Adam writes… We were very heartened here in London to read the Time Out headline: London Named Best City In the World For Culture.
A two-hour bespoke walking tour is an excellent addition to your London day out. Here are just a few of the music-themed events and shows that groups have combined with my bespoke walking tours in recent months…
You’re Not Alone
This celebration of David Bowie’s sounds and visions at Lightroom is far and away the best thing I’ve seen at that venue so far. Great footage interspersed with some wonderful early stills, I spent an amazing afternoon lying back on some plump cushions letting it all wash over me. Booking essential. More HERE.
ABBA Voyage
A very popular option among music fans coming to London. I particularly love the accounts from those who went in cynical and came out dancing. The awesome power of music! Tickets HERE.
The Music is Black
Absolutely fantastic work of curation refocusing the influence of Black musicians, performers and writers on mainstream music. The show begins with a brief but vividly curated look into transatlantic African chattel enslavement and the birth of the African diaspora. This section, though small, is as powerful as a visit to the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool or the DuSable Black History Museum in Chicago. Quite a feat, given they have a fraction of the space here.
From there we go genre-by-genre through the history of popular music (and opera and classical as well). Each new genre, from Lovers Rock to Brit Funk to 2 Tone is introduced by a succinct yet illuminating timeline. The whole thing is a joy. Too many highlights to mention, but who could resist Dame Shirley Bassey‘s golden, shimmering dress from the Oscars, Samuel College Taylor’s conducting batons, Pauline Black’s sharp suit & hat and the letter from Buckingham Palace appointing Errollyn Wallen as Master of the Kings Music.
The book of the exhibition is absolutely fantastic and is currently on sale in hardback for £25 but if you buy it at the V&A East, there’s a £5 discount. And as usual the V&A Staff are so invested in the show – it was great to chat with them at the end, they seem to love it as much as I did. I can’t wait to go back. It’s on for 9 months. Do. Not. Miss. It. More info HERE.
The David Bowie Centre V&A East Storehouse
The David Bowie Is… exhibition at the V&A a few years back has toured the world, bringing huge crowds and plaudits wherever it landed. But now we’ve got a permanent Bowie collection open every day in East London. And there’s a facility to book objects for close, detailed study. A must for any music fan. Booking essential. More info HERE.
The Handel & Hendrix House
Two museums in one, each one an absolute must-see for any cultural trip to London. The Handel House has recently enjoyed a terrific expansion, acquiring the building’s original ground floor and kitchen. The result is the very definition of immersive. The Hendrix Flat is equally fascinating. Browse Jimi’s record collection and see the first guitar he ever touched on British soil. Live music events are staged throughout the year. Keep an eye out for their Late Night events – everything from concerts to go-go dancing workshops in Jimi Hendrix’s bedroom with The Meyer Dancers. Book a visit HERE.
The Royal Albert Hall
I have taken the guided tour here on four occasions now, and can highly recommend it. As I post this, we are coming up to the annual Proms season, an excellent and affordable hop-on point for those looking to begin a journey with orchestral music. Find the programme for The Proms 2026 HERE.
NB. I reviewed all the attractions listed here on paid-for tickets to get the real experience.
For all my schedule tours, tap HERE.
