’s most exciting and globally loved live performers, blending Indian folk roots with modern, genre-crossing sounds, Raghu Dixit’s music is joyful, uplifting, and made to be felt—whether you know every lyric or you’re hearing it for the first time.
From Glastonbury to ‘Later… with Jools Holland’, from massive crowds in India to audiences around the world, Raghu Dixit’s live shows are known for their energy, emotion, and pure feel-good vibes.
✨ Expect big melodies, infectious rhythms, and songs that stay with you long after the final note.
“One of India’s most inventive and charismatic artists.” (Guardian)
Raghu Dixit said:
“I’m so excited to perform at South Asian Sounds this year. The festival has been curated with much care and love by Asian Arts Agency and I can’t wait to return to the wonderful Southbank Centre, of which I have so many memories.
London has always embraced our music with so much love and was one of the first champions of my work, and I’m really looking forward to returning – singing, sharing, and celebrating together once again. I’ll be bringing a lot of new material this time – songs from my new album, some independent singles and a lot more. Please be there with your entire family!”
TALVIN SINGH: Shradhanjali – a homage to Zakir Hussain
Saturday 4 July, Queen Elizabeth Hall
Talvin Singh presents an extraordinary evening of rhythm, improvisation, and global musical dialogue.
Shradhanjali honours the enduring legacy of the legendary tabla maestro Zakir Hussain – the pioneering force who, since the 1990s, brought together the world’s finest percussionists in a spirit of collaboration, virtuosity, and innovation, under the title Masters of Percussion.
This special concert, Shradhanjali, continues that tradition with a stellar lineup; Talvin Singh is joined by Marcus Gilmore (drums), Ananthan R Krishnan (mridangam), Satin Singh (multi-percussion) and special guest Tom Rogerson (piano).
A rare opportunity to witness master musicians in conversation, Shradhanjali is both a tribute and a living continuation of a revolutionary musical vision.
Talvin Singh said:
”My deepest gratitude to Asian Arts Agency for gracing me for this opportunity to pay a tribute to the most influential musicians of our world of music.
We are very much looking forward to bringing this personal homage to Ustad Zakir Hussian, Shradanjali, to London this summer at the Southbank Centre.”
