(Image: The Molotovs at King’s Cross Summer Sounds opening night on August 13, 2026. Photo credit ©Olly Bromidge)
Ashaine White selected ‘Life on Mars’ for her set, and said: “Summer Sounds was such a fun show. It’s so much fun to be able to play songs from my new debut album on home turf. Free music shows are vital to the future of creativity, so I’m always honoured to play a small part in one.
“‘Life on Mars’ is one of Bowie’s most beautiful songs – I think in the current state of the world it still rings true on how it feels for a young artist to watch the world through screens in a mixture of confusion and disappointment, still though, trying to shine some light, provide a voice to speak on issues we face, and have hope in what the future may bring. Bowie inspires artists like me to be ourselves, boldly and proudly!”
The former frontman of The Magic Gang, Jack Kaye performed tracks from his debut EP, Go Easy, including singles ‘Dora’ and ‘The Weight’, along with Bowie’s ‘Heroes’.
Kaye said: “Bowie was uncompromising and unflinching. He wasn’t afraid of failure, which is what made him so great. ‘Heroes’ is undeniably one of the best songs ever written. It was so fun to get a chance to cover it.
“My EP, Go Easy, is out Friday (14th August). Playing it to an outdoor London crowd on a summer evening felt like the perfect way to welcome those songs into the world.”
From now until 23 August, King’s Cross celebrates the return of one of London’s most inclusive FREE music, dance and performance festival, showcasing a stellar line-up of acts that seamlessly blends the world’s best folk, jazz, soul, classical and indie rock music.
This year’s Summer Sounds line-up also includes: a celebratory showcase marking 35 years of pioneering jazz development charity Tomorrow’s Warriors; Americana with a twist with Little Grandad; indie pop and RnB from Len Blake and five mass community choirs on one day including London City Voices and West End Musical Choir performing a variety of musical showstoppers and pop mashups.
Further highlights include Queer Britain and Sounds Queer championing diverse voices and sounds from across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum with performances from Kimmy Beatbox, Dyan Tai, Thandi Phoenix, Arno Sacco and Bessi; and the English Folk Dance & Song Society showcase with global folk from Mishra and progressive instrumental folk from Pons Aelius.
Full programme line-up: https://www.kingscross.co.uk/event/summer-sounds-music-festival
Summer Sounds is the centrepiece of Escape in London, King’s Cross’ relaxed summer season of free and affordable cultural moments designed for unhurried hours in one of the rare central London neighbourhoods. From watching live music under open skies at Summer Sounds and enjoying sunset views by the canal, to exploring makers’ markets, discovering new flavours and spending time with friends, King’s Cross offers countless ways to escape without leaving the city.
With vibrant shopping, dining and leisure all in one laid-back setting, brands across the neighbourhood are celebrating summer in true King’s Cross fashion. At Bubala, a special Bubala Knows Best set menu brings different delicious dishes to the table every day of the week, while Electric Shuffle is serving up a limited-edition summer cocktail menu.
Lightroom itself will host concerts on 3rd-5th September by acclaimed composer and cellist Peter Gregson, offering a creative response to the work of David Bowie, Brian Eno and their contemporaries in the Berlin era. Surrounded by bespoke new visuals crafted from David Bowie: You’re Not Alone, alongside live camera work, Gregson will play a unique programme which will offer an intimate and immersive concert experience. Tickets are available now.
Plan the ultimate escape in London and discover what’s on at: kingscross.co.uk
King’s Cross
King’s Cross is home to 67 acres of outstanding architecture, destination restaurants and a vibrant cultural scene. At its heart is Coal Drops Yard, the Heatherwick Studio designed shopping district housed within reimagined Victorian industrial buildings. The area combines historic architecture with contemporary design, green spaces and public squares, making it a leading destination for culture, leisure and family experiences in central London.
The estate is managed by The King’s Cross Group, established in 2025 to steward the neighbourhood’s next chapter, ensuring it continues to evolve as a destination shaped by people, culture and community.
www.kingscross.co.uk @kingscrossn1c
Coal Drops Yard
Coal Drops Yard is a vibrant shopping and restaurant district in London’s King’s Cross. Coal Drops Yard was originally established in 1850 to handle the eight million tonnes of coal delivered to the capital each year and was latterly the location of nightclubs Bagley’s and The Cross. The area reopened in October 2018, reinvented by the acclaimed Heatherwick Studio, which has interwoven a contemporary design with the surviving structures and rich ironwork of the original Victorian coal drops.
Located within a reimagined set of historic buildings and arches directly adjacent to Granary Square and Regent’s Canal, Coal Drops Yard houses over fifty stores from a unique mix of established and emerging brands, along with cafés, bars, top independent restaurants and new public spaces.
Arts Trust
Arts Trust Productions is a charity dedicated to creating inclusive, high-impact cultural experiences that empower communities and transform public spaces. Based in the South East, we produce festivals, performances and participatory programmes that celebrate diversity, belonging and support emerging talent, especially in underserved and marginalised communities. With a strong focus on place-making, wellbeing and social cohesion, we partner with national institutions, local councils and grassroots organisations to deliver year-round cultural programmes across London and rural Essex. We actively address social issues such as isolation, youth disconnection and inequality, placing community voice and creative excellence at the heart of everything we do.
Partners:
LIGHTROOM
Lightroom reimagines immersive experiences through groundbreaking collaborations with leading artistic talents across art, music, film, fashion, science, and more. A joint venture between 59 Studio and London Theatre Company, Lightroom was founded in 2023 by Nick Starr CBE and its current CEO, Richard Slaney. The company is backed by investors led by Sir Leonard Blavatnik, who is represented by Danny Cohen, President of Access Entertainment and Mike Sherwood, former co-CEO of Goldman Sachs International. Lightroom’s innovative show space in London, King’s Cross was designed by 59 Studio in collaboration with Haworth Tompkins. Lightroom’s shows are currently playing in venues across South Korea, China, the USA and in Europe via a major new partnership with Culturespaces which sees Lightroom shows presented across Culturespaces’ network of European venues.
Lightroom’s critically acclaimed shows include David Hockney: Bigger & Closer, The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks, and Vogue: Inventing the Runway, and Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs. Current show is David Bowie: You’re Not Alone until 10 January 2027.
Kings Place
Kings Place is an arts centre with a critically-acclaimed music and spoken word programme, the base for a family of ensembles and arts charities, and the home of live podcasting in the UK. Developed from an act of philanthropy in 2009, it has become a venue loved by a diverse range of audiences. We offer captivating, intimate experiences in our halls, no one is lost in the crowd and people find each other in our communal spaces, used freely for meetings, homework, or at the canal-side Rotunda Bar & Restaurant.
Kingsplace.co.uk
@KingsPlaceLondon
The Molotovs
Website: The Molotovs
Socials: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok
Marshall
Marshall unites musicians and music lovers through a shared passion for high-quality sound and built-to-last products. For over sixty years, we’ve amplified the sound of the world’s most talented artists and brought their music to crowds and solo listeners everywhere. That same drive is the foundation of Marshall Records. Our mission is to help fuel the next generation of musicians and provide access to state-of-the-art equipment, a cutting-edge studio, and full label services to help them achieve their full potential.
