United Undergroud at the Southbank Centre

Southbank Centre, experimental initiative Ctrl.Alt.Shift, arts development agency British Underground and actor and musician Riz Ahmed / Riz MC will host this unique six-hour mix of music, debate and party, which takes place throughout the spaces of the Queen Elizabeth Hall – including the Front Room, Purcell Room and the roof of the Queen Elizabeth Hall, which has been newly opened as a venue space. The United Underground event features cutting-edge street culture, music, artwork, fanzines and film set against a backdrop of new-school activism focusing on burning contemporary issues including questions of Human Rights in Gaza to the role of new media in the Iranian protests.

Jude Kelly, Artistic Director of Southbank Centre, said: “We are delighted to host United Underground, as part of our ongoing commitment to present the best in emerging artists and new ideas, and build an audience for new talent at the Southbank Centre.”

United Underground features some of London’s hotly tipped live acts, and best-loved underground club nights as well as an impressive lineup of speakers from across the cultural and campaigning spectrum. Confirmed artists include: East London rapper Plan B; British singer, songwriter & producer Mpho; female solo artist Theoretical Girl; Get Cape Wear Cape Fly; Grime MC Bashy; Grime / Afrobeat MC Afrikan Boy; English rapper Professor Green; underground bass warrior Rattus Rattus; DJ Klose One; spoken word artist Shortman; DJ, producer and composer, Gabriel Prokofiev; London based post-punk band The Official Secrets Act; Irish/English hiphopster Maverick Sabre; Southbank Centre first generation Emerging Artists in Residence Nathan Flutebox Lee and Aruba Red; London singer-songwriter Jamie Woon; True Tiger’s live show, Dj Djinn and London club nights, Dirty Canvas featuring Ice Kid, Urban Nerds featuring Illaman and Speakers Corner featuring Lowkey.

Confirmed speakers include: Writer and director of Kidulthood and Adulthood, Noel Clarke; members of legal and human rights charity Reprieve; award-winning film director Peter Kosminsky; Ali Alizadeh, speaking about the recent protests in Iran and the opportunity and limits of new media in direct action; founders of city-wide initiative  London 4 London; London Coalition Against Poverty; rural campaign group Countryside Alliance; the chair of Iraqi LGBT, Ali Hili and Tom Dale, who was a human shield in Gaza.

United Underground features screenings of new short film talent gathered by Film London talent spotters, plus feature films from Andy Serkis and Eran Creevey in the Purcell Room, including films Shifty, Rendition and The Age Of Stupid. 

Ctrl.Alt.Shift will be putting together a fanzine, in real time, documenting the night with contributions from the audience, as well as contributions from activists and artists.