Contemporary music highlights for Brighton Festival 2025 feature big names, epic female artists and exciting global talent
Guest Director Anoushka Shankar will be performing her new album Chapter III: We Return to Light for the first time in the UK. Our exciting line-up of strong female talent also includes Arooj Aftab and Nadine Shah.
Electronic artist Max Cooper is bringing his groundbreaking new immersive show and look out for exciting new collaborations and global artists including Aruna Sairam & Ganavya, Amadou & Mariam and Seckou Keita.
And for the party animals, we have late-nights with Shiva Soundsystem’s Nerm & Friends and London DJ/producer Ahadadream .
UK premiere by Anoushka Shankar
Anoushka Shankar will perform her brand-new album Chapter III: We Return to Light for the first time in the UK in Brighton Dome Concert Hall on Sunday 25 May. This performance marks the culmination of her recent trilogy of mini-albums; following Chapter I: Forever, For Now and Chapter II: How Dark it is Before Dawn. Her new album completes the cycle, looking towards a new dawn – a time of strength, wisdom and change.
Grammy winning, genre breaking
Grammy-award winning Pakistani-American vocalist, Arooj Aftab also graces the Concert Hall stage on Wednesday 7 May. Renowned for her mesmerising live performances and defiance of genre boundaries, she has earned worldwide acclaim, including a Grammy for ‘Best Global Music Performance’.
Hypnotising vocals
Mercury Prize-nominated singer songwriter Nadine Shah brings her sensational vocals and raw, emotional power to the Concert Hall on Saturday 24 May, fresh from her acclaimed fifth album Filthy Underneath and tours with Depeche Mode and Young Fathers.
A sublime soundscape
On Saturday 10 May, ground-breaking electronic artist Max Cooper brings his most ambitious show yet to the Concert Hall: an immersive experience of luminous sculptures created with projections, lights and lasers accompanying his legendary ambient and beat-driven soundscapes.
African joy
Known for their joyful creativity, Malian duo and blind couple Amadou & Mariam combine infectious rhythms, hypnotic melodies and sweet vocals on Monday 5 May; and sensational Senegalese musician Seckou Keita rallies an all-star line-up of fellow countryfolk on Wednesday 14 May to perform his latest release Homeland: Chapter 1 in a vibrant celebration, exploring identity and belonging in native lands and as migrants.
Two legends for one night only
Aruna Sairam is an icon within the Indian classical tradition; on Monday 12 May she performs alongside New York-born, South India-raised rising star and leading light from the new generation, Ganavya. Described by the Wall Street Journal as “one of modern music's most compelling vocalists,” Ganavya melds traditional sounds with spiritual jazz to create an otherworldly experience.
Party people
Late-night parties include British-Pakistani, London-based DJ and producer Ahadadream’s opening party at The Old Market on Saturday 3 May. His trademark percussive energy has seen him collaborate with such star DJs as Skrillex, Four Tet and Jamie XX. And on Sunday 25 May, Shiva Soundsystem's founder Nerm brings his friends and top-secret star guests to the decks for a super special closing party for Brighton Festival 2025.
Chapter III and Aruna Sairam & Ganavya supported by the Bagri Foundation
Nadine Shah, Max Cooper and Amadou & Mariam supported by Graves Son & Pilcher
